Zengwen (曾文; lit. “grt.grandparent culture”), the name of Taiwan’s fourth-longest river (138km; from Alishan Township in Chiayi County to the coast between Tainan's Qigu and Annan districts) and of its largest reservoir (17.14k㎡ when full), derives its name from 曾文 (Hoklo: chan-bun) Village.
This, in turn, took its name from a man with family name 曾 (Hoklo: Chan; Mdn. Zeng) and given name 文 (Hoklo: Bun; Mdn. Wen). Early in the Qing dynasty (清; 1683-1895), Mr. Chan Bun led settlers to clear land for cultivation in this area on the southern bank of the river in the northern suburbs of Shanhua Town. No trace of the village remains.
[2021 update: The river is named for one long-forgotten Zeng Wen (曾文). Abe only records him as having opened up land for cultivation here, but Wikipedia’s Chinese-language page says that he did so during the 17th-century Dutch period before going on to operate a ferry. Old Western maps call it the Soulang River, but sometimes the Zant River, which was perhaps a rendition of the Hoklo pronunciation Tsan of the surname 曾 (Mandarin: Zeng).]
Tsengwen (曾文) alternative romanisation of Zengwen.
Cengwun (曾文) alternative romanisation of Zengwen.
[Source: http://www.wcis.itri.org.tw/Upload/QUARTC/000114/31-14.pdf -- NEEDS VERIFICATION]
Text and photos © Jiyue Publications 2011, 2021
¬ Exploring Taiwan's history, culture and languages through its place names
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