NCHU Hosts “tmangu: Thriving! Indigenous Literature and Botanic Week Exhibition”

The Indigenous Students Resource Center of the Office of Student Affairs, National Chung Hsing University (NCHU), together with the Central Region Indigenous Students Resource Center, is hosting the “tmangu: Thriving! Indigenous Literature and Botanic Week Exhibition “from May 21 to 25. The term “tmangu” means the sprouting and growth of plants in the Atayal language. The event aims to feature a series of exhibitions, lectures, and hands-on activities to introduce the traditional culture of Taiwan's indigenous peoples to faculty and students. Participants will explore their food, everyday crafts, natural environment, and hunting practices through the lens of literature and indigenous botanical knowledge.

The exhibition consists of two parts. The first part, the “Indigenous Literature Exhibition,” is organized by the NCHU Indigenous Students Resource Center and students. The second part, “Reproducing Forest Wisdom: Exhibition on the Ethnobotany of the Atayal Tribe,” highlights field research data provided by the Indigenous Peoples Commission of Taichung City Government and the Taichung Aboriginal Integrated People Service Center. Additionally, the event includes interactive activities such as handcrafting Paiwan flower crowns and weaving eco-friendly tote bags.

During the exhibition week, two indigenous cultural lectures will be held. The first lecture, titled “Tree Hollow Regeneration: Writing and Cultural Translation,” will be presented by Truku writer Apyang Imiq. This talk will explore how creative writing can serve as a form of cultural translation, discussing the experiences of youth entrepreneurship in tribal contexts. It will focus on the narrative of young people returning to their hometowns. The second lecture will be delivered by Professor Pi-Chen Liu, Vice Director of the Institute of Ethnology, Academia Sinica. Her lecture, titled “Amis Ritual Plants,” will share valuable research insights into traditional indigenous rituals and the application of ethnobotanical knowledge.

Vice President Chao-Chin Chang encouraged NCHU faculty and students to enrich their knowledge of diverse ethnic groups through the exhibition, recognizing and respecting the history and traditional culture of indigenous peoples, and fostering a friendly campus environment. Dean of Student Affairs Chin-Ying Yang expressed the hope that the exciting exhibitions and lectures would not only enhance indigenous students' cultural identity but also increase public awareness and understanding of ethnic integration and harmony.