Rutgers TASA

Rutgers TASA

Share

Welcome to Rutgers Taiwanese American Student Association! Come check us out! TASA is a student cultural organization at Rutgers University.

As a cultural organization here at Rutgers University, we strive to build awareness and embrace Taiwan's culture, food, and language to the Rutgers community. We work to promote and build awareness of Taiwan's culture, food, and language to the Rutgers community. It is a great way to meet people who have similar interests in Taiwanese culture! We welcome members of all cultures. Those interested i

04/07/2026

life ain’t that deep just come to nightmarket.

04/05/2026

Gatcha really gets us jumping! 🏃‍♂️
🤑We just can’t stop winning amazing games and plushies🧸
👾Check out Gatcha at Menlo Park Mall for the best arcade experience and vibes 🏗️

Photos from Rutgers TASA's post 03/29/2026

A soft pastel sky fades into evening 🌸✨ as the world settles into a cozy glow. The air feels calmer, the colors feel sweeter, and the night begins to sparkle with a warm, whimsical charm 🎀🌙

Lanterns flicker to life across a field of white tents🏕️, and the atmosphere fills with music, laughter, and the aroma of Taiwanese street food 🧋🥟
It feels like stepping into a little world of its own…

Rutgers TASA x Nu Alpha Phi proudly presents our 🌟23rd Annual TASA Nightmarket🌟

🍓🎡ᕼEᒪᒪO TᗩIᗯᗩᑎ 🎡🍓

For one magical night, experience a Taiwan nightmarket with a playful, cozy twist 🎀✨

🎯 Play through a variety of fun games and activities
🪙 Collect tokens as you explore and use them to exchange for food, snacks, and drinks or even get a chance to win amazing prizes 🎁✨
🍜 Enjoy authentic Taiwanese eats from and
🥐 Grab pastries and buns from and
🧋 And don’t forget boba from .usa
🎤 Take a break and enjoy performances from talented Rutgers groups lighting up the stage all night long 🪩✨

🏆🎉Stay tuned for token information, prizes, giveaways and more!🪅🎈

OPENS: Friday, April 10th @ 6:00 PM
LOCATION: Livingston Lawn, Next to LSC (100 Joyce Kilmer Ave, Piscataway, NJ)

We can’t wait to welcome you into a night full of lights, games, and cozy memories 💖🌙

03/16/2026

Thank you to and for taking a trip 🚗 to Rutgers! We had a great time and we hope you all did too!! Until next time 🫶🫶

Photos from Rutgers TASA's post 04/20/2023

Travel With TASA ✈️
s_22: Hello Everyone! I’m Justin, and today I want you all to learn more about a tribe I’m presenting - the people of Hla'alua! Also called the Saaroan people, this tribe was recognized by the Taiwanese government back in 2014. They live in Gaozhong Village, Taoyuan Village in Taoyuan District, and Maya Village in Namaxia District, Kaohsiung City.

With fewer than 10 native speakers and an ethnic population of 400 people, the Hla'alua Language is considered to be critically endangered. Even among native speakers of the language, Mandarin or Bunun is the primary language spoken in daily life.

The Hla’alua people are good at hunting and tanning and have developed leather crafts and leather products, with leather clothes and leather headgear as standard men’s clothing. Traditional men’s clothing includes shirts, headgear, and trousers made of goat or muntjac leather, while women braid their hair with traditional headscarves and wear the cock’s feather as headwear.
Farming is an important economic activity of the Hla’alua people. The Miatungusu (Holy Shell Ritual) is a major ritual held every two or three years after crop harvest (rice and millet). Worshiping the Takiarʉ (Shell, Shell God) is part of the ritual. It is said that it is a unique ritual of the Vilanganʉ Community. After Japanese colonization, only one takiarʉ was held in 1951. Although the ritual was restored in 1993, it has been changed. The ritual master must come from a family with ritual-hosting history. The ritual is hosted by the Chief himself or his family member.

Photos from Rutgers TASA's post 03/29/2023

Travel With TASA ✈️
geronimo: Hey guys! It's Reuben and today I’ll be talking about the Tao Tribe! Also known as the Yami tribe, this indigenous group lives off the southeast coast of Taiwan, on the beautiful Orchid Island. This tribe is the most unique since their native language is not similar to any of the tribes on the island. Their language is a member of the Batanic languages, a group of languages spoken in locations south of Taiwan, such as the Ivatan of the Philippines. Fun fact: the word “tao” also means “people” in Tagalog, the main language of the Philippines. With these similarities, it was believed that the Tao tribe originated in the Batanes Archipelago and migrated to Orchid Island. However, a recent genetic study showed that they are actually genetically similar to the indigenous people of Taiwan. This suggests that though they did not originate elsewhere, there are clear signs of intermingling between the Tao tribe and the Batanes islands.

The Tao tribe is also the only indigenous group that has a heavy maritime culture. Their year is divided into three fishing seasons revolving around the flying fish. The rayon from February to May is when men catch the fish for ceremonies; teyteyka from June to October which marks the end of when flying fish is caught on the surface; and amyan from November to January, the period where they wait for the fish to return. Another crucial part of Tao culture is the construction of their fishing boats. They are covered in carved patterns and painted in traditional red, white and black paint. When the boat is completed, the owner hosts a large launching ceremony filled with many rituals, ending the event once it is deemed that the boat can stay afloat.

