By C. Perera, JadeTimes News
The birthplace of Taiwan Tainan, the island's oldest city, is celebrating its 400th anniversary by highlighting its rich multicultural past. In 1624, a fleet of Dutch East India Company ships arrived at a forested island off the coast of China, having failed to capture the Portuguese held Macau. The Dutch established a base on a long sandbank, building Fort Zeelandia and naming the settlement Tayouan, which later became known as Taiwan. They traded with the local Siraya people, whose Austronesian language was closer to Malay, Tagalog, and Māori than to Mandarin. Scholars believe the word "Taiwan" may derive from the Siraya term "tavo-an," meaning "meeting place."
This year marks 400 years since the founding of Fort Zeelandia and the city of Tainan. Celebrations, under the theme "Tainan, Where You Belong," feature a year long series of concerts, exhibitions, and public events exploring the city’s diverse stories. Tainan remains a vibrant mix of old and new, with ancient monuments and narrow alleys coexisting alongside modern high rises. The city is known for its numerous Buddhist and Taoist temples, adding to its cultural richness.
Fort Zeelandia still stands in Tainan's Anping district, where visitors can explore its historic ruins. Nearby, the Kaitai Tianhou temple, dedicated to the sea goddess Mazu, dates back to 1668 and remains a site of traditional practices. Tainan's street food culture is also a highlight, with local delicacies such as coffin bread and other snacks attracting both locals and tourists.
Before the Dutch arrived, Taiwan was home to various Indigenous groups. The first school in modern day Tainan, established in 1636, taught in Siraya. In 1661, the Ming dynasty rebel Koxinga seized Fort Zeelandia, expelling the Dutch and initiating waves of migration from China. The Qing dynasty later took control, bringing more settlers, including Hakka speakers. Taiwan then experienced Japanese rule from 1895 until the end of World War Two, after which Mandarin became the dominant language under Nationalist rule.
Despite attempts to impose a monocultural identity, Taiwan has maintained its linguistic and cultural diversity, particularly in Tainan. The city's commitment to preserving its heritage is evident in initiatives like the Tainan 400 celebrations, which promote Taiwanese, Siraya, and Hakka languages.
Head of the cultural foundation at Tainan's Confucius temple, emphasizes the importance of language in expressing Taiwanese identity. Efforts to revive the Taiwanese language are ongoing, with younger generations now learning it in schools. YouTuber Chiu Ka éng, known as Ayo, also works to preserve the language through her popular channel.
The revival of the Siraya language is led by Indigenous advocate Uma Talavan and her husband Edgar Macapli. Inspired by an old translation of the Gospel of Matthew, they have reintroduced Siraya to schools across Tainan, aiming for its full integration into the education system.
Celebrating its 400th anniversary, Tainan showcases Taiwan's rich and complex history, reminding us that identity is multifaceted. As Dr.Tshioh suggests, embracing this hybridity can help the people of Taiwan find peace with their diverse heritage.
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