Autumn Visit to Daliao’s Water Chestnut Fields

　“Let's time it—how many water chestnuts can grandmas peel in one minute?” Visiting between the start of autumn through to November, the peak season for water chestnuts, a stroll through Kaotan Community（拷潭社區）accompanied by guides from Daliao Creative Base（大寮創生基地）instantly brings you in touch with the vibrant spirit of rural life unique to this time of year.

　Huang Sih-cih（黃思慈）, chairperson of the Culture and Environment Development Association（文化環境發展協會）, shared that in the 1950s, Kaotan boasted up to 60 hectares of water chestnut fields. This total gradually declined as the economy developed. In recent years, the association has rekindled hope for this “Hometown of Water Chestnuts” through cultural tourism and local revitalization efforts.

　After visiting the water chestnut fields, visitors can join a popular water chestnut dyeing workshop. Huang explained that in the past, large quantities of discarded water chestnut shells were either thrown away or burned, impacting the environment. Five years ago, the association began promoting plant-based dyeing techniques, using extracts from water chestnut shells to color fabric. This not only adds value to local agricultural products but also engages community members in creative learning.

　Under the guidance of indigo dyeing artisan Chen Mei（陳梅）, the water chestnut shells are boiled for about three hours, releasing a subtle water chestnut fragrance and a deep black dye. After washing, dyeing, setting the color, and designing patterns on the fabric, the final design is screen-printed. Once dried, each piece becomes a unique water chestnut-dyed creation.

　In the autumn breeze, these dyed fabrics sway gently on clotheslines in the courtyard, showcasing the aesthetics of rural craftsmanship and the quiet beauty of everyday life. Take a trip to Kaotan and experience the area's seasonal charms firsthand!

秋訪大寮「菱」距離
文/Winnie

    「我們來計時看看，菱角阿嬤一分鐘可以剝幾顆菱角？」入秋後至11月正值菱角盛產季節，隨大寮創生基地的活動導覽員走進大寮拷潭社區，便能感受到這份秋日限定的農村活力。

    「文化環境發展協會」理事長黃思慈分享，1950年代的拷潭曾擁有多達60公頃的菱角田，隨時代變遷產業逐漸衰退。近年協會透過文化旅遊與地方創生，重新點燃這座「菱角之鄉」的希望。

    參訪菱角田後，接著進行人氣體驗「菱角染」工作坊。黃思慈分享，過去大量廢棄的菱角殼常被棄置或燃燒，造成環境負擔。協會五年前開始推廣草木染技術，利用菱角殼萃取原汁來染布，不僅延伸農產價值，也讓社區居民投入創作與學習。

    在藍染工藝師陳梅的帶領下，菱角殼被放入鍋中煮約三小時，釋放出淡淡的菱角香與深黑染液。布料經清洗、染色、定色與圖案設計後，再透過網版印出圖樣，晾乾後一件獨特的菱角染作品就此誕生。

    秋風中，一塊塊染上菱角色的布料在庭院曬衣繩上隨風搖曳，展現農村手作的美學與日常的恬靜。來趟拷潭吧！體驗專屬在地的季節滋味。