The Harmonic Beauty of Aboriginal Cultures           Taiwan's indigenous peoples are considered to be Austronesian in origin and are roughly classified into two categories-the plain-dwelling tribes, or Pingpu people, and the mountain-dwelling tribes-depending on their degree of assimilation with Han Chinese. The ten plain-dwelling tribes, which lived on Taiwan's western plains and have already been assimilated with the Han Chinese, have a population just over 100,000. The nine mountain-dwelling tribes, on the other hand, have managed to maintain their own cultural identities, languages, and traditions, and have a population close to 300,000. Examining the indigenous peoples' reliance on and respect for nature, one can see a perfect example of how mankind can maintain a balanced relationship with nature, a concept that is now being heavily promoted internationally under the banner of environmental conservation. With regard to preserving and developing the culture of Taiwan's indigenous peoples, the ROC government not only places great emphasis on doing so in order to protect pluralism, but also to realize oceanic culture's openness towards freedom and democracy. Orchid Island Orchid Island, located 91 miles southeast of Taiwan proper, is a volcanic island surrounded by emergent coral reefs. It is a windy island beset by winter monsoons and summer typhoons. Thus, its coastline has many formations created via sea erosion. Orchid Island ( 1 ) Orchid Island, formerly known as Red Head Island, is located off the southeastern coast of Taiwan in the Pacific Ocean and serves as home for some 3,000 Yami, Taiwan's smallest group of indigenous peoples. The Yami have preserved their traditional culture and lifestyle very well, with many ancient rituals-such as the depicted boat launching ceremony for newly completed boats taking place at Orchid Island's Lang Islet-still celebrated today. Annual harvest celebrations Singing and dancing are not only a favored recreational activity of the Ami people, but also an essential element of all of their rituals, especially during the annual harvest celebrations. Taiwan's indigenous tribes The Ami people are one of Taiwan's indigenous tribes living in Takangkou, Taitung. Every year, the Ami will don brightly colored traditional costumes and perform indigenous dances to celebrate rich harvests, welcome guests, and entertain themselves. Yami village scene The Yami are Taiwan's only indigenous people who live off the sea, and thus their special lifestyle, customs, architecture, and ritual costumes are all precious cultural relics. Depicted is a typical Yami village scene. Atayal people For generations, the Atayal people have adhered to a simple heritage: respect the laws of nature and live in harmony with nature. Music and dance are an integral part of this heritage, and thus singing and dancing are vital to all Atayal rituals, including annual ancestral worship, cultivation rites, seed-sowing ceremonies, harvesting customs, and hunting rituals. Facial Tattooist For thousands of years, the Atayal people living in the central and northern parts of Taiwan have revered the lofty Mt. Tapachien as their sacred mountain and the ever-flowing Matala River as their sacred water. Among the older generation, facial tattooing is only permitted for men who have successfully hunted the head of an enemy and for women who can spin cloth and manage a household. Archery Contests Hunting once played an extremely important role in the early stages of development for all of Taiwan's indigenous peoples, and most young men were skilled with the use of both bow and arrows and knives. Today, archery contests are often held to give indigenous peoples a chance to practice and master this ancient art. The Bunun people The Bunun people who once populated the Central Range are known for their love of the mountains and strong migratory habits. Their population in Taiwan is currently around 40,000. The Bunun people (2) Most of the Paiwan people live in Taiwan's southern mountains in the area north of Mt. Tawu extending to the borders of the tribal Rukai villages, especially in Pingtung County's Laiyi Rural Township. Depicted is a Paiwan man wearing a traditional hair ornament.       Home | About Taiwan | Biological Diversity | Natural & Ecological | Aboriginal Cultures | Feedback This site was last updated 04/03/04