Lalu Island Introduction
Lalu Island is said to be the dwelling place of the supreme ancestor spirit of the Thao people and is one of the early settlements of the Thao tribe. The Nantou County Government designated Lalu Island as a sacred ground for the Thao ancestor spirit in order to show respect for the Thao people. In 2000, the Thao people planted Kowat trees on the island, symbolizing the continuous cultural heritage of the Thao descendants. Lalu Island still holds its sacredness and symbolic significance today, as the Thao people believe that their supreme ancestor spirit resides on Lalu. Traditionally, any woman wishing to learn to become a "Mr. Mom" (a term used by the Thao for traditional ritual priests) must be accompanied by a senior "Mr. Mom" and take a boat to Lalu Island to experience the inspiration from the supreme ancestor spirit. Only after receiving confirmation can she be considered qualified to enter the practice, which highlights Lalu Island's sacred status in the hearts of the Thao people. However, throughout different eras and contexts, Lalu Island has had several other names; during the Qing Dynasty, it was referred to as "Pearl Islet," "Pearl Mountain," or "Pearl Hill;" the Japanese called it "Yukushima," and after World War II, it was named "Guanghua Island," meaning "Illuminating China," by the Kuomintang government before being officially renamed Lalu Island.
