The People of Taiwan

According to official governmental statistics, 98% of Taiwan's population is made up of "ethnic" Chinese and 2 % are considered Taiwanese aborigines.   I read somewhere that cross-ethnic mixing with their own and other groups is quickly giving a self-identity to the "Taiwanese".   Both their social and political experiences have helped to boost this new identity.   Walking through the stores, you notice a multi-cultural society that includes not only Asians, but also East Indians, Filipinos, Americans and Europeans.  Statistics show that 25% of the marriages are racially or culturally mixed and 1 out of every 12 children born has mixed parentage.

Maybe these facts have helped in the development of a rather open and friendly interaction with foreigners.  People will look at us without giving us a feeling of staring and if you acknowledge them they will heartily give a greeting in English.   Taipei has a population of almost 3 million and yet you very rarely hear the blast of a horn in protest or anger.  In a cab the other day I heard someone honk but it was more of an acknowledgment that the light had changed...just one rather short beep.  Everyone is very orderly in walking down crowded sidewalks, motor scooters everywhere appear to be given the right of way, and checkouts always have a line with no pushing or shoving.  It gives a relaxed sense of security.  People will leave their purses, cell phones, etc. on a table while they go get something to eat and no one seems to worry about losing them.

Academia Sinica has two museums dedicated to the history of the island:  The Museum of the Institute of History and Philology and the Museum of the Institute of Ethnology.   Below are a few of the artifacts found in the museum.

THE MUSEUM OF HISTORY AND PHILOLOGY:

Graded Po Bells

Bronze Ox Cauldron

Embroidered shirt

Red pottery Kuei Pitcher

Yen Steamer

The Nuo god and Nuo goddess of the Miao people are the brother and sister in the story of a great flood.

This is the best-preserved and most complete wooden slip text extant, with the wooden pieces, strings, and ink all mostly intact

MUSEUM OF THE INSTITUTE OF ETHNOLOGY