Majia Village Introduction
Maja Village's ancestors, like President Ma Ying-jeou's ancestors, come from Fufeng County, Shaanxi Province. In the 82nd year of the Republic of China, Mr. Ma Ying-jeou met Professor Ma Chuan-zheng from the National Police University, who is the 21st generation descendant of the Ma family in Fufeng Hall. Through their conversation, they discovered that their ancestors hailed from the same region, and Professor Ma is a generation above Mr. Ma Ying-jeou. It was later understood that the ancestors of Maja Village migrated from Fufeng County in Shaanxi Province through several relocations before settling in Guangdong and then Taiwan, whereas President Ma's ancestors moved from Fufeng County to Hunan before settling in Taiwan. Thus, Maja Village and President Ma share the same roots. After learning about the connection with Maja Village, President Ma has been returning to Maja Village’s Fufeng Hall in Fengshu Li, Tongxiao Township, Miaoli County every year on the second day of the lunar new year to pay respects to his ancestors since the 83rd year of the Republic of China. Initially, these ancestral rites were not publicly disclosed, but during his tenure as mayor of Taipei, gatherings with local villagers and relatives were arranged when he returned home for ancestral worship. Although there was a five-year pause, since the 87th year of the Republic of China, he has returned annually to the "Fufeng Hall" for ancestral worship, actively distributing red envelopes to villagers, creating a festive atmosphere, especially greeting the elderly and engaging in casual conversations with them. About Maja Village Maja Village is located in Fengshu Li, Tongxiao Township, Miaoli County, and is President Ma's second hometown. The village is primarily composed of traditional courtyard homes and retains the Xu family’s earthen houses and traditional charcoal kilns, exuding a strong rustic charm. The Ma Family Ancestral Hall is named "Fufeng Hall" and features an interesting couplet: "The Ma Family Ancestral Hall shows brilliance, leading the precious island with wise governance; Nine and seven ancestors assist him, being loyal and filial good men; Ultimately, it's the will of heaven at an opportune time, leading the clan to peace." The initial characters of each line together form "Ma Ying-jeou is the president," reflecting his popularity in the village. Rustic Charm of Maja Village Located in Fengshu Li, Tongxiao Township, Miaoli County, Maja Village became a popular tourist attraction shortly after Mr. Ma was elected as the 12th President on March 22, 2008. The whole village can be explored in just a few minutes and is connected to Miaoli County highway routes 121 and 36, leading to various attractions in Miaoli, including the Tongluo Science Park. Cihui Temple in Tongxiao When President Ma visits Maja Village for ancestral worship, his first stop is always Cihui Temple in Tongxiao, where he prays for the safety of the people before proceeding to the Ma Family Ancestral Hall, Fufeng Hall. Cihui Temple, located on Tongxiao Street in Tongxiao Township, serves as the faith center for the local people. Founded in the 13th year of the Daoguang era of the Qing Dynasty (1837), it is dedicated to Mazu, established by Zheng Makuang, the chief of the thirteen villages of Tongxiao. During the reconstruction of Cihui Temple, all the participants were Hakka, which contributes to its rich Hakka cultural atmosphere. Traveling in Maja Village Visitors coming to the president's hometown of Maja Village along Yingjiu Avenue can explore the Ma Family Ancestral Hall, Fufeng Hall, and appreciate the rustic cultural charm of the countryside. Nearby attractions include Feiniu Ranch, Tongxiao Ocean Resort, Qiumaoyuan, Hutoushan Park, and the famous Dahu Winery, Sanyi Woodcarving Town, Tai'an Hot Springs, Mingde Reservoir, as well as historical paths walked by the ancestors like the Chao Chai Ancient Trail, Chao Tan Ancient Trail, and Mingfeng Ancient Trail. If the season allows, visitors may also participate in the Miaoli Tung Flower Festival, where the beautiful tung flowers, known as "May Snow," symbolize Hakka culture, representing the romantic aspirations between couples, allowing visitors to enjoy the beauty of the mountainous city and experience the good nature and warmth of Miaoli. Authentically Taiwanese Touch Residents of Maja Village mostly speak Hokkien, and the predominant religious belief is in Mazu, which gives the village a distinct sense of local Taiwanese flavor. With future tourism development plans, the county government intends to preserve the original rustic charm. The villagers of Maja Village are very welcoming, and recently, due to many visitors getting lost while trying to visit, local residents have created direction signs for "Yingjiu Avenue," helping tourists avoid the trouble of asking for directions. However, the Miaoli County government has already set up road signs at the Tongxiao interchange of National Freeway No. 3, believing that people from other counties will be able to visit Maja Village more easily in the future.
