A Study of Ritual Representation and Construction of Social Memory at Yiya Temple in Kaohsiung

• Main Authors: Chi-Chin Wu, 吳紀槿
• Other Authors: Cheng-Yuan Liu
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2015
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/41896843669396465420

碩士 === 國立高雄師範大學 === 台灣歷史文化及語言研究所 === 103 === Abstract Religion of the Trade Gods was languishing in the current Taiwan society. However, their significance has been received popular interest recently, owing to the installation of a Chinese Trade God master chef Yiya in Kaohsiung city. Yiya was an executive chief in the Spring and Autumn Era. He combined the cooking and health, and thus created the food wellness. Members among catering trade, including cooks, and chefs, all regards Yiya as the founder of them. In Kaohsiung, his ceremony was first held in 1997, and his temple was completely established in 2014. The recent study attempts to probe into the features of these local religious activities by means of related literature review and taking part in the long-term fieldworks to present the implication of the religious belief of “Yiya”. Literatures include topics related with the function of the Trade God, legends of the Chinese master chef and the book published by the “Yiya” Temple. A three-year fieldwork was conducted in the ceremonies held from 2012 to 2014. By using “Yiya” as a case study, theories of the “social memory”and “invention of tradition” were accompanied with the theories of “supernatural phenomenon” and “Trade God’s function,” I try to expound the created progress of a Trade God. The results are concluded as follows: First of all, installing the social memory of the Trade God: physical practice was a special method to install the social memory. The social memory of the “Yiya” was installed through the participants’ practical practices in the annually-held cooking contest and official banquet held by “Yiya” Temple. Next, a new Trade God: Tradition was constructed by Yiya Temple. A serial of narrations of legends and supernatural power of Yiya, along with the oral-history methods, were culturally constructed. Therefore, a new Trade God is created. The social memory and invention of tradition of Kaohsiung Yiya Temple conclude as follows. First, a reinterpretation the master chef through many legendary descriptions by “Yiya” Temple; Secondly, “Yiya” Temple constructed the worship for installing the social memory through physical practices among followers. Thirdly, the main purpose of installing social memory through the legends and worship of Yiya is to establish the formal position and sacredness of this Chinese master chef.