The Truku warriors entered the stage with backward and forward striding steps, imitating the bouncing motion of the Reeves’ muntjac, continuously circling around the women. The men were showing off their strong physiques in the hopes that the women would agree to the bride kidnapping ceremony.
Why do the Truku people have the custom of bride kidnapping? It is because in the early days, the tribes in the mountains were sparsely populated. In the process, a woman’s willingness to stay is determined by whether or not she accepts the man's food offer. If she doesn't, the man must send her home after three days.
This wonderfully illustrating and amusing song and dance performance allows the public to learn about the origins of traditional Truku culture and customs, and experience first hand the powerful energy of indigenous people’s music and dance.
The Taroko National Park Headquarters has been organizing tribal concerts and cultural experiences for 16 years. This year, the concerts will be held on March 6, June 5, September 4, and December 4, at the outdoor plaza of the Taroko National Park Visitor Center. The program will include traditional Truku songs, dances, and musical instruments, such as the xylophone (tatuk) and Jew’s harp, as well as performances of compositions by Truku singers written in the Truku language.
The Taroko National Park Headquarters invited members of the Tongli community to organize cultural experiences, such as traditional costumes, basket carrying, rice pounding, and traditional food. These activities will allow visitors to experience the essence of traditional Truku lifestyle.
The Yushan National Park Headquarters has set up a Bunun Cultural Artifacts Exhibition Hall, which introduces the cultural characteristics of the Bunun people, including their migration, food, clothing, housing, transportation, and recreation. During the Spring Festival period, there is also the annual performance of “Listening to the Child of the Mountain and Forest - Voices of Bunun.”
In the performance, a complete story is woven by scenarios including hunting, medical treatment by a shaman, gun sacrifice, long-distance carrying of hunted animals, and an eight-part harmony, while visitors can also experience being a part of the Masuhuaz Tribal Community on stage.
The Shei-Pa National Park Headquarters is located in the Mapihaw Tribal Community at the foot of the Xuejian Recreational Area. Under the leadership of the tribal chief, the community welcomes travelers coming from far away to experience the daily life of an Atayal mountain tribe.
The 2021 “One Night in the Tribe” three-generation family event will be held on August 7 to 8, officially starting with the blessing ceremony when entering the tribal community. There will be a number of DIY activities for everyone, including making a ceremonial Makino bamboo cup with a knife and grilling flavorful marinated meat.
At night, a camp fire will be lit and the PATAS Cultural Arts and Dance Troupe, formed by young children from neighboring tribal communities, will perform a welcome dance, sing songs of celebration, and chant ancient Atayal tunes, to ensure that this night is a heartwarming and joyful experience for everyone.
Over the years, the Headquarters of the National Parks have been working with the local tribal communities to inject new energy into the sustainable development of the communities and to establish a channel to pass on their culture and heritage. We hope that the people of Taiwan will be respectful, open-minded, and appreciate the wisdom of indigenous people regarding natural resources. We also hope that Taiwanese people can enjoy the cultural treasures they have accumulated and refined.