Bunun (布農) indigenous people inhabitat villages on the Eastern cost of Taiwan in Hualien County.
"布農不洗不睡"
"if you come to a Bunun village, close your eyes and only listen, but listen carefully..."
Bunun live on higher altitude than any other tribe in Taiwan between 100 and 200 meter above sea level. They are famous for hunting skills. In old times you could see animal jawbones under the eaves and human skulls in front of village chief's house. These were proofs of great hunting skills and bravery.
Village's chief were in charge till his old years and eventually a new one would be chosen accordingly to his hunting abilities and experience. A chief was in charge of warfare and political affairs.
Bunun are believed to get into fights over hunting territories quite often. These battles were a chance to show tribe's bravery and skills.
Bunun used to build working hats far away from their home stay village to save time while hunting...
Both men and women used to tattoo their bodies and pull out their front teeth or incisors but this habit has long been forgotten.
They are believed to count time by knotting to mark each day.
There are six groups among Bunun tribe:
Taketodo, Takebaka, Takevatan, Takbanuath, Isibukun, Takopulan.
They mainly live in the river alleys between mountain ranges.
The particular village I have visited is really small, squeezed between two mountain ranges, where everybody is relatives.Traditional hunting with rifles and dogs is still being practiced, and many dogs in the village are three-legged, as they fell into traps.
Bunun people believe that snakes are their friends and warn them against the danger in the woods, that snakes hunt in twos. Therefore once a snake is spotted it is advised to simply turn back as there's a high probability that you'd face another one soon.
Crab picking
pet piggy
Many indigenous people in Taiwan are Protestants (Thanks to Dutch arrival in XVII century. People in the northern part of island are mostly Catholics because that was Spanish influences area)
Their Churches are simple and one won't find any paintings or sculptures depicting Jesus inside....
Christmas tree
The Mass is mostly about singing... but what kind of singing! Bunun are marvellous singers. The villagers meet in different family's house to pray and chant almost every evening. There's time to share your problems or concerns.
Their religion or rather belief is visible in every aspect of daily life.
The village structure seems to reflect the old hierarchy, where everybody was working for the common good...
Zhofeng Primary Scholl children, music lesson
Here is the Bunun prayer, children say at school's canteen before every meal.
The school is really small. There are two up to six children in the class so the learning environment is very comfortable. Each classroom has a computer with the Internet connection and an interactive board, moreover e-books are also being used. A lot of effort is put to preserve the Bunun language and culture, unfortunately, it seems that the youngest generation won't be able to speak the Bunun dialect fluently. All classes are held in Chinese, however there is a separate Bunun language classs.
School's exhibition
The view from the school
The school has well maintained library and the cultural hall where you can find handicrafts and Bunun language handbooks.
Children take part in many competitions involving indigenous culture knowledge or skills e.g. painting or singing. This school's students are last year's champions in national singing competition.
Singing is the way of spending a free time
A special activity is held at school every year. Students from capital's secondary schools come to know the aboriginal culture better. This year's students came from Jian Guo Secondary Male School.
Bunun people live higher than any other tribe in Taiwan, mostly in mountainous central part of the island. Population counts approximately forty thousands.
According to their legend long long time ago there were two Suns and the temperature was unbearable. People's life was really tough. One day Bunun couple went to work on the field. They left their newly born son near by. As there were two Suns it was very very hot and so, after finishing work they noticed that their son has completely dried up. Grieving father took his bow and shot down one of the Suns, which became the Moon.
Hualien county is the main stone provider on entire island. All Indigenous ("Yuanzhumin" 原住民) use stones to build their houses.
stone roof
the old school's building， Hualien County
Bunun practice archery and have certain archery ritual called Dear-Ear Ritual. It it held after successful hunting and, literally, involves shooting to the deer ear as the most challenging practice.
Another worldwide famous ritual is called Pasibutbut- a prayer-song for abundant millet harvest. It was discovered by a Japanese ethnologist in 1952 and is recognised by United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as eight-part harmonic singing.
Sounds are meant to imitate the nature: bee buzzing, water flowing, and the wind...
Only the healthy adult males can participate. It is forbidden to practice the song before the actual performance to please the spirits, the more beautiful and harmonious the sound the more abundant the crops should be...
Above: Hunter's speech
Bunun are known among other tribes for their excellent hunting skills. This man quartered a pig quickly and skillfully.
Zhuofeng Primary School, Hualien county
hunting trap making lesson
corn drying
Traditionally Bunun people do not drink alcohol and only ferment it for special occasions.
