Settling Down: The Life of Military Dependents’ Villages and Taiwan’s History Museum Revisits the Past

Article by / MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel Life Network, reported and compiled by Li Xinyi

 

In 1949, a large number of military personnel and civilians from all over China traveled to this unfamiliar island of Taiwan through various migration methods. None of them ever imagined that this place, which they thought would be a temporary shelter, would become the home they would hold onto for the rest of their lives. The National Museum of Taiwan History’s special exhibition “Settling Down: Special Exhibition on Taiwan’s Military Dependents’ Villages” officially opened today (the 25th) on the 4th floor of the Exhibition and Education Building in the special exhibition room. In addition to items from the museum’s own collection, the exhibited artifacts also include valuable materials provided by the South Taiwan Military Dependents’ Village Culture, Dalin New Village, and private collectors. The museum has specially recreated the common floral-tiled exterior walls of military villages within the exhibition space. Through daily necessities and letters used by residents, the exhibition tells the story of how Taiwan’s military dependents’ villages were formed, their development over 60-plus years, and the life stories embedded within.

The “Settling Down: Special Exhibition on Taiwan’s Military Dependents’ Villages” is divided into four sections: “Packing Up Turbulence, Unpacking Hardship,” “Home: A Place of Refuge,” “Old Memories, New Spaces,” and “Taking Root and Flourishing.” As you step into the exhibition space, a ship docked at the harbor has just unloaded rows of colorful suitcases, taking visitors back to the time when mainland soldiers and civilians first arrived in Taiwan around 1949. Along bamboo fences, the suitcases carried on the shoulders and hands of migrants contained only a small amount of essential living items and precious belongings brought from their hometowns. Step by step, they built a home of their own on this unfamiliar land. Badges, certificates, national flags, and slogans created a unique atmosphere of patriotism in the villages. Everyday items made from repurposed military materials—such as lampshades made from artillery shells, tin writing pads, ashtrays, and lunchboxes—demonstrate the creative resourcefulness of the villagers, born out of frugality.

 

The National Museum of Taiwan History states that in 1949, when the Republic of China government relocated to Taiwan, the large number of military personnel and civilians who followed were assigned and dispersed to temporary residences across Taiwan based on their military branches and ranks. After more than 60 years of settlement and development, the villages and their residents have put down roots in Taiwan, becoming an important part of the nation’s society, culture, and history. Today, as many of these villages are demolished or rebuilt, the old landscapes and interpersonal dynamics are gradually fading away. However, the influence of military dependents’ village culture continues to take root and flourish across Taiwan.

 

The “Settling Down: Special Exhibition on Taiwan’s Military Dependents’ Villages” will run from now until June 2, 2013. Playing under the big trees surrounded by bamboo fences with neighbors and friends, carrying military-style metal lunchboxes to school… These childhood memories of military village kids will be brought back to life at the National Museum of Taiwan History.

 

 

● Extended Reading: Unfading Nostalgia – Exploring the Flavors of Kaohsiung’s Military Villages

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