How I Fell for a Traditional Taiwanese Performer
From Dawan Road to the Erren River: How I Fell for a Taiwanese "Kyoshi Warrior" Eight years ago, I left Indonesia to study in Taiwan. For a long time, my world revolved around the bustling student life of Yongkang Dawan Road. But recently, a move down south near Chianan University—right by the peaceful Erren River—completely changed my life. It wasn't just the change of scenery. It was here, on the borders of Tainan in a place called Wanli, that I stumbled upon a piece of living Taiwanese folklore. And, completely unexpectedly, I fell in love. Meeting Taiwan’s "Kyoshi Warriors" If you have ever watched Avatar: The Last Airbender , you know the Kyoshi Warriors—fierce, disciplined women who protect their community while wearing striking traditional makeup and armor. That is exactly who she reminded me of the first time I saw her perform. She is one of my students, but on that day, she was part of a traditional performance troupe called Su-Lan Jin (素蘭陣) . Watchin...
