The way of life

B) The Traditions of the place
Holidays and festivals
Taiwanese celebrate many different occasions, which mainly originated from ancient China. The most important celebration is the New Year, which is held on the 1st day of the lunar year and ends on the 15th day of the first lunar month. Lasting for several weeks, before and after, due to preparations and festivities, the preparation includes New Year’s delicacies, decorations, firecrackers, parades and visiting of friends & relatives’ homes.

The 23rd day of the third lunar month is a special day for many sailors and fishermen. It is the birthday of Matsu, the traditional folk goddess of the sea, who protects these people from any harm. This celebration is particularly large in Peikang, a town near Taiwan’s western coast and houses one of Matsu’s most important temples. During the celebration, folk music, dancing, puppet shows and other performances would be available to entertain the crowds. People usually carry large statues that represent Matsu herself as well as her fellow gods and goddesses when they go to the temple.

Matsu Festival

Other festivals include: Mid-Autumn Festival, the Dragon Boat Festival, the Tomb Sweeping Festival, and the Birthday of Confucius (Teacher’s Day).

Paying respect to one’s ancestors is also important in traditional religious practices. Relatives burn paper money, cars and houses in order to honour deceased family members as they believe that wealth may be passed on to the ancestors in the Netherworld.

Tajwan has an abundance of temples housing various household and regional gods; this symbolizes the local beliefs of the residents.

The indigenous groups celebrate their own festivals such as harvest festivals to offer gratitude. The Amis and Rukai people would sing and dance for this joyous occasion. The most important celebration for the Yami people is the Flying Fish Festival, which marks the springtime arrival of the fish.

Schools, government offices and shops are closed on non-religious holidays in Taiwan as they mark important events or honour prominent figures in its history. One such holiday is Double Ten Day, held on October 10, which commemorates the birth of the Republic of China (ROC) on the same day in 1911. This is celebrated with parades and fireworks, as well as a prepared speech made by the president.

Guan Xi (Relationships) and keeping face
Guan xi refers to the relationships between people. The Taiwanese treat appreciating the effort and returning the favour to the person helping them very seriously. This is important as social network is needed in the working society.

“Keeping face” is part of a Chinese society, which means upholding a person’s dignity in the society.

Daily practices
Due to the economic boom in the late 1950s and the 1960s, many Taiwanese lifestyles were affected. The country’s progress towards high industrialization and technological advancements is evident in the people’s daily lives.

As people become wealthier and are moving towards the urban areas, they are able to afford vehicles. However, it also causes environmental and noise pollution.

On the other hand, it is not true that all living in the rural areas are poor. Some are also able to enjoy modern comforts. For example, they have boast antennas to improve the reception of urban television broadcasts.

Taiwan is influenced by the Western cultures like Europe and North America. Some examples are: the dressing styles and entertainment which are similar to them.

Taipei, the country’s most popular tourist destination, has many Internet cafes, where patrons can use computers with high-speed Internet connections, while sipping some hot coffee or tea.

Family ties
Although family members may still live closely in the neighbourhood, the responsibility for taking care of the older people has gradually been shifted to the government.

In the modern society, women have different roles to play. They are significant in the working population as they dominate the labour force in electronics manufacturing & textile industry. Women are able to take up a broader range of jobs such as banking, medicine, and the armed forces.

However, these women are facing challenges in the society. The most serious is prostitution, which is illegal in Taiwan. Some started from a young age as they were sold to help earn money for the family while others were being tricked into prostitution.

Weddings
Although the Taiwanese lifestyle has been influenced by the West, occasions like weddings and funerals still keep the customs, traditions and values intact. In the past generations, it is common to have arranged marriages where the groom and bride might not even have seen each other until the wedding day. In the modern society, most are able to choose their own spouses. However, parents still bring their children together in the Xiang qin sessions, which means matchmaking.

When a couple gets engaged, their parents would consult suan ming shi, fortune-tellers, to determine whether it is a good match and to choose an auspicious date. After the wedding ceremony, the couple would have their farewell meal at the bride’s house, which symbolizes the last meal the bride takes in her own home. Upon reaching the groom’s house, the couple must pay respects to the family ancestors at the family altar.

Funerals
Chinese death customs involve elaborate rituals prior to and during cremations or burials. The Chinese believe that a person will become a spirit in his/her afterlife. Thus, certain rites must be performed to cater to the deceased’s spirit. Family members of the deceased wear white clothes to show their respect and grief. A 7-week mourning period is a custom, where offerings (paper money, paper cars, paper houses, paper clothes and other goods) are burned for the spirits. It is a belief that they the spirits would be able to receive and lead an affluent lifestyle in the Netherworld.

Family members of the deceased