Located along the Zengwen River in Tainan’s Qigu District (formerly known as Qingshierfen Village), the Zhu-Qiao Elementary School Children’s Niuli Song Troupe has maintained a close-knit partnership with the local Qingshan Temple for over a century, jointly safeguarding and passing down traditional folk arts. Designated as an official intangible cultural heritage of Tainan City in 2015, the formation vividly embodies profound local religious beliefs and the essence of traditional rural life. Its greatest distinction lies in its unwavering adherence to ancient performance steps and traditional techniques, making it one of the very rare children’s Niuli (ox-plowing song and dance) formations in Taiwan still composed entirely of local village children. The children's innocent, endearing performances and exquisite costumes consistently steal the show at traditional incense-offering festivals, such as the Xigang Yixiang.
Facing the disruptions of modernization and a severe demographic decline, Zhu-Qiao Elementary School has pioneered the integration of the Niuli song formation into its core school-based curriculum. Through a collaborative effort involving teachers, students, parents, veteran community artists, and temple elders, the school systematically trains children in front-stage choreography and movement. Furthermore, it engages professional instructors to teach traditional back-stage instrumentation—including the kezi xian, daguang xian, yueqin, and Chinese flute—successfully mitigating the crisis of aging local musicians.
In recent years, the troupe has actively incorporated STEAM maker courses, guiding students to bridge traditional culture with modern technology. Together, they have developed Niuli-inspired biomimetic robots, cultural creative props, and self-made innovative headpieces, while also collaboratively illustrating the hometown picture book Ah Niu Plays with the Niuli. Combining traditional refinement with modern innovative vitality, the Zhu-Qiao Elementary School Niuli Song Troupe is frequently invited to major events such as the Tainan Arts Festival and the Kunshen Wang Ping’an Salt Festival. Earning widespread cross-disciplinary acclaim, the troupe serves as an invaluable cornerstone for cultural rooting within Taiwanese schools and communities.