Lalu Island Introduction
Lalu Island is said to be the residence of the highest ancestral spirit of the Thao people and is one of the early settlements of the Thao. The Nantou County Government designated Lalu Island as the sacred site of the Thao ancestors to show respect for the Thao people. In 2000, the Thao planted banyan trees on the island, symbolizing the continuous cultural heritage of the Thao descendants. Lalu Island still holds its sacredness and symbolic significance today. The Thao people believe that their highest ancestral spirit resides on Lalu, and traditionally, any woman wishing to become a "Sien-Sian-Ma" (the Thao term for a traditional ritual master) must be accompanied by a senior Sien-Sian-Ma to ascend Lalu Island by boat to experience the revelations of the highest ancestral spirit. Only after receiving affirmation can they be considered qualified to enter. This shows the sacred status of Lalu Island in the hearts of the Thao people. Throughout different eras and contexts, Lalu Island has had several other names; during the Qing Dynasty, it was referred to as "Zhu Yu," "Zhu Shan," or "Zhu Zi Shan"; the Japanese called it "Tamashima"; and after World War II, it was referred to as "Guanghua Island," meaning "Shining China." It was later officially named Lalu Island.
