Walking to Taitung — Cloud-Walking Taiwan

"Place the heart beneath the soles."

Through long, mindful walking,

let greed, anger, and delusion be ground into dust.

Through the aches of day after day,

the spirit empties—

returning to the origin of stillness and simplicity.

In 2008, to celebrate its 20th anniversary, U-Theatre embarked on its third “Cloud-Walking” pilgrimage around Taiwan.

From March 23 to May 11, over the course of fifty days, they walked through 100 townships, covering 1,200 kilometers.

By day, they walked in silence and presence.

By night, they drummed in temple courtyards, cultural centers, schools, and parks—

engaging in soulful exchanges with local artists and communities.

From this journey bloomed vibrant, living blossoms—

art and culture, radiant with beauty and life.

In early April 2008, U-Theatre arrived in Taitung during their Cloud-Walking journey.

Years later, they would write on Facebook:

“It was springtime—gentle weather, the season of Qingming and Children’s Day.

In those days, we walked with sincerity, drumming the lion’s roar of life into the earth,

Departing at dawn, walking by day, drumming by night,

Stepping with care toward Taiwan’s most beautiful tomorrow.”

They passed through places like Chenggong’s Ba-weng-weng, Chishang, the Hakka Cultural Park, Dapo Pond, the National Museum of Prehistory, and the Beinan Cultural Park.

“...the childlike necklace—like frog’s eyes...”

In the schoolyard of Sanxian Elementary in Chenggong, children played the “hug drums” and sang Amis folk songs.

In this music, one could feel the mountains and sea of Taitung,

white egrets crossing rice fields, old oxen working in silence,

clouds and sun shifting above endless green.

In Chishang, Brahma chants echoed from temples.

Golden rice fields stretched to the base of distant hills.

Farmers bent to their labor, their movements like prayer.

At Guanshan's Dianguang Elementary, Amis children performed in traditional dress;

in Haiduan’s Wulu Elementary, Bunun children sang eight-part harmony.

From Nanwang Elementary’s choir to Meishan Amis dancers,

to dragon and lion dances around Dapo Pond—

Taitung blossomed with nature’s beauty and cultural wealth.

U-Theatre shared rhythms with local groups—

"You strike my drum, I’ll play your music."

People marched in time with the beat;

before and after each show, they joined hands in circles, singing, dancing, smiling.

Joy arose—not from planning, but from presence.

Across four different performances, each unique in place and tone—

at times the thundering of drums,

at times the distant ringing of gongs—

what remained constant was the graceful motion of the performers,

turning, leaping, striking in harmony with the land.

Each stage was nature itself,

each night, a feast of sound and light that stirred the soul.

“The red sun sinks beyond the hills,

A shepherd sings his song... the melody echoing through green valleys...”

As the music faded, a feast awaited by the pond:

菜包粿 (vegetable rice buns), 五穀包 (multigrain parcels), 素肉粽 (vegetarian dumplings),

花生麻糬 (peanut mochi), 珍珠丸 (glutinous pearl balls)...

Dusk gave way to night.

Voices rose again under stars—

songs and dances on the grass beneath a sky fading from indigo to black.

Every day was full. Every day was a gift.

Cloud-Walking Taiwan · Reaching Taitung

Performance by｜U-Theatre Performing Arts Group

Sanxian Elementary School “Hug Drum” Ensemble

Meishan Community Amis Dance Troupe

Dapo Community Amis Singing & Dance Group, Chishang

Nanwang Elementary School Choir

Wulu Elementary School Bunun Eight-Part Harmony

Dianguang Elementary School Gagun Ensemble

Jingwen High School Performing Arts Class

Dates｜ April 3, April 5, April 6, April 7, 2008

Venues｜ Sanxiantai, Chenggong, Taitung

Dapo Pond, Chishang, Taitung

Beinan Cultural Park, Taitung

Luye Highland Park, Taitung