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TAIPEI AIR STATION |
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The Dragon dance was always a highlight to see in Taiwan. It was usually performed at holidays and religious festivals. Consisting of about a dozen and a half skilled dancers, the head of the dragon would try to devour the ball in front of it while its body weaved behind it. Loud music with lots of percussion instruments accompanied the dancers. And of course there were always firecrackers to complete the show. This dragon dance was in Ilan in northeastern Taiwan in 1957. |
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At this festival in Ilan in northeastern Taiwan in 1957, street dancers made up in variety of costumes turn their attention to my father, Elliot Aandahl, as he captures their colorful images. |
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Located one block to the southwest of the old city gate in Hsinchu, the temple to the Gods of Heaven and Hell was one of several in the older center of the city. The Gods of Heaven and Hell themselves were ferocious looking with white and black faces respectively. Note all the children playing in the temple courtyard in this 1956 photograph. |
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A crowded street scene in Hsinchu, c.1956, during a parade of the idols from the temple to the Gods of Heaven and Hell. Most idols at this temple were very tall and imposing and were carried by a man inside only half their height. Loud music is being played by the mainly percussion instruments on the pedi-cart on the left of the photograph. |
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Buddhist monks make their way out of their temple at Green Grass Lake, 3 kilometers outside of Hsinchu, c. 1956. In their hands they hold a variety of musical instruments. Per Elliot Aandahl's written notes on the slide, this was a funeral procession so I assume the monk just leaving the doorway is holding an urn containing ashes although I cannot easily identify the object he is holding as an urn.
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