I am in fact taking this opportunity to post about a very dark wood  commonly known as 烏木 ( wū mù) and the significant role it played in Taiwanese culture. Its fruit  'velvet persimmon' 毛柿 in several indigenous language is kamaya -  possibly a loan word from the Philippines (Tagalog). Its timber precious 'Ebony'  used for making most expensive furniture. During an Eastern Taiwan trip in 2021 - a local Taiwanese friend shouted out "That's  wū mù! The darker the wood the more expensive!" - I, of course, immediately took a photo. To add - the tree was very tall and it wasn't fruiting season.  I have also seen it  on a number of occasions in different parts of Taiwan. A major scene in TV drama "Seqalu: Formosa 1867", Paljalim (who triggered The Rover Incident ) shouted out (in claiming leadership/territory, from my recollection) "WHERE is my 烏木  wū mù!?"   PUPPET FLOWER (A novel of1867 Formosa) -  " A gripping work of historica...

UPDATE 10/22/2023  Etymology -  (Tang dynasty) yiyi 薏苡 developed into Saisiyat titi. Development stages -  Chinese yiyizhu 薏苡珠 (yiyi seen documented in Tang dynasty) - Saisiyat titijun -titibon-titiyon JUN - in Titijun is the origin of 朱 surname. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tinawbon Ciba 糍粑 Hakka I have been wondering about some Saisiyat words for about 10 years now, maybe because I kinda 'knew' about it the longest among other indigenous languages. On-off explore at opportunities and at random. ta'ya was the first I was curious about which I blogged HERE . The post was done just under a year ago - and I would have to say, after 2 Japan trips in the first half of 2023, I have plenty more interesting to say about 'short-people-legends', not going to elaborate here or now, but  I would say there are plenty to update on the topic. Tinawbon and Tibtibon -  Both 'Bon' I believe borrowed from Bon meaning Rice 米 (c...