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Island Folklore: Taiwanese Tales & Traditions

An online repository of Taiwan's folktales, history, legends, myths and traditions.

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Nine Categories of Taiwanese Folklore
Austronesian Folktale History Indo-European Japonic Legend Mythology Sinitic TraditionMarch 16, 2023March 16, 2023

Nine Categories of Taiwanese Folklore

We organize Taiwanese folklore into nine broad and overlapping categories. Four based on ethnic origin, and five on folkloric genre!

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The Story of Yuma
Austronesian History TraditionAugust 4, 2022February 16, 2023

The Story of Yuma

Yuma Taru is a legendary figure among the Atayal people of Taiwan. She has dedicated her life to preserving Taiwan’s indigenous heritage.

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Taiwan's Orchid Island: Ponso no Tao
Austronesian HistoryNovember 4, 2021November 1, 2021

Taiwan’s Orchid Island: Ponso no Tao

Taiwan is actually comprised of nearly 200 islands. One of these, Orchid Island, is home to the unique indigenous culture of the Tao people.

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Red Leaves: Taiwan's Baseball Fever
Austronesian HistoryMarch 4, 2021February 27, 2023

Red Leaves: Taiwan’s Baseball Fever

How the Red Leaves, an indigenous Taiwanese Little League team, emerged “out of left field” to ignite Taiwan’s baseball fever!

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The Dutch East India Company and Its Taiwanese Legacy
Austronesian History Indo-European SiniticJanuary 7, 2021January 3, 2023

The Dutch East India Company and Its Taiwanese Legacy

This is the story of how the Dutch East India Company arrived in Taiwan, named it, yanked it from its slumber and pushed it upon the world stage!

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Bullseye: Taiwan's Bunun People, Warriors and Hunters
Austronesian History TraditionApril 2, 2020March 25, 2020

Bullseye: Taiwan’s Bunun People, Warriors and Hunters

Taiwan’s Bunun people are an indigenous Formosan nation of famed warriors and skilled hunters.

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From Far Formosa: A Canadian-Taiwanese Story
Austronesian History Indo-European Legend SiniticDecember 5, 2019March 14, 2023

From Far Formosa: A Canadian-Taiwanese Story

How Canadian George Leslie Mackay built Taiwan’s Presbyterian Christian Church and brought healthcare to thousands.

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February 28: Terror in Formosa
Austronesian History SiniticNovember 28, 2019February 28, 2020

February 28: Terror in Formosa

An Australian newspaper’s real-time report of a massacre that forever scarred the Taiwanese.

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Bolivian Silver and Nagasaki Cash
Austronesian History Indo-European SiniticSeptember 5, 2019January 3, 2023

Bolivian Silver and Nagasaki Cash

The fascinating, global story of early Taiwanese money.

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Holy Cow: Taiwan's Bovine Folklore
Austronesian History Mythology Sinitic TraditionJuly 4, 2019August 20, 2020

Holy Cow: Taiwan’s Bovine Folklore

Taiwanese traditions that centre around the island’s cows, oxen and buffalos.

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Stories Behind Taiwan's Place-Names
Austronesian History Japonic SiniticDecember 25, 2018February 28, 2020

Stories Behind Taiwan’s Place-Names

A tongue-in-cheek guide to the bizarre and multifaceted history of Taiwanese toponyms.

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The Old Chieftain
Austronesian History LegendFebruary 1, 2018February 28, 2020

The Old Chieftain

The story of an old Taiwanese chieftain who dared to march against the Empire of Japan.

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