Ba Jia Jiang: A Distinctive Religious Tradition in Taiwan Gushan Diyue Temple's Ji Sheng Tang

　Gushan Diyue Temple (鼓山地嶽殿) in Kaohsiung serves as a belief center for many local people. Ji Sheng Tang Ba Jia Jiang (吉勝堂八家將), a jhentou (陣頭) group famous for preserving and popularizing the tradition known as Ba Jia Jiang, was officially recognized as an intangible cultural heritage of Kaohsiung in 2019. This February, the troupe participated in the prestigious 2023 Carnaval de Nice (2023年法國尼斯嘉年華) in France, where this unique Taiwanese culture shone on an international stage and stunned a global audience.

　Ba Jia Jiang serve as guards for the gods, clearing the way during religious processions by capturing evil spirits and banishing demons before the god arrives. Ji Sheng Tang Ba Jia Jiang was established in 1949. Their master, Lin Mu (林木), imparted key knowledge of steps, movements, and formations to the performers.

　The troupe currently consists of eleven members in their 20s including: Singjyuye (刑具爺); the generals surnamed Gan (甘), Liou (柳), Sie (謝), and Fan (范); General Spring (春神), General Summer (夏神), General Autumn (秋神), and General Winter (冬神); Wunchaiye (文差爺) and Wuchaiye (武差爺). The generals adhere to tradition, strictly observe discipline and taboos, and practice regularly on Saturdays. In the three days before each procession, they are expected to abstain from meat and sex. They also have to inform Judge Deity Lifu Dashen (李府大神) after getting their faces painted and before beginning the procession. After that, they are expected to remain silent. In addition, drinking and eating are prohibited, not to mention smoking or chewing betel nuts.

　To make this distinctive tradition more visible, the troupe has participated in several recent cultural activities. In 2021, the generals met the Mazu of Fong Yun Temple (鳳芸宮) during the pilgrimage. This February, they were invited to participate in the 2023 Carnaval de Nice in France, receiving applause and acclaim.

　When troupe members were asked how they felt about going to France to perform, Jiahao (家豪) said: “After we dress ourselves, we had the self-consciousness of generals. This momentum and pride did not come only after performing abroad. We are always proud of being generals.” Yiyuan (奕元) added: “Even if foreigners like us a lot, the most important thing is to raise people's awareness about local folk culture.” Troupe leader A-Ci (阿棋) said in a serious tone that, “I just want everyone to know that it's a privilege and an extreme honor to become a general.” 

台灣土地上芬芳的家將文化 鼓山地嶽殿吉勝堂八家將

高雄鼓山地嶽殿是當地民眾信仰中心，隸屬地嶽殿的「吉勝堂八家將」於2019年登錄高雄市無形文化資產，今年2月受邀參加「2023年法國尼斯嘉年華」遊行，臺灣家將文化驚豔國際。

八家將扮演神將的陣頭，為神明出巡開路，為信眾驅除不祥、驅邪怯魔。地嶽殿吉勝堂八家將成立於民國38年，由臺南林木師傅傳授家將步伐、陣伐與陣式。

吉勝堂八家將編制11人，包含刑具爺，甘、柳、范、謝四大將，春、夏、秋、冬四大神，以及文、武差，現由二十多歲將腳組成。吉勝堂家將團堅持傳統、嚴守紀律和禁忌，每週六固定團練，出陣前三天即開始茹素、禁女色，畫臉後、出陣前稟告主公(即李府大神)的儀式後噤聲、禁飲食，更遑論抽菸、吃檳榔等行為。

為了讓更多人看見家將藝術，吉勝堂八家將近來積極參與文化展演活動，例如，2021年在高雄接駕鳳芸宮海巡媽祖；今年2月，吉勝堂八家將受邀參加法國尼斯嘉年華會遊行，現場喝采聲不斷。

詢問團員前去法國表演的感受，家豪說：「我們扮裝後就有將軍的自覺，這份氣勢與驕傲不是出國表演後才有，我們本來就以跳家將自豪。」一旁的奕元補充道：「即便外國人多喜歡我們，最重要的，還是希望社會大眾回頭看見自己土地上的民俗文化。」隊長阿棋神色認真地表示：「我想讓大家知道，可以跳家將是種特權，非常光榮。」