Staged by the Council of Indigenous Peoples to coincide with Aug. 1 National Indigenous Day, the eight-day event features solo and combo performances at venues around Taiwan. A total of 14 local and foreign troupes from seven countries such as Burundi, Canada and Guam are expected to take part.
“The festival will bolster the global profile of Taiwan’s aboriginal dancers and further improve their artistic skills through interactions with their counterparts from abroad,” a CIP official said.
“It will also be a first-class opportunity for indigenous performers from overseas to appreciate the beauty of Taiwan’s aboriginal music and dance.”
Seven local troupes, including Formosa Indigenous Dance Foundation of Culture and Arts and Paw-Paw Drum Team, will perform with seven foreign groups such as Tumu Henua from Chile and Manahau from Tahiti during the event.
The festival also includes an attempt to set a mark recognized by Guinness World Records for the largest number of performers staging a traditional Amis malikuda dance. Involving more than 1,000 dancers during the opening event, the attempt will heighten international awareness of Taiwan’s 16 recognized tribes, according to the official.
After showcasing their talents in Taoyuan, the 14 groups will go on to perform in Taichung, Taitung and Hualien. (DF-JSM)
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