Dona Slate House Introduction
The Dona Slate House is located in Dona Village, Maolin District. The early settlers of the tribe used local materials from the Wenshui Creek, using black-gray slate as building materials. The black-gray slate is divided into male and female slabs; the female slabs weather over time, while the male slabs are darker, heavier, and thicker, primarily used for roofs or bedding. The residents of Dona Village embody a spirit of mutual assistance, working together to stack the slate for the houses. Some slate houses feature totems of the hundred-step snake on the door frames or columns, symbolizing the status of chiefs or nobles. Living in slate houses provides warmth in winter and coolness in summer. A recommended stay time is about 30-40 minutes, during which visitors can appreciate the architectural features of the slate houses and also walk to nearby attractions such as the chief's house and Dona Elementary School.
