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The starting point of Austronesian people: discovering Taiwan’s Indigenous culture


Taiwan is home to 16 officially recognised Indigenous tribes, each with their unique cultural heritage and traditions. With a growing interest in cultural tourism, trav- ellers are increasingly drawn to exploring


the rich and diverse


cultures of the people of Taiwan. Read on for an in-depth overview of Taiwan’s different cultures, along with suggestions for incorporating Indigenous experiences into a travel itinerary.


A brief overview of Taiwan’s Indigenous culture Te Indigenous peoples of Taiwan are believed to be the ancestors of Austronesians, who migrated to the island over 6,000 years ago. Tere


are currently 16 officially


recognised tribes. Each of these tribes has its own unique cultural heritage and traditions, which have been influenced by various factors such as geography, history and neighbouring cultures. Taiwan’s Indigenous cultures are


rich and diverse, and include unique languages, music, dance, arts and crafts, food and clothing.


Indigenous tourism in Taiwan Indigenous tourism is a growing trend in Taiwan,


and there are


various ways for travellers to experience Indigenous culture. Tese include homestays, cultural performances and guided tours. Homestays: staying with an Indig-


enous family is a great way to expe- rience daily life and traditions firsthand. Visitors can participate in activities such as weaving, cooking and farming, thereby gaining a deeper understanding of the local culture. Cultural performances: many


Indigenous tribes offer cultural performances, which showcase their traditional music, dance and clothing. Tese are a great way to experience the vibrancy and energy of the culture in question. Guided tours: there are also many guided tours available, which


provide an informative and struc- tured way to learn about Indig- enous


culture. Tese tours


include visits to traditional villages, museums and cultural centres.


Popular destinations and attractions: Some popular destinations for Indig- enous tourism in Taiwan include:


Alishan National Scenic Area Te Tsou (Cou) people settled in the elevated Alishan Mountain in central Taiwan. Important ceremo- nies include the Homeyaya (Millet Harvest Festival) to show appreci- ations to the Gods and the Mayasvi (Triumph Festival), which demon- strates war merits. According to the Tsou legend, after creating the Tsou and Maya people with the maple leaf, the Great God Hamo created the plain people with the leaf of the bishop wood. Ten, the Tsou people gradually migrated to their present location, distributing in the


upstream Zhengwen River


drainage basin and Zhuoshui River drainage basin in Alishan Mountain in Chiayi County. Alishan High Mountain Tea Expe-


rience: tea lovers can visit the tea area where there are five unique Tsou-style teahouses located around the tea gardens in Taiwan. Profes- sional tea-makers will brew a pot of fragrant and rich tea for visitors. In addition, the tea masters will also explain the related knowledge and techniques of tea brewing, and you can personally experience how to brew an authentic cup of Alishan oolong tea. Alishan Forest Railway: the


construction of the Alishan Forest Railway was


started in


1899 by the Japanese. Te railway climbs from 100ft above sea level to 7,270ft, has 47 tunnels and 72 bridges, and passes through a cross-section of climates and terrain types. Alishan National Forest Recrea-


tion Area: its forest railways, Sacred Trees, sea of clouds, magnificent


can


sunrise and cherry blossoms makes this the most famous and popular recreational forest area in Taiwan. It’s a brilliant jadeite shinning on the Alishan Mountain Range.


Sun Moon Lake National Scenic Area Te Tao tribe were the earliest inhabitants of the Sun Moon Lake area. Te origin of the name ‘Tao’ is human. According to legend, when the ancestors of the Tao people were hunting, they accidentally discovered Sun Moon Lake, which is rich in fish and prawns, while they were chasing a white deer. Tis resulted in the whole tribe moving there. Tao people have unique


music and dance characteristics, such as pounding stone sound, song and dance performances, which are popular among tour- ists. Among them, pounding stone sound, also known as pestle sound, was originally an important folk activity of Tao people in New Year’s ancestor spirit sacrifice. When the sound of stones is played in the square of the headman’s home, it’s the prelude to the traditional New Year of the Tao people, which is upgraded from life experi- ence to aesthetic music — the most distinctive cultural style of the ethnic group. Sun Moon Lake Ropeway: take a


cable car ride overlooking Sun Moon Lake and enjoy the beautiful scenery surrounded by mountains. Formosan Aboriginal Culture


Village has three theme parks: the European Palace Garden, the Aboriginal Villages and Amusement Isle. Amusement facilities in these three theme parks include rides, a cultural square, artistic fountain, museums and an Aboriginal dance show. Te Culture Village is enter- taining and educational, making it perfect for families. Ita Tao: this is the most populous


area around the Sun Moon Lake. Tere are shops, restaurants, and hotels in the village. Te Tao people


opened the ‘Tao Cultural Village’ for tourists to appreciate the tradi- tional culture, songs and dancing of the Tao tribe. Te harvest ceremony, the most important and splendid cere- mony among all the others held during the year, is held annually


during


August in the lunar calendar. If you visit Ita Tao during this month, you’ll have the chance to appreciate the culture of the Tao people.


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believe that these fish are gifts from the gods, and why they treasure this natural resource. Some of the tribe’s social customs and taboos closely


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with the coming and going of the flying fish. Te Flying Fish Festival consists of ceremonies that begin in the second or third month of the lunar calendar and run for approximately four months. Te festival is divided


Harvest Festival of the Amis tribe Te Harvest Festival


festival of the Amis tribe. Different villages


hold separate


is the largest festi-


vals during July and August. Te festival has three stages, including welcoming the spirits, feasting the spirits and sending the spirits off. In modern times, the ceremony has been shortened and the religious ceremonies simplified. Several activ- ities have been added, including a race, tug-of-war and arrow shooting competition. Te festivities, once limited to tribal participation, are now open to the general public.


Flying Fish Festival of the Yami (Tao) tribe Te lives of the Yami (Tao) people are closely intertwined with the Flying Fish Festival. Each year the flying fish come with the Kuroshio Current from January to June, and this brings a rich harvest of fish for the Yami (Tao) living on Orchid Island. Tat’s why the tribe’s people


into different parts, including the blessing of the boats, praying for a bountiful catch, summoning the fish, the first fishing night ceremony, fish storing ceremony and fishing cessation ceremony. Te men of the tribe wear loincloths, silver helmets and gold strips, and face the sea to pray for a bountiful catch. Participa- tion is restricted to men. Travelling to experience Taiwan’s


Indigenous culture is a rewarding and eye-opening experience. By understanding the rich cultural heritage of Taiwan’s Indigenous peoples, travellers can gain a deeper appreciation for the diver- sity and richness of Taiwan’s cultural landscape.


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HARVEST FESTIVAL/TTB


FLYING FISH FESTIVAL/TTB


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