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.
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| Lala Shan Center exhibition |
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| Lala Shan area |
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| Camphor Museum, Fuxing |
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| Dao Temple, Fuxing |
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| 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.
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| Kueihuei village |
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| photos taken in Atayal Cultural Relict's Exhibition |
削節刀 Soqu' a tool for removing bamboo joints while building a house. First bamboo need to be split into two.
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| Tayal Culture Center, Xikoutai |
拌飯吃 Quebuw, 湯匙 Taku- spoons used while preparing rice.
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| 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.
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| Monument commemorating those who got drowned, Northern bank of Shimen dam |
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.
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| Wooden toys making process |
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| Educational path, Tayal Culture Center |
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| Preparing mochi |
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| Tools used to prepare mochi |
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| Alcohol drinking custom |
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| Making crewel garlands |
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| A food container made of bamboo |
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| Tayal Cultural Center, Xikoutai
Tayal dance
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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. .
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| Local teacher, living near by the Lala Mountain, introducing Tayal culture and Lala Shan's area wildlife species. |
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Xikou terrace, view from Zeren village |
Xiayun village 霞雲村 (Siayun)
Marvellous nature: Ironwood waterfall (鐵木瀑布)
Clans: Jinnuan, Yusiayun, Kuchi, Koai, Jiachi, Chichi
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
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| Xiaowulai waterfall |
Lexinwadan memorial park, Weaving Center/Hall (built in 2005), Luofu dual bridges (also known as double bridge)
Clans: Luofu, Holiu, Duanhui, Kaobo and Tawan
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| 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
Changing village長興村 (Changsing)
Taoyuan fairy valley (逃源仙合).
Clans: Chutoujiao, Gaozau, Shinganping, Silung, Simen.
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
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| Zeren village |
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
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