My artist friend had spent time here through the Tree Tree Tree Person Residency Project (森人藝駐計劃) and we were invited up to celebrate Christmas — a week early since the actual festivities are held in Tmbarah. “Christmas to Truku people is like the Lunar New Year [for Han-Taiwanese],” says Hayu Yudau, pastor of the Skadang Church in Tmbarah. Photo: Han Cheung, Taipei TimesSTUNNING VIEWSThe Japanese forcefully relocated most Truku off the mountains to better “govern” them in 1933. More songs are sung — usually three verses in Truku and one in Mandarin, and prayers are made in both languages. After breakfast, Hayu and the Tree Tree Tree Person crew head down a steep and slippery overgrown path for about 30 minutes until they reach the foundations of the ruined original Skadang church.

Source: Taipei Times December 24, 2020 15:56 UTC