圖片提供 Ricky kuo / Shutterstock.com
Among the many activities that take place during Ghost Month, the Chiang Ku Festival is perhaps the most amazing. It is also known as “ghost grappling▼.” The event is held in both Yilan and Pingtung on the last day of Ghost Month. The main activity of the Chiang Ku Festival is a race to the top of a large tower.
The tower to climb is called ku peng. The ku peng tower stands at a height of over 10 meters above the ground. The tower is supported by bamboo poles▼. Teams of climbers must make their way up the poles. To make it more difficult, the poles are covered with animal grease▼. Luckily, climbers can use a short piece of rope as a climbing tool.
圖片提供 H.C Huang / Shutterstock.com
Each team includes five climbers. It takes teamwork to win the race. Because it’s very slippery, they have to climb over each other to reach the platform▼. Then, the one who grabs the flags and gold medals▼ on the top will be the winner. It’s a fun event during Ghost Month, when people respect the climbers as well as the spirits.
▼ grapple vi. 爭鬥,扭打
▼ pole n. 柱,竿
▼ grease n. 油,油脂
▼ platform n. 平臺
▼ medal n. 獎牌
圖片提供 Ricky kuo / Shutterstock.com
鬼月好兄弟和搶孤好漢
在鬼月所進行的諸多活動當中,搶孤也許是最令人驚奇的一項。這個盛事在英文中也稱為 ghost grappling(編按:有一說是搶孤為人 們扮演餓鬼搶食祭品以娛樂先靈而來,故另有此稱)。這個活動在鬼月 最後一天分別於宜蘭和屏東舉辦。搶孤的重頭戲就是比賽看誰能最快 爬上巨大高塔的頂端。
眾人須攀爬的高塔稱為「孤棚」。孤棚自地面聳立的高度有十多公 尺之高。這座高塔是由竹竿所支撐起。各攀登隊伍必須一路順著棚柱 往上爬。為了增加難度,柱子上塗滿了動物油脂。所幸攀爬者可運用 一條短繩作為攀登工具。
每支隊伍有五位隊員。要贏得比賽需要仰賴團隊合作。由於棚柱很滑,參賽者必須爬過彼此身上以到達孤棚平臺。接著,奪下孤棚頂 端旗幟和金牌的人就會取得優勝。搶孤是鬼月一項饒富趣味的活動, 在本月份大家對鬼魂和搶孤攀爬者都抱持著無比敬意。
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