Women dress in black but blue colour is also very significant. Men wear white garment.
Hualien, Bunun culture poster
The Gufeng village is situated near YuShan National Park and its environment is simply astonishing.
Subjective introduction of Tayal Culture and Fuxing Township, Taiwan
Atayal culture became popularised by the movies "The warriors of the rainbow- Seediq Bale" by Wei Te-sheng and John Woo, and 'Everlasting Moments' by Ling Hun Lu Cheng and Chen Wen-pin.
In this article a Pinyin transcription is being used but Wade-Giles (or Tongyong) pinyin is provided where possible. Native Taiwanese indigenous people's clans names are provided only using in Wade-Giles transcription.
復興鄉 (Fuxing xiang) is a small village located between the mountain peaks, about 40 km from 大溪(Daxi). It's mainly known for the nearby 拉拉山 (Lala mountain), 小烏來 (Xiao Wulai Sky walk) and 石門水霸 (Ximen dam). It has really a lot to offer for those who are into nature and exploring non tourist areas. Actually it is a tourist area but not very popular among foreigners due to the poor transportation system. There are some hostels and few museums: Historical and Cultural Center, Camphor Museum, also Jiaobanshan Sculpture Park. The place was once visited by Chiang Kaj Shek so one can see many family photos as well as furniture collected in Shaobanshan Villa.
Lala Shan Center exhibition
Lala Shan area
Camphor Museum, Fuxing
Dao Temple, Fuxing
Dao Tempe, Fuxing
Origin of the name Fuhsing Township.
(Data from the leaflet signed by the Township supervisor Liu Hsin-yi, 2011-4-30)
"At the end of Qing dynasty, Liu Ming-chuan, governor of Taiwan established a development center at Dakekan (currently known as Daxi) in order to manage the indigenous people's affairs, and set the township as the target for development. During the Japanese ruling era, this region belonged to Daxi county, Shinchiku prefecture. After the restoration, it was changed to Jiaoban Township, Daxi region, Hsinchu County, and renamed as Fuxing Township at the end of October in 1954. It is the sole mountain township in Taoyuan county, with an area taking up to 1/3 of the entire county."
Historical and Cultural Center was established in 2003. Fuxing is the only indigenous people township in Taoyuan county. First floor exhibitions: Township Historical and Cultural Exhibition, Atayal Cultural Relict's Exhibition ( objects of dining clothing, housing and transportation), Village Historical and Cultural Data Exhibition. Second floor: conference room, dance studio.
Atayal
This area is inhabited by the Tayal tribe also know as Atayal, 泰雅 (Taiya), one of the largest indigenous population in Taiwan.
Atayal has 2 subgroups: Tayal and Seedeq ( Wushe incident commemorated in "Seediq bale- warriors of the rainbow" movie, 2011). In this article I use Tayal and Atayal name interchangeably since I was only able to explore the Tayal branch.
Kueihuei village
A leaflet introducing 'Seediq bale' movie n Atayal language
Tayal tribe originaly lived in Renai Township in Nantou County a thousand years ago but due to growing population they decided to move North to Taoyuan, Hsinchu and Yilan. Atayal tribe in Fuxing is called Mstbtunx (northern part of Shihmen Reservoir) and Gogan ( southern part).
Each tribe has it's own characteristic feature and Tayal is meant to be brave, and they are famous for their facial tattoos. Only great warriors and skilled girls could get a tattoo. This custom, however; was forbidden during Japanese occupation and now this tradition seems to be abandoned. The language is still spoken, though. Atayal don't have their own character system. The culture traditions and legends used to be passed by oral teaching. Nowadays the Latin alphabet is in use, however most Indigenous tribes are not fluent in reading it so Zhuyin transcription is used instead.
Tayal is famous for it's weaving skills at least 300 years old. There are a lot of different patterns and fabric categories, used according to occasions. Also, it is believed that different weaving patterns have been used for messaging. There are two types of special occasions Atayal clothing: shell bead garment and bell garment. These can be worn only by people of special position, origin or skills. Women decorates themselves with earrings and neck ornaments. The favorite color is red representing blood and power.
Tayal hunter, Tayal Culture Center, Xikoutai
Badasun 文面 is a facial tattoo forehead and checks for women and forehead and chin for warriors. Only people with badasun will be able to pass the Rainbow Bridge after death and meet with their ancestors.
Gaga = taboos and rules to be obeyed, set by the ancestors, Ancestral Spirit Worship ceremony. It's a type of patrilineal-based social unit. Members of the same gaga share in ceremonial, hunting and farming functions.
