Cultural practices or ceremonies on the sea (Related to conditions of environment/climate)
與健康相關的海上文化習俗或儀式(與環境/氣候條件有關)
Mercado do Patane and the Ponte 16 are very close to each other, with the oldest market of Macao located by the sea. It is commonly known as "water market" among neighbors. The groups of buildings within these two locations are closely related to the lives of citizens and can reflect the process and history of Macao's fishery development from the past since that area was one of the oldest piers in Macao. They witness the development of fishermen's lives on the sea and some related practices or ceremonies. Around that area in the past, it was filled with fairy music and drumming from time to time, of most were ceremonies and practices from Taoist Rituals, as a way to put fishermen's lives in the hands of the gods to keep safe due to the poor level of equipment and information to deal with the bad weather or climate in that period. Hence, a range of health-related practices and ceremonies related to sea environment and climate customs emerged on fishing boats from Mercado do Patane and the Ponte 16, where the fishing industry of Macao was originally developed.
沙梨頭水上街市與原澳門十六浦碼頭距離很近,有著澳門最古老的海邊水產市場。過去的街坊俗稱其為"水上街市"。這兩個地方所包含的建築群與澳門當地居民的生活密切相關,因為該地區有著澳門最古老的碼頭之一,能反映出澳門過去漁業的發展歷史以及進程。它們見證了澳門漁民海上生活的變化和與之相關的一些健康習俗或儀式。過去,該地區周圍會時不時地傳來仙樂和鼓聲,其中大部分為道教科儀的相關儀式。因為在那個設備和通訊落後的年代,漁民們無法應對惡劣的極端天氣氣候,所以將自己的生命交給神靈來庇佑平安。因此,在澳門漁業最初發展的沙梨頭水上街市以及十六浦碼頭的漁船上,逐漸出現了一系列與海洋環境和氣候相關的道教健康儀式。
The health-related cultural practices or ceremonies held on the sea, which are somehow related to the environmental or specific climate conditions. Therefore, it is one aspect of traditional health maintenance. The topic is closely linked to the Taoist beliefs or rituals in Macao, such as the ceremony of “Guandeng Sanhua Ke '' and Ceremony of “Beheading White Tiger ''. They are regarded as an important part of Macao's intangible cultural heritage. Ceremonies and practices are always the epitomes of local communities’ constantly changed perceptions, beliefs and customs, which could basically reflect Macao residents’ local wisdom on a series of health maintenance issues from traditional aspects.
這個主題介紹的是在海上舉行的與健康相關的文化習俗或儀式,這些習俗或儀式在某種程度上與環境或特定的氣候條件有關。因此,這是傳統保健的一個方面。該主題中的儀式與澳門的道教信仰或儀式密切相關,如散花科儀、斬白虎,並被視為澳門非物質文化遺產的重要組成部分。儀式和習俗始終是當地社區不斷變化的觀念、信仰和習俗的縮影,可以反映澳門居民一系列傳統的健康維護的當地智慧。
“Flower Rituals''(散花科儀) is used for recounting the joys, sorrows, sufferings and partings of their lives from spring to winter on the sea. It mainly laments the impermanence of life and to imply that one should make use of and cherish the time one has on earth to cultivate virtue. This ceremony is usually performed and interpreted in Nanyin, which is a common and traditional rapping narrative style handed down in Macao and some other Guangdong regions. About 36 species of famous flowers including peonies, begonias, camellias, azaleas and hibiscus are used in this ceremony. That is because in Taoism (especially in Macao area), different flowers’ morphologies and blooming patterns symbolize some corresponding specific seasonal changes and natural laws on the sea from the weather aspect, reflecting a way and desire to seek for peace and safety in terms of fishermen’s adventurous lives at sea.
