Saltywater

Recorded by Yehlin Lee (Rio) on Feb 14 2003, in Yan Shwei county, Tainan, Taiwan.

Yan Shwei (Salty water) Bee-Firecracker is the biggest and most famous activity on Lantern Festival in Taiwan. This tradition originates from Ching dynasty, when the wide spread plague prevailed in this region. The rumour is that the god of Gwangung in the martial temple (Wu Myau) instructed people to let off firecrackers and get rid of the pestilence.

As its name, the Bee-Firecracker is made of hundreds of thousands small firecrackers in pile, just like a honeycomb. In the night of lantern festival, the crowds and the palanquin of gods run through the exploding bee-firecrackers to be blessed. With its extreme danger, this physical hearing experience fascinates me with unexpected shape of sound. Suggested to listen with headphones, but please be cautious of the unexpected high volume.

Track List:
1. Palanquin Nakasi 1:04
2. Floating 2:14
3. Watch Out 3:34
4. Shot 0:52
5. Ahh 1:33
6. Condense 1:50
7. OJS 7:07

Track 4:
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