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The legend of Lin Siansheng　　reading broadcast↓(sound/Pei-hsin Cheng)

In the reign of Kangxi, a man named Shih-bang Shih came to Taiwan with his father. He saw that there are many tall mountains in central Taiwan with significant differences in water flow and drop; there is so much water that there are many floods. However, there were also shortages in the dry seasons. Thus, Shih-bang Shih started constructing a canal in 1709 to resolve the problem of irrigation. They decided to construct one end of the canal in Bitsaitou, or in present-day Changhua County Ershui Township. They dug a channel here, preparing to guide the water of Jhuoshuei River to irrigate the fields. It took ten years, and finally, the canel construction was complete in Ershui; it was named “Babao Canal.”

But many instances of water guiding failed. When no one knew what to do, one day, suddenly an old man came and taught the local residents two methods; the first was the water-guiding method, and the other was the soil engineer method. The soil engineer method arranges bamboo into a cone shape, fill it with stones, then place it in the river water to change direction of flow. It was successful in guiding the water of Jhuoshuei River. Seeing the results, the residents were ecstatic. When the people brought presents to thank the old man, he had disappeared, and they could only find his shoes neatly placed between two trees. Thus, the people guessed that the old man may have “Lin” as his surname, so they built a temple where the shoes were placed to worship him, naming the temple “Linsiansheng Temple,” to express their gratitude and commemoration of him.

	The gate of Linsiansheng Temple.	The hall that houses those who made important contributions to the canal in Linsiansheng Temple.
	Changhua County Farmland Irrigation Association is also here.	The stone tablet marking the source of Babao Canal.

Babao Canal　　reading broadcast↓(sound/I-chin Tung)

280 years ago, Babao Canal irrigated the 20,000 hectares of farms in Changhua County, providing one-fifth of the grains in Taiwan. Most are irrigated using water from Babao Canal, thus people refer to Babao Canal as “the mother river of Changhua.”

Today in the Changhua Farmland Irrigation Association Ershui Workstation next to the water diversion gates of Babao 1st Canal and Babao 2nd Canal there is “Linsiansheng Temple,” which houses this unknown forefather who taught the ancestors the soil method, using rattan tied around wood or bamboo weaving to make pyramid and conical dam cages, commonly known as “gou”, in order to block river water from entering the canal.

Babao Canal is located on the slope in front of Ershui Junior High School. Babao Canal has a long history for agricultural irrigation; for the people of Ershui, Babao Canal is important as hydraulic engineering, and it has also made the people grateful for what they have. This created the life culture of the people of Ershui Township.

On the second weekend of every November, there is a Water Running Festival here. There are also many events held to accommodate this festival, such as the triathlon, in which one can experience the fun of Water Running and riding bicycles. At the same time, around the days of Water Running Festival there is also the night of Chinese opera, exhibition on the ink stone industry, calligraphy and paintings exhibition, and other exhibition events for local culture. Reading this far, are you curious too? Then you should come, participate, and experience it for yourself!

(Written by/I-chin Tung)

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	The story of Lin Siansheng in Babao Canal.	Babao 2nd Canal intake.
	2nd Canal intake.	“Longhsing Bridge” at the intake.
	The story of Lin Siansheng in Babao Canal.	Babao Canal.

Water Running Festival　　reading broadcast↓(sound/I-ju Chen)

Water Running Festival is the major annual event of Ershui Township, but Water Running only happens on the first day of the Water Running Festival. On the second weekend of every November, the events of Water Running Festival are held to maintain the spirit of “drinking water and thinking of its source.”

The Water Running Festival is formed by the gratitude ritual, canal head ritual, and Water Running ritual. It seems easy, but it has its own significance. So, the story is that at the beginning, the Water Running ritual was done from a concept of “redemption.” In the past, the person who runs in the front with offerings on his head was usually the person who has done a lot of bad things in the township. At the time, the concept of law was not yet prevalent. The villagers believed in using the power of nature to determine the outcome for someone who did bad things. If he outran the water, then the evils in his past would be forgiven. If he could not outrun the water, then being submerged by water was his divine punishment. This attitude of turning over destiny to heaven is an expression of the ancestors’ plain and nature-fearing spirit.

However, present-day Water Running Festival no longer has such functions, but has turned into a spirit of “drinking water and thinking of its source.” Hopefully, all future generations will be able to remember and practice this spirit. At the same time, more people should participate!

(Written by／I-ju Chen)

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	Gratitude ritual before Water Running in 2011.	Gratitude ritual before Water Running in 2011.
	Water Running in 2010.	Water Running in 2010 – the deity sedan.
	This is the channel for Water Running.	The starting point for Water Running is the slope constructed using wooden planks for going down into the water.
	Many people joined in the Water Running event down the canal.	Water Running Festival has associated performance activities.

　

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