Page 5 - MidWeek - Dec 8, 2021

Customs are an integral part of any culture. They are essential for perpetuating what makes each civilization and ancestral heritage unique. It’s interesting to note that common foods, cultural celebrations, and even wayfinding techniques are distinct yet shared among the native Hawaiians and Indigenous Taiwanese. In continuing our three-part series on the captivating connection between the Taiwanese Indigenous Peoples and the native Hawaiians, here is a snapshot of these timeless traditions and how you can experience them ... even in modern day.
As mentioned last week, it is hypothesized that the Polynesian Voyagers who first came to Hawaii came from a mysterious land called “Hawaiki,” which is thought to be Taiwan according to anthropological researches—and the Indigenous Taiwanese are no strangers to boat building or sailing, as evidenced by the Yami People.
In addition to geographic origins and ocean navigation, there are dietary- and daily-life parallels. The Indigenous Taiwanese also relied on nutritionally-dense scratches, like taro root and sweet potatoes, and protein-rich seafood. Starchy vegetables were a key component
of their diet, as they provided complex carbohydrates for the active hunter-gatherer life they lead. Some groups, such as the Truku, were, like the Hawaiians, renowned for their tattoos or their weaving and pottery skills. Houses were built of slate, bamboo, straw, wood, or mudbrick, depending on the location. The chiefs also lived in family houses with thatched roofs, much like the Hawaiians.
Song and dance were social, or religiously- oriented, occasionally in the form of prayers for the harvest. No matter the craft, artistry and celebration were, and still are, part of daily life. The biggest of these cultural celebrations is the Harvest Festival, a Thanksgiving festival held after the millet (now rice) harvest. While the Amis People is best known for this large multicultural festivity, other groups had their own version, some referring to it as the “moon light festival.” While “harvest” is an integral part of the title, this colorful celebration really showcases their cultural affinity for socializing among all parts of society: economic, political, and social. Starting in July every year, people migrate to the cities to participate in the Harvest Festival, for one to seven days, depending on the length of the rice harvest.
The showmanship of the Harvest Festival and the other colorful traditions of Taiwan’s 16 recognized groups are why visitors are flocking here to experience what is coined “Tribal Tourism.” In fact, the Taiwan government is showcasing these cultural experiences to preserve the warm, welcoming heritage
that visitors to Taiwan have grown to love. Discovering and understanding to appreciate indigenous culture is all about experiencing this cultural pride embedded so deeply into the fabric of Taiwan. This is why Taiwan is working to provide visitors and locals alike with cultivated, culturally rich experiences. This strong desire to preserve nature and promote culture is certainly something the state of Hawaii knows well.
Harvest Festival of the Paiwan People
December 8, 2021
MIDWEEK 5
Taiwan & Hawai‘i
The ties between Taiwanese indigenous culture and Hawaii’s cultural past
PART TWO OF THREE
Did you know that Indigenous Taiwanese has its proper Thanksgiving?
paSta’ay of the Saisiyat People
Flying Fish Festival of the Yami People
To learn more about the rich culture and heritage of Taiwan’s 16 Indigenous Peoples, visit the Council of Indigenous Peoples website. Next week, we’ll zoom in on why else you may want to visit Taiwan in the very near future.