today is the 15th day of the Lunar New Year which is mostly known for the lantern festival, which is nice family gathering enjoying savory Tang Yuans (湯圓) and lantern decorations are seen in many spots. However in the south of Taiwan (Tainan) there is a peculiar tradition called the Yanshui Beehive Festival (鹽水蜂炮) that happens on this day.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jPrpOxYcPE

On the day of the lantern festival, people gather around a bunch of fireworks that shoot outward into the crowd. Get hit by a firework and you have good luck for the year. It's crazy and super dangerous

This is a tradition brought over to Taiwan in the 19th century by Ming Rebels/Pirates as a loyalty test and rite-of-passage, somehow this tradition became one of "hey, if i get hit by a lot of fireworks at the start of the year, i'll have good luck!".

Taiwanese are weird sometimes 🤣