TAIWAN

Formation of Taiwan and its

geographical position
The shape of the Island of
Taiwan is like a spindle-shaped
sweet potato. Its north-south
direction is 385km long and its east-
west direction is 143km wide. The
topography of the Island of Taiwan
is varied and complicated.
The bustling town of Taipei
Taipei City, situated at the center
of the Taipei Basin in the northern
part of the Taiwan main island,
borders Taipei County with the river
flow of Tamsui River, Hsintien Shih
and Keelung River, where the city
encompasses 272 square kilometers.
Where the region is shaped by the
Sungshan Hill in northewest and the
Chingsui Pit that offer a natural
shield and to the north are Mount
Datun, Mt/ Chishing, Mt. Chutze, Mt.
Mientien, which are collectively
referred as the Mt. Tatung ridges,
where remnants of various volcanic
geographies abound.
The Original Settlers
• Before the Han people
migration, evidence of
human settlement is
found around two
thousand years ago
during the Neolithic till
use of tools period.
Considerable stone tools
such as stone net
pendants, ceramic pieces
and stone axes have
been found on the
island’s prehistoric sites,
evidencing vibrant human
activities.
 Meeting and Greeting
Greetings are formal and the oldest person in a group is
always greeted first.
• Handshakes are the most common form of greeting with
foreigners.
• Many Taiwanese look towards the ground as a sign of
respect when greeting someone.
• You need not follow their example as they understand
that westerners tend to smile warmly when introduced.
• Most greetings include the rhetorical question, "Have you
eaten?"
 Custom

The Chinese traditionally have 3 names. The

surname, or family name is first and is followed by
one or two personal names. Chinese women do not
change their names when they marry other Chinese,
and the children’s last name will generally follow that
of the father. Often their personal names have some
poetic or otherwise significant meaning, so asking
about the meaning is a good way to break the ice.
Taiwan traditional foods
1. Koah-Pau or Gua-Bao – A
popular Taiwanese sandwich
2. Eel Noodles or Siān-Hî ì-Mī –
3. Lu Rou Fan or Braised Pork
Rice
4. Iron Eggs
5. Hotplate Tofu
6. Tian Bu La
7. Ba-Wan or Meatball Mochi – A
street food
8. Tai Yang Bing or Suncake – A
delectable dessert
 Religion in taiwan
Religion in Taiwan is characterize by a diversity of
religious beliefs and practices, predominantly those
pertaining to chinese culture. Freedom of religion is
inscribed in the constitution of the republik of china
According to the census of 2005, 35% of the population is
composed of buddhists 33% of Toaists (including local
religion) 3.9% of Christiansts 18.7% of people who identify
as not religious, and approximately 10% of adherents to
religious movements of Taoist or Confucian origin (among
them 3.5% adhere to Yiguandao).
 Traditional dance
Taipei Folk Dance Theatre was
founded in September 1988 by
Professor Tsai, Li-hua. As the
first professional ethnic dance
company in Taiwan, its stated
mission
is to promote as well as
preserve Taiwan’s varied dance
heritage, especially dances
originating from ethnic cultures
of the island’s colorful aboriginal
tribes, with the obvious
influence of Chinese traditional
dance.
Traditional costum
 The festival in taiwan
• Mayasvi Ceremony of the Tsou tribe
The Mayasvi is the holiest of all the
religious ceremonies of the Tsou tribe. In
the early years, it was held before a battle
or hunt; today, it is held annually in
February and is alternately organized by
the communities of Dabang and Tefuye in
Chiayi County. The ceremony is held at
the tribal gathering house for men
(Kupah).
New Year Ritual of the Puyuma tribe
The Puyuma were traditionally the most
warlike of Taiwan's indigenous peoples.
Every year toward the end of December,
the tribe holds the Monkey Ceremony, a
unique ritual that serves as a rite of
passage that marks the entry of tribal boys
into adulthood.