Managed by the Indigenous Peoples Cultural Development Center under the cabinet-level Council of Indigenous Peoples, the park is home to various special exhibitions of indigenous artworks and artifacts. This year, it has organized shows on exciting topics like the hand tattoos of the Paiwan tribe to the creative achievements of four members of the Pavavaljung family, notably Sakuliu Pavavaljung: one of seven winners of the National Awards for Arts in 2017—Taiwan’s most prestigious accolade for related accomplishments.
TIPCP is an open-air museum where visitors can get up close and personal with traditional indigenous structures. (Staff photo/Chin Hung-hao)
The park offers indoor performances staged twice a day based on the traditional songs, dances and rituals of Taiwan’s 16 officially recognized indigenous peoples. These range from he widely known harvest ritual of the Amis in eastern Taiwan to the more mysterious paSta’ay ritual of the Saisiyat: a ceremony of reconciliation between the tribe in northern Taiwan and a group called the Ta’ay.
“Whenever producing a traditional performance, tribal elders are extensively consulted so as to ensure the heritage is presented as accurately as possible,” IPCDC Deputy Director-General Pu Chung-I. said “We’re not running the park for a quick payday; remaining true to tradition is our guiding mission.”
A special exhibition at TIPCP educates visitors about the tattooing traditions of the Paiwan tribe. (Staff photo/Chin Hung-hao)
In an effort to deliver bigger and more sophisticated performances, TCIP upped number of dancers from 31 to 45 earlier this year. At the same time, more new works are developed, with the most an innovative show about the Bunun people mainly from central Taiwan. Incorporating modern dance steps and the tribe’s custom of Pasibutbut—an eight-part polyphonic song—the new performance premieres Aug. 25 in the park.
This real-deal insistence also extends to displays like an outdoor museum and full-scale traditional indigenous houses. Visitors can see tribal structures for all the tribes except the Hla’alua and Kanakanavu from Kaohsiung City in southern Taiwan, the most recent additions to the CIP’s list of officially recognized peoples in 2014.
“By the end of the year, the architecture of these tribes will be displayed at the park, making it more representative and increasing its value as a cultural asset,” Pu said. (E) (By Oscar Chung)
Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mofa.gov.tw
TIPCP is a stronghold for preserving and showcasing Taiwan’s indigenous cultures. (Staff photo/Chin Hung-hao)
(This article is adapted from the story Lasting Legacy in the May/June 2018 issue of Taiwan Review. The Taiwan Review archives dating to 1951 are available online.)