傳統民俗文化到當代客庄節慶：以東勢新丁粄節為例

Abstract

新丁粄本係臺灣漢文化普同的民俗，然而獨獨東勢地區的新丁粄衍生出「闘粄」的習俗，向來引人注目。關於新丁粄的研究，在南部六堆地區已有傳統儀式面向的初步成果，而東勢地區也頗多關於當代節慶活動的描述性報導與研究。本論文建立在前人研究文獻的基礎上，藉由儀式活動的參與觀察與重要參與者之深度訪談，從組織、儀式以及當代節慶等面向，賦予東勢新丁粄文化討論的傳統與現代視野。 本研究發現，東勢新丁粄雖具天神信仰的祈神還福性質，但目前的年初祈神以及年尾還福神聖祭典與新丁粄活動的關係已隱而不彰，反而為了增加熱鬧文化街各廟擇於元宵節一起舉辦活動，甚至廟宇成立「大粄會」組織進而演變成東勢特有的「鬪粄」比賽活動，亦即其神聖性下降，循著世俗化軌跡前進。同時，如今傳統新丁粄活動在增加節慶元素以及公部門介入後，活動越發擴大，甚至成為客家委員會之客庄十二大節慶。 本研究呈現了東勢傳統民俗新丁粄文化到當代客庄節慶的變遷過程，尤其從文化街廟宇的角度出發研究新丁粄活動與東勢地區歷史發展與居民之間的互動關係，也增益了客家節慶活動舉辦的研究成果，更期能與南部地區的新丁粄研究產生對話。

Xin Ding Ban (Rice Cake for Newborns) is a common Han Chinese folklore in Taiwan, however, with its unique custom of “Dou Ban” (a contest of making rice cake ) in Dongshih township is most famous. This essay based on the basic descriptive reports and primary researches unfolds with both traditional and modern views to discuss the Dongshih Xin Ding Ban folklore. This essay uses the methods of participant observance to record the rites and the depth interview with important participator. Xin Ding Ban was part of wishing rite to the Heaven God which wishing in the beginning of the year then thanks for giving in the end of the year. At Dongshih, the prosperous frontier in Chin dynasty, with its intense relationship between Han Chinese and the aboriginals, a newborn of boy (Xin Ding) means a lot. Every year, all temples in Culture Street, the main street of Dongshih, hold the rite of wishing to the Heaven God. Xin Ding Ban, the sacrificial offering, become the most striking symbol to countryman. In order to increase prospers atmosphere, people found the organization of Sih Ding Ban Association to contest to each other (Dou Ban). Since Xin Ding Ban is more and more important, it become an independent event that losing its meaning in rites of Heaven God. It is to say the Xin Ding Ban culture became secularized, and getting larger and larger. Now, it even become the top twelve festivals in the Hakka village of Hakka Committee. The research records the transferred process from the traditional custom culture of Xih Ding Ban to contemporary festival. And the author reminds that no matter how it be changed, in the residents’ hearts, the competition (Dou Ban) in local temple is still the most important symbol of culture.