To any religious event in Taiwan are present groups of young men with painted faces who wear elaborate costumes, a familiar sight to locals, even if no one really knows how they evolved or where they came from. They are members of the Ba Jia Jiang (Eight Generals) troupes, which have the role to keep evil spirits away by chasing them down and dealing with them. They carry elaborate fans with protection spells written on them, and the smiles aren't permitted. It seems that this tradition dates over 100 years and is closely associated with Wu Fu Da Di, the God of Plague Expulsion, but, as in any folk culture, there are many different tales describing their origins. Like Chinese Opera performers, the Ba Jia Jiang can be distinguished by their face paint, the different patterns serving to denote who they are. According to different heritages, the troupe can had four, six, eight, ten, twelve or thirteen members. The more complete group is with a number of thirteen Gods, who have different responsibilities.
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