As an island nation, Taiwan offers a variety of water activities. However, the outrigger canoe, which carries the rich cultural heritage of the Austronesian peoples of the Pacific, remains relatively unknown. Yvonne Chiang, a passionate ocean enthusiast, first encountered outrigger canoes years ago in Hawaii. Despite hearing from fellow paddlers that Taiwan is the origin of the Austronesian language family, Yvonne was unfamiliar with Taiwanese Indigenous culture. It wasn't until she returned to Taiwan in 2020 due to the pandemic, driven by her love for outrigger canoe culture and a desire to learn more about Indigenous culture, that she came to Taitung. There, she was amazed to discover Taiwan's significant role in Austronesian history. The outrigger canoe sport she was passionate about found deeper resonance in Taitung.
Encouraged and supported by the international paddling community, Yvonne independently funded the purchase of canoes and established the "Taiwan Outrigger Canoe Club" (TOCC) and the "Taiwan Outrigger Canoe Voyaging Society" (TOCVS) in Taitung. Yvonne's dream is to make Taitung a hub for the revival of Taiwan's ocean culture. She hopes more people will witness the beautiful fusion of Taiwanese Indigenous culture and Austronesian culture, build closer global relationships, and enable Taiwan to play a more significant role in the global Austronesian network.
Becoming Cultural Paddlers – Queen Liliʻuokalani Canoe Race in Hawaii
When you fall in love with the ocean, you'll be willing to do many things for it. Taiwan is the homeland of the Austronesian language family. The prehistoric inhabitants of the island had excellent navigational abilities, closely interacting with neighboring islands. The ancient Austronesian language from Taiwan spread as a result.
Astronauts of the Sea: Returning to the Roots of Maritime Culture
Four thousand years ago, the people inhabiting Taiwan were skilled in navigation. Their voyage had spread the Austronesian languages across islands of Southeast Asia and Oceania. Thus, The Austronesian languages became the most used language from Hawaiʻi, Rapa Nui (Easter Island), Aotearoa (New Zealand) to Madagascar.
