Tongku Saveq is the transliteration of the name of the highest mountain of Taiwan, the main peak of Jade Mt., in Bunun. “Tongku” means peaks and “saveq” an archaic word, means accumulation or covering, especially referring to the snow-covered phenomenon of Tongku Saveq. Besides, in the context of Bunun flood myth, some say that Saveq means shelter or escape, therefore Tongku Saveq might mean a peak for escape or a place of shelter. There are many versions of flood myth. Generally speaking, the story has it that there was a giant snake (or eel) whose body blocked the flow of river and caused unprecedented flood. At that time, people fled from one mountain to another while the water flooded over everywhere they went and finally, the whole world was submerged under water. The only exception was the highest peak in the world—Tongku Saveq—which stood above water surface where escaped humans and animals fortunately survived. Later on, there were legends of some brave toads and black bulbuls who found tinder for humans and of a gigantic crab that dived underwater and cut the snake in half to release the flood. Another version of story says that before the flood, Taiwan was a big flat plain which had no mountains at all. Not until the flood came which took away large amount of sand and stones did the terrain of Taiwan with its the mountains and valleys come into shape. Sometimes I think this can be regarded as the Bunun mythological version of the mountain building of Taiwan.
Tongku Saveq
Asia Pacific Observatory
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