In Tsou language, fona refers to the hyacinth bean, which comes from a perennial plant that grows well on barren soil and adverse conditions.

BBC: Tribal culture survives in Taiwan

Each October, the Tsou celebrate the Life Bean or Fona Festival.

BBC: Tribal culture survives in Taiwan

The Fona Festival consists of a modified Tsou marriage, representing efforts to continue the tribe, a rather important task as the populations of many tribes number only a few thousand people.

BBC: Tribal culture survives in Taiwan