Whether it is the Year of the Ox or not, a painting of a "spring ox" honored as a god, is always printed on the farmers' calendar. It is said that the boy tending the ox is Chin Shih Huang, a monarch of the Chin Dynasty, who is condemned in hell to perform the task because he failed to show filial piety during his lifetime. The tradition goes that if the boy wears clogs, there will be little rainfall in the coming year; if he wears sandals, rainfall will be abundant. It is also believed that the earth is shouldered by a giant ox, and that earthquakes occur during "changes of shift." From these legends, it can be seen that during the agrarian age, people's daily life was deeply interwoven with that of the ox.
The largest plains area in Taiwan, Chianan (southern Chiayi) covers an area of 5 million hectares of cultivated land and supports some 1 million oxen. Farmers there frequently hold fairs to sell their oxen, based on a practice worked out 300 years ago by the national hero Cheng Cheng- kung (Koxinga), who introduced a large-scale agricultural system to Taiwan. As a result of rapid industrialization, ox fairs are no longer held in northern Taiwan, and the only places where they now take place are Yuanli, Pingtung, Yenshui, Peikang, Paotou, Kangshan, and Shanhua. The one held at Yenshui is the oldest, while that at Peikang is the biggest today.
To take part in the Peikang Ox Fair, which covers an area of some 5,000 pings, dealers must pay a deposit of NT$10 for each head of cattle. After the fair management has stamped the oxen, they are washed and fed so that they will look in the best condition.
To determine the age of an ox, the teeth are counted. The usual number of teeth in a mature ox is eight. Those with nine are described as "senior oxen," and those with 10, known as "king oxen" are the most prized of all.
The second step is to check if the ox is well proportioned and healthy. In general a short-legged animal is more suitable for meat, since those to be used as draft animals must have long and strong legs to undertake hard work.
The climax is reached, however, at the third stage, during which the oxen must undergo exacting trials. The traders fasten two or three carts together with ropes to test the strength of the ox. Sometimes, they sit on the carts themselves carrying a full load of stones, to increase the weight. Although the oxen may not realize it, they are literally pulling for their lives, since those which fail the test are destined for slaughter. The last step consists of ploughing trials. Though the oxen are exhausted after the trial on the third stage, they have to carry on until the ordeal is over.
Market days take on different forms in the various centers. In Peikang, the markets are held on the third, sixth, ninth, 13th, 16th, 19th, 23rd, 26th and 29th days in each month. The number of oxen marketed at each sale has been reduced from 1,000 in former times to only 100 today, while prices range between NT$20,000 to NT$50,000. The 10th, 20th and 30th days in each month are holidays.
In olden days, cattle dealers had to drive their herds from place to place, and it sometimes took 10 to 20 days to reach the next destination. Often during the journey such problems as illnesses, displays of bad temper, and calf deliveries had to be taken in stride, and the vagrant traders also often filled the role of mailman. The ox fairs even acted as a sort of pawn shop for farmers in urgent need of money.
On market days, as well as the ox dealers, traveling salesmen of all kinds can be found. Many of them purvey herbal medicines, others put on kung fu or animal demonstrations, while still others sell accessories such as whips, bells, chains and collars. And of course, there are always plenty of snack stalls to be found.
If the ox has red paint applied to its body, it is earmarked for slaughter, and local people say it will even shed tears. No ox is slaughtered, however, until everyone has had the chance to pay respects to it around 30 years ago.
The ox fair is perhaps one of the most typical traditions handed down from ancient times, but as bartering gradually goes out of fashion, it may be doomed. Though society has benefited from the introduction of the power tiller, or iron ox, the contribution paid by the ox through the ages, without a word of complaint, will always be remembered.
[Picture Caption]
Before trading starts, a buyer can tell the age of an ox from its teeth. The "King of Oxen" with 10 teeth, is most sought after. Left: The ox dealer leisurely sits down for a smoke while waiting for buyers. Right: During the price negotiations, the buyer and dealer whisper in each other's ear in a special language which is difficult for outsiders to understand.
Above: In traditional style, the ox fair also has stalls selling all kinds of accessories, such as whips, bells, chains and collars. Left: An ox ready to be sold is cleaned and decorated with bells and red ribbon to provide good luck for the buyer.
1&3, The salesmen fasten two or three carts and their wheels together with ropes to demonstrate the strength of the ox. Sometimes, they sit on the cart themselves to increase the weight. 2. Only cash is used in transactions. 4. After a bargain is struck, the ox is taken away by truck to its destination.
In traditional style, the ox fair also has stalls selling all kinds of accessories, such as whips, bells, chains and collars. Left: An ox ready to be sold is cleaned and decorated with bells and red ribbon to provide good luck for the buyer.
In traditional style, the ox fair also has stalls selling all kinds of accessories, such as whips, bells, chains and collars. Left: An ox ready to be sold is cleaned and decorated with bells and red ribbon to provide good luck for the buyer.
In traditional style, the ox fair also has stalls selling all kinds of accessories, such as whips, bells, chains and collars. Left: An ox ready to be sold is cleaned and decorated with bells and red ribbon to provide good luck for the buyer.
In traditional style, the ox fair also has stalls selling all kinds of accessories, such as whips, bells, chains and collars. Left: An ox ready to be sold is cleaned and decorated with bells and red ribbon to provide good luck for the buyer.
The salesmen fasten two or three carts and their wheels together with ropes to demonstrate the strength of the ox.
Sometimes, they sit on the cart themselves to increase the weight.
Only cash is used in transactions.
After a bargain is struck, the ox is taken away by truck to its destination.
@List.jpg?w=522&h=410&mode=crop&format=webp&quality=80)
