“Go! Go! Don’t give up!”
The air seemed to freeze in that very moment — only one sound filled the entire space: the unified cheering of everyone shouting “Go for it!" Every spectator held their breath, waiting for the young boys of the village to complete this ritual of courage and transformation.
This was the annual Millet Harvest Festival of the Lalauan community.
Typhoon Kemi had not yet passed; the wind and rain came and went, but nothing could dampen the passion of those gathered.
In this festival, millet plays a vital role — it is at the very heart of the celebration.
It is believed that the gods will descend along the sky ladder to visit and bless the children.
#penalalautan — The Children Climb the Sky Ladder
The boys must climb a tall bamboo pole and gently touch the hanging strands of millet — this is part of their rite of passage, with each stage bringing its own challenges. The pole-climbing ritual is reserved only for elementary school boys; once they graduate, they can no longer participate.
At the top of the pole, the boys lightly touch the millet to invite the blessings of the gods. It is said that the gods descend along the “sky ladder” to visit and bless the children.
Farmer Lin Chien-Chung explains:
“Climbing the bamboo pole symbolizes the children’s growth and the village’s prosperity. It also represents meeting with the ancestral spirits. The ritual is usually held outdoors, and when the boys touch the millet at the top, some grains fall onto the muddy ground below — those grains will sprout again, symbolizing new hope.”
At that moment, the excitement reached its peak.
When a child succeeded in reaching the top, the crowd erupted in cheers.
Everyone was moved by the children’s determination and bravery — so young, yet already so strong in spirit. And even those who did not manage to touch the millet were applauded with equal enthusiasm, for simply taking part in this rite of passage proved their cou
Through the pole-climbing ritual, the boys send a message to their ancestors:
“We have grown up. We are ready to protect the village.”
The Millet Harvest Festival carries a profound sense of ceremony. As the core of the ritual, millet is indispensable — the festival is not only a celebration of harvest, but also an offering of gratitude and prayer. Without millet, the celebration would lose its true meaning.
Lin continues:
“For me, growing millet is a mission. Millet is carved into our bones; its memory flows through our blood from generation to generation. For years I’ve been working to revive this culture and bring back millet cultivation. Millet has taught me so much — lessons rooted in the depth of our traditional culture. These lessons have become the nourishment that helps me face challenges in both work and life.”
