Yanshuei District, alternatively spelled Yanshui, is a district in Tainan, Taiwan, which is famous for its notoriously dangerous fireworks festival. The annual event commemorates a cholera epidemic more than a century ago, the fireworks symbolizing the exorcism of demons associated with the plague. The festival, known as Fengpao, is celebrated on the 15th day after the beginning of the Lunar New Year, also called Shang Yuan Festival.
History
Formerly known as Goat-tin-kang. In 1901 during Japanese rule, was one of twenty local administrative offices established. In 1909, this unit was divided among and. In 1920, after reorganization, was placed under of Tainan Prefecture. Yanshuei used to be one of the five most important maritime towns in Taiwan, but it has declined since the harbor was closed in 1900. These days it is best known for the fireworks festival held 15 days after Lunar New Year.
It is said that the Fireworks Festival originated from a cholera epidemic which broke out in the late Qing rule and lasted for more than twenty years. In order to drive out the evil spirits and ward off the disease, the survivors invited the spirit of Guan Yu, the Chinese god of war. Kuan Kung is worshipped as the God of War; since he was adept at managing finances, he is also worshipped as the patron saint of businessmen. The deities of Heaven are able to inspect the land on the day of Lantern Festival by carrying the statue of Kuan Kung in palanquins and paraded around Yanshuei and letting off masses of firecrackers, and the epidemic soon receded.
"Beehive" Firework
The most important of Yanshuei's prominent fireworks are the so-called "bee hives", essentially multiple launchers of bottle rockets. These rocket forts are actually thousands of bottle rockets arranged row atop row in an iron-and-wooden framework. The setup looks like a beehive full of unleashed gunpowder. When the contraption is ignited, rockets shoot out rapidly in all directions. Dazzling explosives whiz and whirl across the sky and often into the crowd itself, both thrilling and intimidating the spectators. Amongst local adherents being hit by a rocket is an indication of good luck in the year to come, with the greater the number of hits the greater the luck. Locals will therefore dress in multiple layers on top of which they wear homemade fireproofs and stand with their backs to the launchers. However, unless so prepared spectators are not allowed in the vicinity of the platforms.
Danger
Spectators have been wounded by rocketing fireworks while standing too close to the erupting hive. However, the festival is still held, despite moves to ban it.
Protection
To protect against injury, heavy clothing, a helmet with a full visor, and protective gloves are recommended for all spectators. Local residents modify motorcycle helmets by riveting fire retardant material to create an aventail at the back and a flexible gorget at the front. If this is not done a towel is advised to be worn around the neck because many can temporarily lose their hearing if a stray rocket goes inside their helmet.