Tayal tribe mainly harvest millet, taros, sweet potatoes. They have feasts of sacrifice three times a year: sow seeds feast (samiyatu), harvest feast (ysdsomh) and ancestry spirits feast ( uvong). Main activities: weaving, farming, hunting, fishing, making rattan plaits, carvings and harmonica.
Bamboo is widely used to build houses, also as a water and food container. It's not a native species and was artificially introduced to Taiwan. Houses are covered with cogongrass.
photos taken in Atayal Cultural Relict's Exhibition
Tools
削節刀 Soqu' a tool for removing bamboo joints while building a house. First bamboo need to be split into two.
Tayal Culture Center, Xikoutai
背網袋 Tokan- used to transport a wild hog
拌飯吃 Quebuw, 湯匙 Taku- spoons used while preparing rice.
Historical and Cultural Center, Fuxing
溪口台 (Xikoutai)
It's a little village on the southern bank of the dam, with a newly built Tayal Culture Center.
Xikoutai village Tayal customs.
There was no irrigation system until Japanese occupation. During that time not only the irrigation but also education system was introduced. Learning Japanese language was compulsory. Many elderly people can speak Japanese fluently, and oftentimes they can also speak Taiwanese ( Hokkien) and their mother tongue ("muyu" 母语).
There was no idea of seasons. Atayal used to know when to harvest and when to hunt by observing the baiyin flower.
Until now many Atayal don't know how to swim. There are many monuments commemorating those who got drowned in this area.
Monument commemorating those who got drowned, Northern bank of Shimen dam
Atayal used to make mochi (Hokkien, Taiwanese 麻糬) - a sweet sticky rice snack, eaten with crushed peanuts and sugar. One could hear the process from afar knowing that some celebration is being held.
Atayal men hunt for the whole village. They believe that you have to share with others, otherwise you will never be able to hunt anything again. They hunt only after harvesting on a certain territory e.g. one mountain. You can chase your prey and hunt it on the other's village territory but you have to explain yourself and share.
Tayal bamboo instruments
The game of catching the chickens.
Wooden toys making process
Educational path, Tayal Culture Center
Preparing mochi
Tools used to prepare mochi
Alcohol drinking custom
Making crewel garlands
A food container made of bamboo
Tayal Cultural Center, Xikoutai
Tayal dance
How to get there
Take the bus NR 9130 from Taipei to Daxi ( it takes approximately 2 hours) than take a bus going to Kaoyao (only twice a day: 10:10 and 16:25) from the same bus station. The bus to Xikoutai goes up and down more that five mountain peaks. .
Local teacher, living near by the Lala Mountain, introducing Tayal culture and Lala Shan's area wildlife species.
Yisheng village 義盛村
Xiaowulai waterfall (小烏來瀑布), Fengdong (風動) rock (5 meters height), Heweishan (賀威山) ancient tree
Xiaowulai waterfall
Luofu village 羅浮村
Lexinwadan memorial park, Weaving Center/Hall (built in 2005), Luofu dual bridges (also known as double bridge)
Clans: Luofu, Holiu, Duanhui, Kaobo and Tawan
Luofu double bridge
Kuihui village 奎輝村 (Kueihuei)
The name (literally means horn) suggests that the place is full of wild animals.
Present clan: Kueihuei
Gaoyi village 高義村
Ronghua (榮華) dam/weir (for holding sand and power generation), riverbank cliffs.
Clans: Sewunau, Inner Kueihuei, Kayilan, Biyawai, Gauyilan and Suo.
Sanguang 三光村
Hot springs, Yesheng terrace field (爺亨梯田 - originally a slope which was changed into terrace by Atayal tribe), Yuling waterfall, Lidung Mountain Fort
Hualing village 華陵村
Separated from the Sanguang in 1973. Lalashan and Galahe ancient trees/Galaho ancient tree group (嘎拉賀), Boomtown hot springs(新興溫泉).
Clans: Kuanghwa (Hagawan) and Balung.
Festivals:
February- Cherry blossom festival
April- Makino bamboo harvest
June- Green bamboo shoot
November- Kwei bamboo shoot and flower festival
December- Atayal's Murho festival
Zeren village
Fuxing Township is famous for its fruit and it should be, because I wasn't able to find the same taste anywhere else in Taiwan.
Bibliography:
This article is based on my personal experience as well as:
The guide book of Fuxing Township, 2008
Reserve Fuhsing, 2011
Taiwan's Aboriginal Peoples, Wang Wei-chang, 2002
