China News Service, January 26 (Xinhua) "Every year, the clerk is rewarded with a glass of wine, and every household is rewarded with cigarettes to thank the Earth God." Today is the 16th day of the twelfth lunar month, which is also the "last tooth" of the Year of the Rabbit. What is "tail tooth"? What's the point? What is the difference between the "Wei Ya" in Taiwan?

  The picture shows the tail tooth feast. Source: Taiwan's "Business Times"

What is "tail tooth"?

　　In traditional customs, "Tooth" is a folk ritual of worshiping the Lord of the Land.

　　In the past, businessmen would prepare some dishes for worship on the second and sixteenth days of the lunar calendar. The most essential thing was a boiled white chicken plucked from a rooster, which symbolized prosperous business and good fortune. This kind of activity It is called "making teeth".

　　After the worship, the dishes used in the worship will be distributed to everyone for consumption, which is also the "tooth-making ceremony".

　　According to tradition, the second day of the second lunar month is the "head tooth", the sixteenth day of June is the "half-year tooth period", and the sixteenth day of the twelfth lunar month, which is the last "teeth period" of each year, is called the "tail tooth". The most important "dental period" of the year.

　　"Wei Ya" is a traditional festival in Fujian and Taiwan. It extends to this day. Before the Lunar New Year, most companies usually entertain their employees, issue year-end bonuses, or invite celebrities or performing arts groups to perform, draw draws, etc., as rewards for their hard work.

  On December 17, 2023, the Taiwan Affairs Office of Jiaojiang District, Taizhou City, Zhejiang Province organized a Taiyang (annual meeting) event for Taiwan compatriots and ethnic minorities. The picture shows some Taiwanese compatriots and ethnic groups who participated in the event took a group photo. Photo courtesy of Jiaojiang District Taiwan Affairs Office

What’s different about Taiwan’s “Wei Ya”?

　　In Taiwan, the traditional meaning of the Spring Festival is the most prominent, and the people also attach great importance to the continuation of etiquette and customs. Starting from the 16th day of the twelfth lunar month, the New Year season begins.

　　On the day of "Wei Ya", people in Taiwan prepare sacrifices to offer sacrifices to the Lord of the Earth. The whole family gathers to eat "Wei Ya" and also eat "Run Pancakes", which are similar to the "Spring Pancakes" commonly seen in mainland China, in order to ensure prosperity and prosperity for the family in the coming year.

　　Many Taiwanese companies will also choose to banquet their employees on this day to bid farewell to the old and welcome the new. Firstly, they retain the tradition of "reverence to God", and secondly, they use this festival to hold the company's "annual meeting" and use a "wedding banquet" to celebrate the occasion. To thank employees for their hard work over the year, some will include theatrical performances, lucky draws, and social activities. Many Taiwanese companies will also hand out year-end bonuses at banquets.

  Annual meeting of a real estate group in Taiwan. Image source: Taiwan China News Network

　　At the "Wei Ya Banquet", white chopped chicken is an indispensable dish. In the past, if the boss wanted to fire someone, he would point the chicken head at the employee and fire him in a tacit way.

　　Nowadays, most of Taiwan's "Wei Ya Banquets" are just for a happy gathering of employees within the company, so most of the chicken heads are placed upwards or removed directly. Buddha jumps over the wall, lobster, etc. have also become the main dishes on the table.

　　The company's "Wei Ya" forms are mainly divided into two types: banquets and evening parties. Small-scale companies usually only hold banquets and dinners; large-scale and profitable companies, in addition to dinner parties for various departments, also hold large-scale singing and dancing concerts to entertain employees.

　　Taiwanese companies hold "wedding banquets" in various forms, which have become an indispensable part of Taiwanese culture and a mirror that reflects all aspects of society. The scale of the "Wei Ya Banquet" and the thickness of the red envelopes distributed on site are closely related to the performance of the company. The "Wedding Banquet" has always been regarded by employees as a company profit indicator and a demonstration of the boss's sincerity.

　　The "Boss Show" is also a highlight of Taiwan's "Wei Ya Banquet". At banquets, some bosses will personally toast to their employees, or even pretend to be waiters to serve food to their employees, so that their employees can take the opportunity to have some fun.

Taiwan’s “Wei Ya Banquet” incorporates mainland elements

　　With the development of the times, the forms of "wedding banquets" for many Taiwanese companies have become diverse and have become a means of corporate publicity. Some companies even spend a lot of money to invite celebrities to help out, and even set up dozens or hundreds of tables, making the scene comparable to a luxurious wedding.

  Taiwanese band sues five members. Image source: Provided by Taiwan Zhongshi News Network Believe Music

　　According to Taiwanese media reports, "Wei Ya", a five-member band that is extremely popular on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, is constantly being invited to perform commercials and has received more than 200 invitations. However, after all, they are too busy and are currently determined to be able to perform 66 shows before the Lunar New Year.

  On December 19, 2023, in the "Dragonfly Dance Studio" dance studio in Taipei that specializes in Wei Ya's performances, the dance group was rehearsing moves for Wei Ya's show. Photo by China News Service reporter Lu Mei

　　In addition, in recent years, through the connection of social media, popular elements from mainland China have also become popular in Taiwan.

　　In the past few years, "The Legend of Zhen Huan" has been a hit on the island, and many employees will perform costume creative shows, igniting the costume rental industry. After that, the mainland songs "Little Apple" and "Learning to Meow" became popular in Taiwan. It is very popular because it fits the atmosphere of "Miuga".

　　Last year, the dance "Subject Three" became popular in Taiwan. Recently, during the "Wei Ya" season, it has become a designated program for many "Wei Ya" performances.

　　A Taiwanese dance troupe said that because it needs to be in line with current events, many owners hope to present the dance "Subject Three". (over)