Chen Ming-wen, serving as the spokesman for the festival, invited people to join the two-week event -- to begin on Nov. 1 -- in which they will have chance to witness the Tsou's cultural essence by attending a traditional wedding ceremony.

Introducing the fona bean, Chen said the vine normally blossoms and bears bean pods every November.

While serving as one of tribe's traditional food ingredients, the fona bean is also regarded as a symbol of vitality and fertility because it can grow well on barren soil and in adverse conditions.

Thus, the plant has served as an important offering during the Tsou's traditional wedding ceremonies to help the younger generation grow up with the same strong vitality as that of the bean, Chen said.

The Fona Festival will take place on Nov. 1-16 at the Leyie Tsou tribe cultural park, which is located at the 61.5 kilometer mark on the Alishan Highway.