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Taiwan saw hundreds of thousands of people walk for the goddess Mazu this April in two massive religious events: the Baishatun and Dajia pilgrimages. Over 460,000 people participated in the Baishatun Mazu pilgrimage this year, a record high. More young people are joining annually, enduring blisters and heat as they walk hundreds of kilometers. Let’s get to know some of these young devotees.

Hundreds of thousands cheer for the Baishatun Mazu as she arrives at Beigang Chaotian Temple. The goddess and her devotees walk over 300km in this annual pilgrimage, and in recent years, more young people have been taking part in the tradition.

Chang Po-cheng
High-school student
I draw the Baishatun Mazu every year and this year was my fourth time. This time, I focused more on the details of the patterns on her clothes.

Chang Po-cheng’s desk is covered with images of Mazu. He uses his drawings to make badges and keychains, and has even held a Mazu culture exhibit at his school. Spending most of his time in a stressful academic environment, he finds the pilgrimage the best way to calm down and reflect.

Chang Po-cheng
High-school student
With so many people following, the pilgrimage is really about upholding a belief and conviction. It’s more like giving yourself a chance to relax and reflect. You just know Mazu is ahead, and the palanquin is coming, so you have to keep moving, keep moving, keep moving. For me, it’s a way to find some inner calm.

Young people can find peace and a sense of community from their faith. In addition to joining as pilgrims, another young believer set up a stinky tofu stand along the route.

Ko Chin-lung, who acts in traditional opera, has participated in the pilgrimage for eight years.

Ko Chin-lung
Matsu association leader
This journey was something I wanted to experience, so even though I was physically exhausted and in pain, I was limping, and my feet hurt a lot, I still felt it was worthwhile.

Through online posts and social media, Mazu is connecting with the younger generation.

Hsieh Jui-lung
Temple culture research center director
There’s no distance or barrier between people, and everyone helps and encourages each other. For younger people, they think it’s something hard to find in modern Taiwanese society, so it’s slowly becoming a popular custom.

Whether they come to find peace, community, or test their physical fitness, young people are joining these traditional pilgrimages in their own ways, keeping the tradition alive.

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