SHOW-AND-TELL

I thought I'd start putting interesting findings here from China trips, update and share as I go along. Sounds a good idea at the moment at any rate. 

First up is 
Smangus 'Yaya' (Atayal word for mother) mother tree and 
Yunnan Wenji the mantra-listener

Inspired by this morning from a FB conversation Yaya is Greek word for Grandmother. Not suggesting there is a linguistic link, not at all, nevertheless interesting facts. 

Upon seeing Wenji's the beginning of the year on a 3-week Yunnan trip, instantly reminding me of Smangus Yaya tree, therefore a connection was made. 

The two trees, however, have VERY different background story - one from ancient time , the other from less than 30 years ago. 


1. Smangus, Taiwan - 
Yaya Qparung 媽媽之樹 Mother Tree

How old is the tree? I asked the question in 2017 on a 3 days-2 nights trip, no credible response - just 'thousand-years old'. 
Reading Pina Wu's this article, however, I appreciate why. It is the result of a deliberate search in 1991. And no one really knew or interested in finding out - including the tribal chief Icyeh Sulung. My understanding/impression at that point. 

"Back in the 1990s, the village economy was based on mushroom and fruit production. With limited road access high up in the mountains (1500m a.s.l.) the village could not support everyone and youngsters had to leave for education and work in the plains, also losing their native language along the way. In 1991, under the guidance of tribal chief Icyeh Sulung, a group of villagers set out to look for potential tourism attractions. They quickly focused on a group of “giant trees”, red cypresses over one thousand years old. Seeing both the trees and the forest, the villagers, with the assistance of Cardinal Tien Cultural Foundation³, persuaded the county government to widen the road and make it accessible by cars in 1995. Tourists started trickling in the village."

(update: just checked old files of Smangus, I was told the tree was 2500 years old by the guide and the second largest Red Cypress in Taiwan. Although I don't have a picture of a sign actually saying this and don't remember if there was one)

Wenji, Yunnan - 
Ancient Cypress 翁基古柏 The Mantra-Listener

2. Taipei a Superimposition of a China Map

At Xinsheng South, Heping East Intersection means I am in Zhejiang Province, with Jinhua (street), its Capital city in 7 o'clock position. 

When I say to people "Wow - Taipei is actually a China map!" Almost all of them, including foreigners say "why are you surprised? I always know that, there are many street names changed to China's after 1949". 

I say "NO. I mean Taipei IS a China Map!" - still many don't get it and ignore me. I have therefore, at opportunities, took peoples up this overhead bridge down the road from our house, and show them EXACTLY what I mean. They all went a bit shocked hearing me out - including Taipei locals.

It is complicated to explain, I will just brief it here. The best way, is still, show and explain  from the bridge. I first noticed this 'dictator manipulative mentality' some 5 years ago when I was walking along Dihua street, I suddenly thought this is strange, all these street names are exactly the same position of China West and Northwest. One day, at Daan forest park neighbourhood, I suddenly thought this is weirder and weirder, because I have Jinhua, I have Wenzhou ... I am in Zhejiang! Then I have Fuzhou, Xiamen, Quanzhou in the South, and that is Fujian! Bingo! I then started to do bit of research. 

I was first told by a Historian friend that he had consulted Lung Yingtai in her "Big River, Big Sea — Untold Stories of 1949" in a number of places. And he told me Lung mentioned this phenomenon but not in details. 

I was soon informed (source I don't recall) that Taipei city plan was made/designed by a Shanghai architect called 鄭定邦 first Taipei trip in 1946. And only recently in the last year or so, I found this article with great details by The News Lens 羅元祺.   https://www.thenewslens.com/article/84037

SHOW-AND-TELL - SHANGHAI-TAIPEI -  2019

I did research on Astoria Cafe for our book. I had always thought next time in Shanghai, I must go to the original Astoria location. It is no longer there, I know, but having spent quite a bit of time researching and enjoying it, I wanted to go and see. So earlier this year, I did. The original road where first Astoria located was named after Joseph Joffre. 

Astoria Taipei was on Wuchang Road, by Chongqing South Road. The Presidential area is of course, Sichuan Chongqing. 

This is the testimonial part! I noticed that original Astoria Shanghai location ALSO situated on/by Chongqing South Road!! 

Update 2/16/2022

Discriminative racist term (to Xinjiang/Mongolia) used in Ming - Qing dynasty reformed and rectified in China. But continues in Taipei (for the examples I found in Dadaocheng. Other cases might exist elsewhere in Taiwan). 

Current Taiwan tourism: No sign of acknowledging, raising awareness the political incorrectness nor rectifications of the discriminative implications. 

'Dihua' remain most promoted and popular tourist street in Taipei.

Originally posted on Facebook after a Dihua street nightout. (FB original text only)

1. Dihua Street 迪化街 Taipei

Dihua 迪化 a city name banned in China - being racist and political incorrect. Cynically continued to be used in Taiwan, since manipulated by Chiang KS.

Dihua is a disrespect term used to Xinjiang minority in China since Qing or before.

Origin 啟迪教化. Cultivate the uncivilised.

Cynically continues in Taipei Taiwan in a most popular tourist resort.

Dihua in China has been changed to Ürümqi where it belongs.

2. Another politically incorrect (racist ) place name used in Ming to Qing dynasty discontinued and renamed in China ...

Cynically continues in Dadaocheng Taipei since Chiang KS dictatorship is ...

Kweisui Street 歸綏街

Kweisui 歸綏 inner Mongolia capital in origin means naturalization (Han-zation) (歸化).

Kweisui in China has been changed to Hohhot /Khökh kho (in its original Mongolia meaning ) .

While Taiwan, cynically continues the political incorrectness in a most popular tourist area in Taipei.

Clearly not a priority in promoting Taiwan identity,  nevertheless indicates a continuing inconsistency/sloppiness in raising awareness.

 3. In 1956, Mao gave minority 夷 people a new name after accepting 夷 people appeal that 夷 is discriminative (refers to ancient barbarians ).

The new name is 彝 means  prosperous society.

A dictator's reform,  just like that.

Whatever you question Mao's motive,  it is done.

-----

In Taiwan, being educated under Chiang's martial law, I never come across any suggestion 夷 is discriminative.

But it does make sense now.... why Yunnan minority is known as 擺夷 in Taiwan, but not anymore in China, it is now 傣 (Dai) .

1956 年，在破除舊社會的民族歧視稱期間，彝族派代表進京會見毛主席，毛主席了解情況和聽取意見後給出建議，由於“夷族”之稱帶有貶義（蠻夷），便將“夷”改為“彝”，意為房子（彑）下面有“米”有“絲”、有吃有穿，象徵興旺發達，故把“夷族”改為“彝族”。