In the afternoon, we have a guided tour of Hudi community by Mr. Yen.He has lived in Hudi community for over twenty years, so he is very familiar with the history of Hudi Community.
Mr. Yen teaching us how to remember the geographic location of the community
Hudi community is in the Yangmingshan National Park. Long ago, people who lived in Hudi community would gather materials from their environment to build their house. Yangmingshan National Park has lots of igneous rock, such as the Andesite. Therefore, there are houses made of Andesite all around the community.
Traditional architecture in the Hudi Community
Traditional Mingnan architecture is a combination of Andesite and red bricks. By looking at the different colors and structure of the outer wall, we can distinguish the age of the architectures. However, there wasn’t any brick kiln in the Yangmingshan to produce bricks. So, these red bricks were carried from the bottom of mountain by the ancestors hundred years ago.
Mr. Yen was describing the bricks of the architecture
Traditional architecture has lots of specialties that show the intelligence of the ancestors.
1.The roof
People roofed the house with tiles in an unique pattern which can avoid the rain from drifting inside their house. The ran will direcly come down the roof instead of staying on the roof.The tiles were stacked from the bottom to the top and overlapped with each other. This kind of roof is very hard to maintain. People in Hudi Community has spend lots of effort to preseve the meaninful historical spots in the village.
Roof of tradtional architectire
2. The outer brick wall
The ancestors had designed a protrusion on the wall which offers a little place for the birds to stand. This is a great idea to live with the nature.
The ancestors had designed a protrusion on the wall which offers a little place for the birds to stand. This is a great idea to live with the nature.
Outer brick wall of traditional architecture
3. The patterns of the wall
The patterns of the wall often contains many symbolisms. They wish the house owner a good luck such as giving birth to many kids or having a good harvest.
The patterns of the wall often contains many symbolisms. They wish the house owner a good luck such as giving birth to many kids or having a good harvest.
<Pictures taken by Grass Hope Taiwan Foundation and Earth's children>