Sacred Waters: Cultural Beliefs and Folklore in the Gaoping River Basin
Prologue
"Where there is water, there are people; where there are people, there is faith."
The Gaoping River, historically known as the Xiadanshui River, is Taiwan's second-longest river. Since ancient times, it has nourished countless ethnic communities and given birth to a rich tapestry of faith traditions. Across this vast basin, mountains and plains interweave as migrating peoples established settlements, leaving behind traces of their historical journeys.
The river flows like silk threads, weaving connections between people and deities, between ethnic communities and their ancestral lands. From the nature worship of indigenous peoples in the upper reaches, through folk festivals in Hakka villages along the middle course, to traditions passed down through generations in Hoklo settlements downstream—this is a mighty river that carries faith and mirrors life itself. Let us follow the river's pulse as we journey downstream, walking alongside the gods, entering the stories of different peoples, and witnessing the magnificent folk heritage that flourishes along these riverbanks...
The exhibition is divided into four main sections：
A.Rivers Flow Through Human Lives
B.Sacred Lands Where Spirits and People Coexist
C.Rituals of Heaven, River Worship, and the Sacred Farewell to Written Words
D.Heroic Souls and Guardian Deities
Special Themed Activity: Create Your Riverside Scenery (DIY Stamp Postcard)
Take a journey along the upper, middle, and lower reaches of the Gaoping River to discover the diverse folk festivals and traditions of the region’s communities. Collect stamps from each exhibition zone and piece together your own vision of the riverside landscape. Once completed, don’t forget to send your one-of-a-kind postcard to a friend—or to yourself—to share the stories and emotions you’ve discovered along this river, through both image and words.