colonialism Archives | Island Folklore

Taiwanese Language: History, Culture and Linguistics

Taiwanese is more than a language; it’s a symbol of Taiwan’s rich culture, history and a living embodiment of Taiwan’s heritage and identity.

Taiwan has had many names over the centuries. What do they mean? Where do they come from? Here’s a rundown of these names and their origins!

Taiwan’s not a big place. But it is home to an incredible diversity of cultures with 16 native Austronesian nations and three Sinitic groups.

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

The Taiwan dollar is Taiwan’s legal tender. This is the story of the modern Taiwanese currency and its predecessor the Taiwanese yen!

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!

The Taiwan Jingū (Grand Shrine of Taiwan) was chief among Taiwan’s 66 official Shinto shrines. What happened to it? Find out here!

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

The fascinating, global story of early Taiwanese money.

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

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

This is the legendary tale of a petty criminal who became an outlaw and a folk hero in Taiwan.