Dajiejie Community (Erjie Granary Rice Culture Museum)

The Dajiejie Cultural Foundation has long been rooted in the Dajiejie Community (comprising the three villages of Erjie, Zhenan, and Sanxing), actively cultivating and revitalizing local culture. The site is located on the alluvial plain of the Lanyang River, where land reclamation began during the Qianlong era. As development progressed, a settlement gradually formed, complete with a ferry crossing, becoming a crucial waterway hub connecting the Lanyang Plain. From an early focus on rice farming, through the development of the paper industry during the Japanese colonial period, the community gradually formed an industrial cluster centered around paper mills. Furthermore, the Wang Gong Temple within the community serves as a core of faith and is renowned for its unique 'crossing hot coals' ritual. Rice Farming Culture: This area has been a major rice production hub on the Lanyang Plain since ancient times. The 'Erjie Granary' near the station was responsible for purchasing and transporting rice from a vast agricultural region. This building witnessed the prosperity of the rice industry and the development of the local economy at the time. Although it has become historical with the changing times, the Erjie Granary still attracts attention with its elegant yet simple appearance. Currently, the building has been designated a county-level historic site and converted into a venue for displaying rice culture, allowing visitors to learn about the rice cultivation process and the daily lives of rice farmers. Moreover, the 'Erjie Canal' was once the lifeline of local agriculture and remains an important testament to Erjie's rice culture today. Paper Industry Culture: The paper industry culture in the Erjie and Sijie areas originated during the Japanese colonial period. To utilize bagasse (sugarcane residue) leftover from sugar production for papermaking, a paper mill was established near the sugar refinery, marking the beginning of mechanized papermaking in Taiwan. The Chung Hsing Paper Mill was once Taiwan's largest newsprint production factory. Although the two paper mill areas in Erjie and Sijie have ceased operations, they still bring economic vitality and cultural influence to the local area. The paper mill's chimney once symbolized returning home for those who left and reminded local residents of the industrial development history of this land. Furthermore, the development of the paper mill led to changes in the lifestyle of the entire settlement. Religious Culture: The Erjie Wang Gong Temple has been an important religious center for this community since 1786 (the 51st year of Emperor Qianlong's reign) of the Qing Dynasty. Wang Gong, also known as the 'Three Ancient Princes,' is a local deity from Zhangpu, Fujian. It is believed that Wang Gong sacrificed himself during the late Southern Song Dynasty while resisting the Mongols. Wang Gong's divine powers are closely associated with medicine, geomancy, and Taoist magic, providing medical care, disaster relief, and exorcism services to early settlers during land reclamation, thus becoming a spiritual pillar for residents. The unique rituals of the Erjie Wang Gong Temple, such as 'Wu Jiao Guan Nian' (martial palanquin procession) and 'crossing hot coals,' have become nationwide renowned religious cultural events, attracting devotees from all over Taiwan. The history of Wang Gong's 'crossing hot coals' ritual dates back over a century, and in 2007 it was selected as one of Taiwan's Top 100 Religious Sights, demonstrating its profound impact on local culture. Actively Promoting Cultural Preservation and Empowering the Community: Rooted in local life, the Foundation upholds the philosophy of cultural heritage preservation and utilization. It is committed to reconnecting people with each other and with the land, and to awakening the community's awareness of local cultural heritage preservation. Since 1991, the Foundation has spearheaded numerous important projects, including the reconstruction of the Wang Gong Temple, the registration of cultural landscapes, and the establishment of various cultural museums. These achievements reflect its deep concern for the overall development of the community. The Foundation advocates that cultural heritage should be integrated into the social context and continuously promotes the revitalization and innovative development of local culture through local activities and intergenerational transmission.