Project Overview

Drum God Festival originated from the Chio-Tian Folk Drums & Art Troupe’s deep respect and gratitude for all of creation. At the end of every year, the troupe burns broken drums and drumsticks to symbolize a reward for their hard work and to offer prayers for the new year. The breakage of the drumsticks represents not only physical wear but also the accumulation of a year's worth of sweat and passion. Since 2020, the event has gradually evolved from a simple gratitude ritual into a grand celebration that blends music with traditional culture. The aim is to invite more people to personally experience and understand Taiwan's folk beliefs and the heritage of its artisanal skills.

Organisation

Chio-Tian Folk Drums & Art Troupe

Team

CHEN-JUNG HSU, HUAI-WEN HSU

Project Brief

On December 31, 2024, at 18:30, the event officially commenced, uniting traditional and contemporary art forms in one vibrant celebration. The program featured a classic drum performance by the Chio-Tian Folk Drums & Art Troupe, a Songjiang Battle Array show by the PLUS Fun Traditional Arts Martial Dance Crew, and a modern musical performance by acclaimed musician Lin Zongxing, who seamlessly blended traditional and modern elements.
Within the festival grounds, a folk experience area allows guests to immerse themselves in Taiwanese culture through activities such as face painting in traditional military styles, trying on guardian costumes, and writing New Year blessing slips. The climax of the evening was the "Sending Off the Drum God" ceremony, held after the midnight countdown. Drumsticks and blessing slips were set alight amid the fiery glow, symbolizing the ushering in of a new year and the renewal of hope.

Project Need

In 2024, the Drum God Festival emphasized "Traditional Culture and New Year Blessings." It was not merely a performance but a grand cultural experience. Participants had the opportunity to immerse themselves in traditional parade culture, with over a hundred groups performing throughout the event. Visitors also experienced face painting in parade formation styles, tried on the costumes, and felt the sacred atmosphere of ancient ceremonies through the blessings of the Jiutian Xuannu (Goddess).
As 2024 drew to a close, the festival reached its climax with the core ritual—"Blessing and Sending Off the Drum God." During this ceremony, participants wrote down their New Year wishes on blessing slips and burned them together with the broken drumsticks, symbolizing the fulfilling end of past labours and the dispatch of their hopes skyward. Under the countdown and the glow of firelight on New Year's Eve, the entire venue was enveloped in fervour and faith, allowing every participant to experience the profound impact of culture and the promise of a hopeful new year.

User Experience

During the planning phase, the design team took special care to ensure that participants from diverse backgrounds could resonate with the experience. Every element—from the interactive segments and lighting design to the music selection and ceremonial process—was meticulously curated. People remarked that the Drum God Festival was more than just a New Year's event; it was a holistic experience for the mind, body, and spirit. In particular, the "Sending Off the Drum God" ritual left a deep impression, with many noting that burning the drumsticks and blessing slips during the countdown was a profoundly ceremonial way to bid farewell to the old year and welcome the new one. Numerous first-time participants, who tried on traditional face painting and costumes, were also amazed by the intricacy and solemnity of the traditional parade culture.

Sustainability

This event is held within our campus, which not only reduces the need for temporary structures and resource consumption associated with external venues but also lowers the carbon footprint caused by transportation. Moreover, the core ritual, the “Sending of the Drum Deity,” uses drumsticks naturally worn out during the annual performances. These wooden drumsticks are burned as a symbolic act of blessing, giving new life to what would otherwise be waste and preventing direct disposal. Since the drumsticks are made entirely of wood, their combustion leaves only organic ash that can return to the natural cycle, minimizing environmental impact.
The event itself focuses on promoting traditional culture by inviting local and educationally valuable groups to participate. It encourages the public to appreciate folk customs and performances while understanding that cultural preservation is an integral part of sustainability. From food and games to lectures, all elements center on local resources, reducing excessive consumption and single-use decorations. By balancing cultural heritage with environmental responsibility, the “Drum Deity Festival” not only serves as a local year-end celebration but as an ongoing example of deepening community connections and environmental friendliness.