Although illness-related deaths hvave decreased due to longevity, medical technology and chronic illnesses, the resulting functional and cognitive impairments require long-term care. About 70% of caregivers of home-bound disabled patients are female. The purpose of this research was to explore the culturally specific female caregivers' experiences. The concept of culturally constructed womanhood is essential to guide the study. Ethnography was used, while ethnographic interviews and non-participant observation were employed to collect data. Theoretical sampling was applied for sample selection. As a result, 11 female caregivers were interviewed from December 1995 to April 1996. Their ages ranged from 39 to 76 years. Each caregiver was interviewed 1-2 times and each interview lasted for 1 to 2 hours. The constant comparative method and ethnographic analysis generated five cultural themes: (1) Passive rewards, (2) Women's selfhood, (3) Fate, (4) Solitary journey, (5) Strategies of sustaining. The findings facilitate the development of culturally sensitive nursing interventions in working with Taiwanese female caregivers. This study further contributes to cross-cultural nursing clinical practice.