Friday is here and so is 5.This week, we’re taking a look at another unique facet of Taiwanese folk culture – Ba jia jiang or the eight generals. Often seen accompanying religious parades and festivals, these mysterious characters are sometimes known as “hell’s policemen” and are a familiar sight to Taiwanese people, even if no one really knows how they evolved or where they came from.

Generally accepted wisdom says that the Ba Jia Jiang are over 100 years old and are closely associated with Wu Fu Da Di, the God of Plague Expulsion but, as with any folk culture, there are many different tales describing their origins.

The Eight Generals are protectors. Their role is to keep evil spirits away by chasing them down and dealing with them. They carry elaborate fans with protection spells written on them to keep them safe from any demons that may be floating around. Smiling is not permitted as they protect both spirit mediums and onlookers from lingering evil.

Like Chinese Opera performers, the Ba Jia Jiang can be distinguished by their face paint. Different patterns serve to denote who they are. There are four generals, Liu, Gan, Hsieh and Fan together with the Gods of the Four Seasons. The painting of their faces, known as “opening the face” is the first thing they do when preparing for a performance and once this is complete, they have a list of taboos they must follow which includes things such as not eating meat and not joking around.

Although they serve as protectors, today their image has changed from one of protection to one of menace. More often than not, in modern times Ba Jia Jiang are synonomous with gangs, drugs and organised crime. Delinquent youth and high school dropouts are often to be found in their ranks. Self-torture as well as fighting between rival troupes is not uncommon and weapons such as saws, spiked cudgels, axes, maces and various religious ritual implements are often used. Boldness and cruelty are both important aspects of the culture according to Chang Tso-chi, a film director whose 1996 documentary “Ah-Chung” chronicled the life of some of the teenagers involved in the Ba Jia Jiang troupes.

Despite the links to crime, the Ba Jia Jiang remain a popular, if scary, aspect of Taiwanese culture and are often called on to perform at the opening of businesses as well as one religiously auspicious occasions. As long as you remember not to “break their line” when they are performing, the Eight Generals are a fascinating spectacle that is worth watching.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this weeks 5 and its look at the Ba Jia Jiang. Coming up on Sunday we take a look at a New York based Italian photographer, and next week we’ll be doing some photo critique. Please share this post with your friends and don’t forget to hit the retweet button and leave a comment or two.