Summary: | 碩士 === 國立臺南大學 === 台灣文化研究所 === 104 === The eastern topography is higher than the western topography in Tainan. From north to south, there are Bazhang River, Jishui River, Zengwun River, Yanshui River, and Erren River which flow into Taiwan Strait. Because it rains a lot in Tainan especially in summer and fall, spring and winter are the dry seasons with a little source of a river.However, when the torrential rain hits, it not only causes amount of water in a river, but also diverts the river. Moreover, it has violently changed the topography of Tainan since 400 years ago. For example, the Daufeng and Taijiang Continental Sea which have been transferred a lot of sediments by the river have nearly disappeared.
People can’t live without water resource, so in the history of cultivation in Taiwan, people settled down and cultivated by the river. Nevertheless, it often caused floods during summer and fall; therefore, it made the tribes under the great pressure. As far as the whole tribes who lived by the river were concerned, when they faced the lessons of life and death, they tended to ask the Spirits. Therefore, under this circumstance, they came up with much worship to eliminate the sense of fear from the floods
This study focuses on the floods in Tainan and cultures. Furthermore, I also have investigated many fields which we have just mentioned in the first paragraph, collected the cases of worship ceremony, interviewed with the residents, and recorded the ceremonies. It is classified to Pài-khe-kînn, praise the Spirits, and set up the talismans. By means of these ways, I have explained the religious characteristic. First, the worship ceremony of Pài-khe-kînn in Tainan is different from other worship. They have worshipped for a long time to comfort many residents and become one of their memories. Second, they have praised the Spirits after they went through the floods successfully. Finally, they have set up the talismans to enhance the security of the Spirits.
The study has been classified to five chapters, including three parts in the thesis, a preface and a conclusion. First of all, I have collected the hydrology, the history of floods, the changes of the tribes, and the expressions and legends which have been told because of the floods. Second, I have recorded the whole processes of the worship ceremony. Finally, after the investigation, I have discussed many stories about the worship ceremony.
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