EPISODE 2

PIGS OF GOD (28:00)

SANXIA, TAIWAN

Mr. Yang works at a local farm that specializes in rearing controversial, obese pigs known as Shen Dzu, or God Pigs. Shen Dzu can weigh over 1500 kilos, and are ritually sacrificed for temple festivals throughout Taiwan. Once slaughtered, the pig’s bodies are broken down and rebuilt into larger-than-life, decorative statues that are offered to the gods. In recent times, the tradition has begun attracting the attention of animal rights activists, and very few temple festivals still use real pigs as offerings.

But Chinese New Year in Mr. Yang’s hometown of Sanxia would not be the same without Shen Dzu. In the center of Sanxia is a revered temple honoring a guardian deity known as Zushi gong. Zushi birthday is celebrated on the sixth day of the new year. The resulting temple festival is largely considered the most revered traditional display of Shen Dzu in all of Taiwan. In exchange for the town’s gift of Shen Dzu, Zushi cleanses Sanxia of any bad luck or misfortune left over from the previous year.

This year, Mr. Yang is fortunate to be one of eleven entries in the festival. He has spent years planning, and is excited to have the opportunity to give back to his community. This episode follows his pig Fuqi’s transformation into sacred art. Fuqi’s body and soul will re-imagined by the likes of Mr. Yang and his loved ones, and what viewers may perceived as act of cruelty, the community of Sanxia sees as a gift for the soul of the animal.