散花科儀是用來記述他們從春天到冬天在海上生活的喜怒哀樂、苦難和離別。它主要是感嘆生命的無常,並暗示人們應該利用和珍惜在世的時間來修養德行。這個儀式通常用南音說唱來表演和詮釋,南音是流傳於澳門和其他一些廣東地區的一種常見的傳統說唱敘述方式。在這個儀式中,大約有36種名花,包括牡丹、海棠、茶花、杜鵑和木槿。這是因為在道教中(特別是在澳門地區),不同的花的形態和開花方式從天氣方面象徵著一些相應的特定季節變化和海上的自然規律,反映了漁民在海上冒險生活方面尋求平安和安全的方式和願望。
Ceremony of “Beheading White Tiger ''represents the hope of the fishermen to pray for favorable winds, temperatures and good fortune for all during sea travel. However, not everyone had the opportunity to see or participate in this ceremony since it only took place exclusively on fishing vessels. This ceremony was used to remove and send away all evil spirits during the “Waking of Insects”. The pig's knuckles were used to represent the White Tigers and the front feet of White Tigers would be chopped off by a sharp knife under the guidance and orders of Taoist priest, which meant cutting off White Tigers’ heads to drive away the evil spirits brought by them, especially being far away from pirates on sea. It also blessed their family life to proceed without difficulties throughout that year.
“斬白虎”的儀式代表了漁民們的寄託,他們希望在海上航行的過程中祈禱風調雨順,氣溫適宜,吉祥如意。然而,並不是每個人都有機會看到或參與這個儀式,因為它只在漁船上舉行。在節氣"驚蟄"期間,這個儀式被用來清除和送走所有的邪靈。儀式使用豬的指節代表白虎,人們在道士的指導和命令下,用尖刀砍掉豬的前爪,也就是寓意砍掉白虎的頭,以驅除他們將會帶來的邪氣,尤其是希望能夠遠離海上的盜匪。此外,儀式也將會保佑漁民們的家庭生活在這一年裡沒有困難。
Because of the advanced fishing and detection tools, as well as the progressive medical conditions to deal with threats brought by climate change on sea, nowadays some Taoist related ceremonies and practices are no longer needed by the fishermen on boats, as a way to pray for their family’s health and safety. These are the main risks in terms of the sustainable development of this sub-topic. The main cause is the contemporary developments in technology, tools, and advanced communication, especially those used on fishing boats. As a result, fishermen’s perceptions of ways to cope with extreme weather conditions or climate changes on sea have been changed significantly nowadays. As time passes, the survival of such health-related cultural practices or ceremonies will be threatened from the local communities near the sea.
由於先進的捕魚及探測工具,以及應對海上氣候變化帶來的威脅的醫療儀器,如今船上的漁民不再需要一些與道教相關的儀式和做法,以此來祈禱家人的健康和安全。這是這個主題可持續發展的最大的不利因素。這是一種與氣候有關的威脅,主要由當地社區和漁民不斷變化的觀念和信念所主導。一般來說,這種威脅是基於對自然環境和氣候的看法、信念、認知和習慣的轉變而產生的。
Nowadays, those ceremonies and practices of Taoist Rituals in Macao can also pass on to future generations through constant learning of Taoist worshippers or through the master-apprentice system of Macao Taoist Organization, although they may not exist on the shipping boats any more.
如今,儘管澳門的這些道教儀式和做法可能不再存在於船上,但也可以通過道教弟子的不斷學習或通過澳門道教組織的師徒制度傳承給後代。


Picture 1 Mercado do Patane, Ponte 16
圖一:沙梨頭街市, 澳門十六浦碼頭
Picture 2 Mercado do Patane, Ponte 16
圖二:沙梨頭街市, 澳門十六浦碼頭
Source: Candice 來源: Candice
References:
Fu, Y. L. (2009). The Da Jiu Festival of Macao’s Fishing Community and the Culture of Chu Tai Sin. Museum Studies, (2), 57-61.
Hao, Z. (2011). Macau history and society. Hong Kong University Press.
Wang, X. (2013). "Jiao Hui Dao Shi: An Exhibition of Chu Tai Sin Beliefs in Hong Kong and Macao" and a review of the symposium "Research and Conservation of Chinese Fishermen's Religion". Folklore Studies, (3), 150-154.
By YAN CHENYU, CANDICE