The 36 recipients are from the indigenous tribes of Amis, Atayal, Bunun, Kahabu, Paiwan, Pazeh, Puyuma, Rukai, Saisiyat, Sediq, Truku and Tsou. They finished atop a 99-strong field in the categories of essay, novella, poetry and translation.
Huang Yueh-li, director of the MOE Department of Lifelong Education, presented each of the winners with a cash prize and certificate of merit signed by Education Minister Wu Se-hwa. She praised the writers for promoting diversity and enriching the nation’s literary scene.
“The submissions capture some of the most alluring aspects of the indigenous landscape, and create a better understanding of the intangible heritage of such ethnic groups,” Huang said.
One highlight is the essay “Words from Elders” by Lowking Nowbucyang of the Truku. The compilation of tribal stories was told to the writer by his father, grandparents and great-gandmother, underscoring the importance of documenting oral narrations for future generations.
Also impressive is the novella “Stories of Fataan and Tafalong” by Sing Olam of the Amis. “The work employs fictional characters to depict brutal fighting between two Amis villages in central Hualien County,” Huang said.
“It takes readers on a journey through the tribe’s turbulent past during Japanese colonial rule [1895-1945] and the truce brokered in the 1980s by former ROC President Lee Teng-hui.”
Another piece striking a chord with the judges is the poem “Mourning River” by Rucu Pawan of the Atayal. It utilizes personification to lament the suffering of a river stripped of its living organisms as a result of excessive logging and irresponsible land management.
Equally praiseworthy is the translation “Cinderella” by Ljumeg Patadalj of the Paiwan. “The fairy tale is expected to raise tribal children’s interest in learning their native tongue, and inspire the public to study the dialect as well,” Huang said.
Founded in 2007, the biannual awards encourage indigenous literary creations and deepen bonds among these groups in Taiwan. (YCH-JSM)
Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mofa.gov.tw