Read, read, read, check out this article! Called Asia’s deadly secret, betel nut is particularly popular in Taiwan, where it’s served up streetside by scantily clad “betel nut beauties.” Source: Taiwan tries to kick deadly addiction to betel nuts – CNN.com Continue reading Taiwan tries to kick deadly addiction to betel nuts – CNN.com
Interesting article with facts and figures about Opium in Taiwan during the Japanese colonial era…. Source: The View from Taiwan: Paper on Parade: The Demand for Opium in Colonial Taiwan, 1914-42 Continue reading The View from Taiwan: Paper on Parade: The Demand for Opium in Colonial Taiwan, 1914-42
Interesting article…. Beneath Taiwan’s modern façade are beliefs that stretch back for millennia. For insight into how people really think, you need to know about folk religion. Source: The Way of the Gods – Folk Religion in Taiwan – Taiwan Business TOPICS Continue reading The Way of the Gods – Folk Religion in Taiwan – Taiwan Business TOPICS
Every year at Dragon Boat Festival time, Tamsui and Sanzhi hold massive parades involving hundreds of gods, deities, idols, lion dancers, horn-blowers, drummers, firecracker-lighters and participants from the temples all around. On Friday it was the turn of Tamsui, yesterday was the turn of Sanzhi. This is known as 大拜拜 (da bai-bai) ‘Big Worship’. ‘Bai-bai’ specifically refers to traditional religious worship in the home or temple, involving offerings of incense and maybe food to the ancestors or deities. Here in Sanzhi, people have been preparing for days, setting up small altars in the doorways of their homes or business. That’s … Continue reading Sanzhi 三芝 Parade of the Deities
Very interesting article…. Around half of Taiwan’s population lack a gene required for metabolising alcohol – Health News – Health & Families – The Independent. Continue reading Around half of Taiwan’s population lack a gene required for metabolising alcohol – Health News – Health & Families – The Independent
Taiwan’s Ghost Month starts today. Everyone is busy making offerings to the ghosts and burning ghost money. From now on, for a whole month, people are generally fearful, expecting the worst in every bad situation. A lot of prayer is needed. This article is very clear, explaining the taboos… Top 10 taboos to avoid during Ghost Month in Taiwan | Culture | FOCUS TAIWAN – CNA ENGLISH NEWS. Continue reading Top 10 taboos to avoid during Ghost Month in Taiwan | Culture | FOCUS TAIWAN – CNA ENGLISH NEWS
Taiwan students storm education ministry in textbook protest – BBC News. Protesters Upset Over Textbook Changes March on Taiwan’s Education Ministry – The New York Times. Continue reading Taiwan students storm education ministry in textbook protest – BBC News
A nightmare of a week in Taiwan after the Colour Play Party disaster at the nearby water park last Saturday. Almost 500 injured, many critically – so far one has died, others may well follow. Everybody knows somebody who was there or who has been affected in some way. There are photos and messages all over social media asking for people’s prayers for the injured. This article sums up well the tragedy of the situation…. EDITORIAL: Emergency plans crucial to safety – Taipei Times. Continue reading EDITORIAL: Emergency plans crucial to safety – Taipei Times
Must-read ~ then must-come, must-see for yourself that it’s all true! Reasons to travel to Taiwan – Business Insider. Continue reading Reasons to travel to Taiwan – Business Insider
Catherine Lee 