Fei Fan Zou Biao Competition(飛番走鏢競賽), one of the great event during 2008 Siraya Zou Biao Tourism Season(西拉雅走鏢觀光季活動), will take place at Zengwen(曾文) reservoir on December 14th. It is expected to call on 5000 people to join this Pingpu’s(平埔族) traditional activity.

Zou Biao, a special custom of Pingpu in Central and Southern Taiwan, is actually a juvenile running race. The young racers get up very early without eating breakfast. They form several teams, and each team has 5-7 people. They run to the spot and turn back. The champion team can get the fancy cloth or colorful flag which represents the highest honor. After the competition, everyone brings the alcohol, meat, and rice cakes to congratulate all the winners. The party will be held all through the night.

Zou Biao, also called Dou Jie(鬥捷), means to compete to see who runs fastest. The racing is held during the New Year and wedding. Pingpu people set the dates (sometimes two to three times a year) to hold a 3-4 day event which includes dramas, singings, and a race.

Siraya is one of Pingpu branches and good at running. It is expected that Zou Biao Tourism Season this year can help people have more understanding of Siraya.

~http://en.travel-web.com.tw/Show/Style203/News/c1_News.asp?SItemId=0271030&ProgramNo=A000203000001&SubjectNo=61343