Where to Meet a Real Indigenous Taiwan!
The latest commercial for Taiwan Design Expo in Taitung County, astonishingly beautiful! And since Taitung is the county with the highest density of indigenous population in Taiwan, there are many indigenous elements in the 30-sec clip. Could you tell what they are?
The name Matmo itself comes from an Austronesian language (the same as all the Taiwanese indigenous languages) Chamorro, the native language in Guam, and the name means “Heavy Rain”.
Interestingly, there was a record on the religion of ancient Siraya people, a Taiwanese indigenous people living in Southern Taiwan, about the heavy rain.
In the culture of Amis, unlike the modern society that practices patriarchy, the Sun has an image of……
When another summertime and too the season of Harvest Ceremony comes, and the Amis people have finished the summer harvest, it’s time for the indigenous people living in Eastern Taiwan to catch……
Paterongan (or Xinshe/新社 in Chinese) is located along the picturesque coast of southern Hualien County. Its population is mostly Amis, but also includes the largest concentration of Kavalan (or Kbalan in Kavalan language) in Taiwan. The Kavalan once inhabited the plains of Yilan County in northeastern Taiwan but were forced to leave there some 250 years ago due to clashes with Qing dynasty troops and other indigenous peoples.
The Rukai people are mainly concentrated in the southern Taiwan county of Pingtung. However, long ago, some of the Rukai headed eastward, crossing the mountains to arrive in Taitung County……
Last week, a group of elementary school students from Taitung, many of whom are indigenous children, went on an amazing flash mob in Taipei Main Station hall, applauded by many audience!
Familiar with some Taiwanese indigenous cultures? Which songs were they dancing with?
The Sea Ceremony of the Amis people of Torik in Eastern Taiwan just finished last weekend. In the Amis language, the ceremony is called Pafafoy. As fafoy means “pig”, I wouldn’t have been happy at all for my presence in the name of the ceremony — Because Pafafoy actually means “to sacrifice a pig” (lol)
During the first weekend in March, I visited Tefuye Village in Alishan Township to watch the Mayasvi (Warring Ceremony) of the Tsou people. The indigenous people is mainly distributed among eight communities in Alishan Township of Chiayi County. Although this was my fifth time to witness the ceremony, I have not yet seen it in its entirety, as it takes place over two days and nights.
The No. 11 is as busy as the feet of the pedestrians in Wall Street.
The No. 22 is as romantic as the roses held by the couples in Avenue des Champs-Élysées.
The No. 33 is as long as the time that we wait for the Leo meteor shower.
The No. 44 is as sensitive as Landon’s bluest age.
The No. 55 is as happy as the laughters during the Songkran Festival.
The No. 66 is as generous as the pavilions that we share in Cayamavana!
