Ita Thao is the settlement of the Thao ethnic group who have lived by the Sun Moon Lake for generations. It was formerly known as Tehwa Community. In many people’s minds, Ita Thao is just a pier by the Sun Moon Lake. However, on the mountain side across the lake-circling highway, there is also the Ita Thao prefabricated house tribal area, which is also the entrance to the Shuishalian Mountain Trail. Ita Thao Street is a very cultural block in the Sun Moon Lake area. There are handicraft and specialty stores on both sides of the street. And in the prefabricated house tribe at the entrance of Shuishalian Mountain, the simple exterior walls are painted with Thao ethnic group stories. The combination of the two has a unique charm.
The Deer-Chasing Market: Coming to the Ita Thao tribe, it is not difficult to feel the original culture of the Thao ethnic group. Here is the Deer-Chasing Market. The name is derived from the white deer legend in the Thao ethnic group’s legendary story. It is located in the south area of Ita Thao Pier.
Harvest Festival: The seasonal rituals of the Thao ethnic group include sowing festival, weeding festival, hunting festival, eel worship festival, harvest festival, etc. Every year during August in the lunar calendar is the harvest festival of the Thao ethnic group. If there is a chief priest recommended, a nearly one-month ‘big new year’ will be held. If not, a four-day ‘small new year’ will be held. During the ‘big new year’ harvest festival, the whole ethnic group will be mobilized.Rituals and Legends of the Thao Ethnic Group
The Thao people engage in various rituals that are deeply rooted in their culture and traditions. These include:
1. Pounding stone sounds
2. Worshiping the ancestral basket
3. Praying by rubbing arms
4. Tooth chiseling ceremony
5. Building ancestral spirit houses
6. Praying for blessings with the sun and moon shields
According to Thao legend, their ancestors originated from Alishan. They encountered a large white deer in the mountains and, in pursuit of it, traversed many mountains and ridges until they reached Sun Moon Lake. The lake, with its abundant fish and stunning scenery, captivated them, and they decided to settle there. Lalu Island within the lake has become their sacred ancestral spirit land, while Shuishalian Mountain is regarded as a holy mountain.
Visiting Hours
The Thao ancestral sites and cultural practices are open to visitors all day, every day, throughout the year.
