Elderly man continues his sweeping routine at impressive age of 98
In the vibrant streets of Taitung County, a 98-year-old street vendor named Chang Shui, affectionately known as "Old Chang the Broom Seller," continues to captivate the hearts of locals and visitors alike.
Chang's brooms are more than just household items; they are a living piece of Taiwanese folk culture. During the Bombing of Master Handan festival, his brooms are used in a traditional ritual, earning them the name "tiandi sao" or brooms swept between "heaven and earth."
Born in an era long past, there are no relevant search results providing information about Chang's birth date. However, his continued presence on the streets of Taitung suggests he is still healthy, according to longtime customer Ms Lee.
Ms Lee, who buys five or six brooms at a time, shared that meeting Chang is more than a transaction for longtime residents. It is about sharing blessings, memories, and human warmth. Believers say the brooms, once blessed in a fiery ritual, carry protective powers against evil.
Chang's signature brooms are tied with tiger grass and rattan strips, and he has been making these brooms for over six decades. His brooms require exceptional wrist strength to bind tightly, and a firm knot ensures the broom lasts for five years.
The continued production and sale of Chang's brooms ensures the preservation of Taiwanese folk culture. Locals track his movements on social media and rush to buy his brooms. Shoppers do not mind when Chang insists that it is the last batch of brooms, as he often reappears again.
Local historian Cheng Kuo-cheng noted that Chang's back is as straight as the brooms he sells. His brooms are made from mountain grass and rattan, and he is known for his handmade craftsmanship.
Smaller versions of Chang's brooms are used as talismans of blessing and protection in homes, temples, and indigenous households. The community holds Chang in high regard, and his brooms are trusted by many of his customers, some of whom buy more than a hundred at a time.
In a world where tradition can sometimes be lost, Old Chang the Broom Seller continues to preserve and share a piece of Taiwanese culture that resonates with the hearts of the people. His story is a testament to the power of tradition and the human connection that can be forged through simple, everyday objects.
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