Tai'an Chuhuo Tribal Square Introduction
In Zhongxing Village of Taian Township, there are several tribes including Xidaobang, Chuhuo, and Simaxian. Both Chuhuo and Simaxian tribes possess natural underground gas, which the villagers utilize as a year-round, free energy source. They connect this gas to their homes or workshops for cooking bamboo shoots, drying clothes, cooking rice, bathing, and boiling water. The Simaxian tribe has fewer users due to the long gas pipeline, while the Chuhuo tribe has more than five households utilizing the gas due to easier access. The Chuhuo tribe is named after the flames that have been erupting from the ground for many years, promoting tourism in the area. The county government, along with indigenous council members, has sought funding from the central government to renovate the previously rudimentary rock-stacked Chuhuo Plaza and improve the surrounding environment. Chuhuo Plaza in Taian Township features six fire pits placed in a staggered arrangement, designed with elements of the Atayal tribe’s totem, embodying indigenous cultural charm. The six fire pits of "Chuhuo" produce a continuous flame "year-round," making it the first fire-breathing plaza in Miaoli County. Every year in May and June, many tourists visit "Chuhuo" to witness the fireflies. Additionally, in the future, it will host religious ceremonies in collaboration with the local church and serve as a venue for the tribe's harvest festival.
