Since ancient times, people of Taiwan have been constantly colonized and indoctrinated with ideologies of feudalism, emperors, and princes by colonizers. In order to survive from physical livelihood to mental suppression, most people have emerged themselves into a phenomenon of “self-handicapping and self-devaluation.” On the one hand many believe that only owners of power can be deemed as “god,” and on the other hand, people often resort to religion for comfort when life went suppressing. Today, these defied fighters had formed a system of a variety of folk custom pantheistic worships, thus the linkage between folk beliefs and Chinese culture has long ingrained among Taiwanese.
Taiwanese kids are introduced to high expectations since childhood, they cannot be complacent, and were urged to succeed in every effort. However, in the era of information explosion, people desire more from life than just living. Taiwan youth generation is facing the keen challenge of global capital competition and identity confusion with increasing pressure. In most cases, they choose to be obedient, and even complain about the society and it’s tradition in a compromised life.
In the past, fighters must fight for fame and peace in troubled times. Today, although there is no war in Taiwan, on this small island living the highly political sensitivity across the Taiwan strait. There are many traditions, such as Taiwanese rap 1 and “Benshi 2", that are facing extinction because of multiple colonial backgrounds and existing stakeholders in old political power game.
*1
“Taiwanese rap” used to be a popular folk entertainment in rural Taiwan community
*2
“Benshi” used to be performers who provided live narration for silent films. The role became artistic and political, providing political metaphors while interpreting the film during the period of martial law in Taiwan