The reason why the Tao are so different from any other Taiwanese tribe is because of the history of Orchid Island. During Japan’s rule over Taiwan from 1895 to 1945, they kept the island off-limits to outsiders. This isolation kept the Tao tribe away from modernization and preserved the tribe’s culture.

03/26/2023

Remember Café with RAPS and CSO last year? Guess what? WE’RE RUNNING IT BACK 😤

For those who don’t know, we are hosting an EXCITING and FUN-FILLED event with talented performances! There will be YUMMY snacks 🥠 and FLAVORFUL drinks 🍹 at Café TASA x RAPS x CSO! Plus, a SUPER COOL photo booth for you and your friends! 📸💃 We know you’ve been studying hard for exams, so destress with us as we share yummy pastries, snacks, and sip on delightful refreshments. Psst… there will also be a special surprise from our E-boards that will leave your jaws dropped to the floor 😳😉

‼️ MAKE SURE YOU RSVP FOR THIS EVENT ON THE EVENT PAGE (LINK ALSO IN OUR BIO) CAP IS AT 250 ‼️

Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cafe-tasa-x-raps-x-cso-tickets-596161624467

‼️ PLEASE MAKE SURE TO HAVE YOUR EVENTBRITE QR CODE READY WHEN YOU ARE IN LINE FOR THE EVENT ‼️

👔 Dress Code: SEMI-FORMAL

WHERE: Busch Multipurpose Room (Busch MPR)
WHEN: Thursday (3/30) @ 9:00PM

Thank you to ASC for sponsoring this event! 🫶

Photos from Rutgers TASA's post 03/25/2023

THAT EVENT WAS AMAZING!! 😤👍 Thank you to everyone who attended our High-Speed Railroad event and learned more about Taiwan and its beauty! 🚄💨 If you want to check out more photos from the event, click on the link in our bio! 😉

Big shoutouts to our cultural chairs and for spearheading this event, you guys absolutely killed it and we’re so thankful for your hard work! 🤩🎉

Hope you all had a good time! See you guys soon! 🐶

Photos from Rutgers TASA's post 03/24/2023

Travel With TASA ✈️

: Hiii, it’s Mia 🙂 I’m here to introduce you guys to one of the Taiwanese indigenous tribes, Paiwan. The Paiwan people are separated into two subgroups, Ravar and Vuculj, which have different lineages, customs, and ethnicities. The tribe speaks the Paiwan language and is located around the southern chain of the Central Mountain Range across Pingtung and Taitung. Today, the Paiwan tribe has a population of about 102,730 people, making them the second most populous tribe in Taiwan.

The clothing of the Paiwan people often symbolizes their social status. Special patterns like faces, figures, and hundred pace snakes are worn by the chief or nobles to signify their superiority. Commoners with honorable achievements are given the privilege to tattoo their bodies or hands.

Incorporating culture and legend, the art of Paiwan is very distinctive. Pottery, glass beads, and bronze knives are called the “Three Paiwan Treasures,” and they symbolize different things in the Paiwan culture. According to Paiwan folklore, Paiwan ancestors were born from pottery pots, making it a symbol of the origin. Based on the patterns on these pots, they can be male, female, or male-female. Glass beads symbolize gifts from the gods because, according to the legend, Paiwan ancestors made glass beads with the beautiful eyes of dragonflies. Lastly, the bronze knife is a symbol of authority and power.

Two of the Paiwan tribe’s most unique ceremonies are Masalut and Maleveq. The Masalut is an annual ceremony that celebrates the harvest of rice and millet. Maleveq, on the other hand, is celebrated by the Vuculj subgroup every five years to commemorate their ancestors or gods.

Photos from Rutgers TASA's post 03/08/2023

Travel with TASA ✈️

: Hi guys 🙂 It's Chris here to talk to you guys about the amazing Atayal tribe. The Atayal people are one of the indigenous groups of Taiwan, primarily located in the mountainous regions of central and eastern Taiwan. They have lived in this area for thousands of years and are believed to have originated from the mainland of Southeast Asia. The Atayal population is estimated to be around 85,000, making up around 2.5% of the total population of Taiwan.
They have a unique form of governance, called the "Shanlinshi" system, which is based on the principle of consensus. Under this system, village leaders consult with all members of the community to make decisions that affect the entire village.

There is also a very strong tradition of oral storytelling. Many of their myths and legends are passed down through generations by word of mouth.

The Atayal people were skilled hunters and fishermen. They used traps, snares, and bows and arrows to catch game, and fishing nets and spears to catch fish. Today, many Atayal people still hunt and fish, and partake in the cultivation of millet, rice, and taro.

Animism is also very prevalent, where natural objects and phenomena are considered to have spiritual significance, and they also have a strong musical tradition, with many traditional songs and dances that are still performed today.

Today, the Atayal people continue to play an important role in shaping the cultural identity of Taiwan!!!!

Photos from Rutgers TASA's post 03/08/2023

That event was nuts! 😱 You all went off on the each of the games, and we let y’all cook! 🧑🏻‍🍳👩🏻‍🍳 Thank you guys so much for coming to our Sports Showdown event with ! 😋💜 Catch more of your moments in the action in the link in our bio! 📸⬆️

Shoutout to everyone who put their all in each game, and special shout-out to for making the event as successful as it was! 😸

Be on the lookout for more updates from us for more fun-filled nights with us! 👀

Want your university to be the top-listed University in Edison?
Click here to claim your Sponsored Listing.

Website

Address

55 Parsonage Rd
Edison, NJ
08837