During the mid-20th century the economy of Taiwan was depressed, unemployment and inflation rates were high, and the country was lacking in exports and goods. By the 1960s government took several steps to improve the economy and exports. In 1966, the government established the Kaohsiung Export Processing Zone, Asia’s first export processing zone, to expand the manufacturing production. The industrial sector surpassed the agriculture.
These fascinating historical photos show cities, towns, street scenes, farmers and everyday life of Taiwanese people in the 1960s. Also check, 1970s Taiwan.
Grandad kept the buffalo pulled cart (the cart not the buffalo) well into the 90s.
Buffalo pulling cart was still a sight (though was rare enough that grandad or older relatives will beckon us city kids to come and watch) to be seen in 90s when i spend summers in seaside Chiayi. Like there was one or two buffalo in the village well into late 90s. Then they must had all died off.
Also people carrying things using the 扁擔 carrying pole. Was common in 90s. Like you would still see it being done in construction sites even in Taipei. Labourers carrying the brick or heavy stuff up that way. Some street vendor still carry their stuff. Now all but gone. But heard some old hardware store 五金行 still stock the carrying stick as a product.
My friend from pingtung says their family don’t eat beef because their ancestors used ox for their livelihood, and they treat them as family members. Although they no longer have a living ox with them, they still respect the animal and don’t eat that type of meat.
I think this was done sometimes for personal fortune reasons too , the tradition is also more common for Hokkien people. My grandad as a Hokkien did not impose this (there are families who claim they all should not eat beef etc.) Instead it was up to individual to decide. Some of my cousins do not eat beef some do.
My Hakka side of family does not practice this either. Despite originally worked as farmer and labourer (for the local land owners) before immigrating to TW in 1948. Relatives joked because as Hakka they were dirt poor and they ain’t saying no to beef if there is some.