Elders, old houses and old landscape of Longchuanwo
Longqi District was called Indigenous Community in the past, which belonged to the tail edge of Alishan. It is a bad land. Longqi District’s altitude ranges is from 80 meters to 350 meters, so you can even say that it is a barren land. Over 90% of areas of the district are limited as protected range; thus, the development of the district is severely restricted. Longqi district has less than 4,000 population which is the smallest number among the districts of Tainan city. Driven by the emigration and falling fertility rate, population aging of Longqi District is dramatic. In August 2020, an estimated 28% of the populations were aged 65 or older and the aging index reached 623.12%. Longqi District leading other areas of Taiwan became a super aged society.
Longchuanwo is a highland of Longqi District. It is located on the Longchuan Mountain where the great place to enjoy sun-rising. It used to be the settlement of Siraya people. About 440 residents live in Longchuan Village, and 31% of them are aged 65 or over.
Zizhusi Temple honoring Guanyin is situated in the top of Longchuan Mountain, where is the center of religion of local residents. In the square of the temple parks the dragon boat sculpture which carries collective memories of the communityFamilism bred-in the-bone makes mutual help as the core principle between interpersonal interactions. The silhouettes of elders walk along the path to Zizhusi Temple, with the chatting and laughing from the square of the temple constructing the most beautiful scene in Longchuanwo.
In the mountains with old friends
Every morning, the three elders named A-duan, Siou-mei, and A-chin take a stroll together. All of them are about 90 years old! Some elders have been illiterate and widowed for many years. However, their children have already left and found some jobs in the city. Even though their descendants always try to find the time to visit them, they can only just talk to themselves most of the time. Overlook the peaceful mountain scenery by the front window of the house, you can often hear the sound of the wind with soft barks of the neighbors’ old dogs!
Elders suffered many privations when they were young, and their dark skins appear clear wrinkles year after year. Their deformed hands and articulation of knees also show that they were born in the heavy burden of life.
Elders have a sentimental attachment to their hometown. Therefore, they all persist in “looking after houses.” Besides, they may get more aches and pains as they get older, so they will need to buy food by vegetable carts and go to the doctor by medical vehicles. Nothing can bend their will to leave their land. This hill has become their territory. Elders accompany with each other. They often “chit-chat” in front of Siou-mei's house, and even participate in activities together. The three old sisters are like unbeatable chivalrous women who have lived in Peach Blossomlocated on the mountain for many years. Although the twilight is boundless and a sense of loneliness arose spontaneously, they are still satisfied with the company of each other.
Cautious elders opened doors for youngsters
There are just a few people in Longchuanwo. Almost everyone who lives here knows each other. Once they see a new face come, it will attract their attention. Elders who have lived alone for many years are not used to letting strangers into their houses just on the safe side. Elders not even open the door and invite people into the house unless they are at the temple entrance or stronghold. That is why it was rare to see elders open their doors for youngsters.
Until the year before last year, youngs from Chang Jung Christian University came! The youngs came here to visit them! They concerned about the daily routine of elders by speaking poor Taiwanese, hanging on to elders’ every word, and recording the stories of elders. They also helped elders check their blood pressure and do exercise. Sometimes they even just sheltered from the sun with elders by sitting in front of the temple. With time passing by, youngsters have got familiar with the three sisters, A-duan, Siou-mei, and A-chin.
Hand in Hand go on an adventure
Youngsters chatted about everything with elders from outdoors to indoors, from the frontage of the temple to the community center. They seemed to travel around the countries together! Youngsters even brought their cool computer games to Longchuan Mountain and encouraged elders to wiggle their bodies with the games on the computer. Although elders were sometimes unable to participate in whole activities because of their age, they still came to the venue watching and laughing with everyone! It seemed that everything was acceptable and possible while staying with youngsters.
Illiteracy has always been the regret in elders’ hearts, let alone going to college! However, elders came to Chang Jung Christian University together today. They not only had a class for whole day, but also wore caps and gowns then took a picture arm in arm with youngsters they were familiar with. Elders’ dreams have finally come true. Youngsters’ tears, by contrast, welled up in their eyes!
For elders who have lived in the mountains for a long time, Taipei is farther than the alien planet. They thought that “High-Speed Rail” was not only a high-speed railway, but also synonymous with high-class and costliness. With the company of youngsters, elders took the high-speed rail to the legendary “National Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall”! Because of this trip, the three elders, A-duan, Siou-mei, and A-chin have known that they could not merely accompany with each other in the mountain village, but likewise travel with each other around the country. What a great experience!
Old friends + New friends + Cheerful things
In the twilight, elders who live on their own in the mountains are still accompanied by each other, but the difference is that they have some young and new friends, and some novel things! In this mountain village at an altitude of 350 meters, youngsters listened to the chatter and reminders of elders’ daily trifles. They also held elders’ hands, which were rough and covered with calluses frequently as if they had passed through decades. How amazing the time refines the gentle tolerance of life!
From 2018 members of the Project “Protect Elders in Longqi – Intergeneration work for caring future - Age Long” join the lives of elders and their footprints reached most place of Longqi!