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NCKU International Students Experiencing Tainan’s Cultural Vitality Through Social Engagement
On August 29, the NCKU Research Center for Humanities and Social Sciences (CHASS), along with the Chinese Language Center, led a group of 16 students to participate in the traditional Tainan folk event, "Coming of Age at 16." The event, organized by the Shih Clan Ancestral Hall of the Taiwan Linpudang, included eight international students from countries like the United States, France, South Korea, and Mexico, as well as eight local students. Organizers hoped that through the ritual, an ancestral hall tour, and interactions with other local teenagers, the international students would gain a closer look at Tainan’s cultural heritage and the living practice of its folk beliefs.
The "Coming of Age at 16" tradition dates back to the historical period when Tainan, Lukang, and Monga (today’s Wanhua in Taipei) were major trade hubs, a time referred to by the saying, "First Tainan, second Lugang, third Monga." As a key port for cross-strait and international trade, Tainan had thriving dock industries and commerce. The ritual served as a rite of passage for young dock workers and adolescents entering adulthood, symbolizing responsibility, gratitude, and giving back. The Shih Clan Ancestral Hall, the event’s organizer, is located in the Anhai Harbor area, one of the historic Wutiaogang districts that once played a vital role as a port for Tainan.
Through this immersive experience, students participated in a life ritual that connected them to Tainan’s cultural heritage on a personal, communal, and urban level. After the event, the students expressed their excitement at being able to personally experience such a unique tradition. Some even asked about the stories behind the ritual, and with further explanation, they gained a deeper appreciation for Tainan’s distinctive folk culture.
Cheng-Ta Yang, Director of CHASS, noted that 2025 marks the 300th anniversary of Tainan’s founding, a significant milestone for the city. He emphasized that NCKU is advancing humanities-based initiatives under the theme "Rooted Locally, Connected Globally." By having both international and local students participate together, the Center not only demonstrates its commitment to preserving and passing on Tainan’s cultural heritage but also allows international students to learn about and understand Taiwan through direct engagement. This approach highlights NCKU’s path of combining both depth and warmth in linking international exchange with local engagement.
Director Yang further stressed that the "Coming of Age at 16" event is part of a series of activities the Center is holding to celebrate Tainan’s 300th anniversary. To continue the dialogue and broaden connections, the Center plans to host a forum at the end of the year on the "Preservation and Development of Local Culture in Tainan." The forum will focus on four key themes: historic district regeneration, community participation and governance, preservation and revitalization of folk culture, and intergenerational transmission in an aging society. It will bring together government agencies, academia, civil society groups, and community partners to foster cross-disciplinary dialogue and jointly envision a cultural blueprint for Tainan’s next century.
The "Coming of Age at 16" tradition dates back to the historical period when Tainan, Lukang, and Monga (today’s Wanhua in Taipei) were major trade hubs, a time referred to by the saying, "First Tainan, second Lugang, third Monga." As a key port for cross-strait and international trade, Tainan had thriving dock industries and commerce. The ritual served as a rite of passage for young dock workers and adolescents entering adulthood, symbolizing responsibility, gratitude, and giving back. The Shih Clan Ancestral Hall, the event’s organizer, is located in the Anhai Harbor area, one of the historic Wutiaogang districts that once played a vital role as a port for Tainan.
Through this immersive experience, students participated in a life ritual that connected them to Tainan’s cultural heritage on a personal, communal, and urban level. After the event, the students expressed their excitement at being able to personally experience such a unique tradition. Some even asked about the stories behind the ritual, and with further explanation, they gained a deeper appreciation for Tainan’s distinctive folk culture.
Cheng-Ta Yang, Director of CHASS, noted that 2025 marks the 300th anniversary of Tainan’s founding, a significant milestone for the city. He emphasized that NCKU is advancing humanities-based initiatives under the theme "Rooted Locally, Connected Globally." By having both international and local students participate together, the Center not only demonstrates its commitment to preserving and passing on Tainan’s cultural heritage but also allows international students to learn about and understand Taiwan through direct engagement. This approach highlights NCKU’s path of combining both depth and warmth in linking international exchange with local engagement.
Director Yang further stressed that the "Coming of Age at 16" event is part of a series of activities the Center is holding to celebrate Tainan’s 300th anniversary. To continue the dialogue and broaden connections, the Center plans to host a forum at the end of the year on the "Preservation and Development of Local Culture in Tainan." The forum will focus on four key themes: historic district regeneration, community participation and governance, preservation and revitalization of folk culture, and intergenerational transmission in an aging society. It will bring together government agencies, academia, civil society groups, and community partners to foster cross-disciplinary dialogue and jointly envision a cultural blueprint for Tainan’s next century.
NCKU’s Research Center for Humanities and Social Sciences (CHASS), together with the Chinese Language Center, led 16 students into the local community to take part in the traditional Tainan folk event “Coming of Age at 16.”
International students experience the ritual of “passing under the palanquin.”
International students took part in the ritual of “passing under the palanquin,” where completing three rounds is believed to bring blessings and ensure a smooth passage into adulthood.
