Impressive! Tainan Xibei's First Public Pigeon Bell Race Sees Xinying Wuxing Compete Against Jiupu, Carrying the Largest 1-Foot Bells

Liberty Times reports on the vibrant tradition of pigeon racing in Tainan's rural areas, specifically highlighting the opening public pigeon bell race between Wuxing and Jiupu in Xinying District. This centuries-old folk custom, recognized as a Tainan City-designated folk tradition, serves as a vital community bonding event. The Wuxing Pigeon Association showcased their dedication by releasing about 50 pigeons, each carrying a pigeon bell, with three of them bearing the largest-ever recorded 1-foot bells, surpassing last year's record. While the event itself is a celebration of heritage and community spirit, the article also touches upon the serious challenge of generational transfer, as fewer young people are joining the pigeon-raising associations. From a local perspective in Tainan, these races are more than just a competition; they are a living link to the past, a way to maintain village cohesion, and a testament to the enduring cultural practices of rural Taiwan. The effort to preserve this unique tradition, despite the demographic shifts, is a story of cultural resilience.

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The pigeon race between Wuxing and Jiupu is purely for friendship and does not compare wins and losses, so as not to hurt harmony.