Maolin National Scenic Area ::: Hot Tourist Route

In Taiwan, one must recognize the earliest inhabitants of the island, the aborigines.

Our aboriginal friends tell us: the earliest aboriginal tribes were equal in structure to a country of modern times. Each tribe had its own tribal territory, tribal council, ceremonies, festivals and even foreign diplomats for contacting other tribes. Within a tribe, the leader was the chief, or the elder in a family. Since everything was organized similarly to a country, they believed that their tribes were nations.

To really explore aboriginal culture, tourists should chooseMaolin National Scenic Area, where there the most Taiwanese aboriginals, including:

the Siasanshe Rukai of Maolin Township,West Rukai of Wutai Township and Sandimen Township, Paiwan of Majia Township, and the Bunun and Tsou of Taoyuan Township. To truly explore the reaches of aboriginal culture, one must plan a two day trip. If a guide with in-depth knowledge of the aborigines is present, tourists will be rewarded with a more concise and rewarding trip!

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manah tainga

The Bunun are the only people who dare to explore other tribes alone. They are ferocious warriors.

They worship gods, believe in spirits (good and evil), and within their legends all animals and plants came from transformed humans. Every four years the Bunun hold a “manah tainga” festival, to train their men to hunt, inform them of various taboos and rules, and to revere their hunting heroes. Within the Bunun tribe culture serves an educational purpose. They also celebrate their harvest.

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Miyatjgu

The Tsou have a traditional festival, the “Miyatjgu”. It is said that the spirit of ancestors attach on to collected shell beads. During the ceremony the priest brings these beads out and hands them to every person in the tribe briefly, as a symbol that the spirits of ancestors will protect them. Then the elders throw the precious shell beads into the sky, for warriors to pick up, symbolizing the courage and wisdom that will be brought to the tribe by them.

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pottery, bronze knives, glass beads

The Rukai and the Paiwan are two XX that share similarities within their cultures.They both worship the sky and land, and respect nature. They don’t worship ancestors,and their societies are divided into four classes: chiefs, nobles, warriors, and civilians. The elder son inherits the position of chief.

They also have three treasures in common: pottery, bronze knives and glass beads.

Day One：

Taoyuan Township (*the Mountain Jelly Fig is a must try! Call 07-6866019 and ask for Ms. Liao Chun-hua for reservations) → Jiasian Township → Liouguei Township → Meinong Town(*try out delightful classical Hakka dishes, call 07-6820356 and ask for Chairman Liou Han-tang) → Return Home

Day Two：

Day One：

Orientation at the Maolin NSA Visitor Center→ Lovers’ Gorge → Duona Suspension Bridge →Eat an aboriginal lunch at Dragon Head Mountain → Explore the Duona Stone Slab Houses in the afternoon and learn about aboriginal stone slabculture → Duona Hot Springs → Stayovernight at Duona Village B&Bs and immerse in the culture of Duona

Day Two：

Head towards Wutai from Maolin → Yila → Shenshan → Lunch at Wutai → Majia Culture Park → Sandimen → Return Home

Tour emphasis

Houses: Cottonmouth totems in front of the house means that it is the home of a chief or noble (*attention: this is a reminder that without the consent of the owner, please do not explore the inside of the house, and for example make a comment such as: “there is a TV inside?!”)
Headdress culture and clothing of men and women: the cottonmouth stands for nobles, butterflies for agility, and the lily is the tribal flower. When men carry the lily it is a sign of a warrior; when women carry it is stands for chastity. Regulation of headdresses worn is the motive for tribesmen to pursue honor and greatness.
Swing culture: It is the privilege of the Rukai women (men are prohibited). By presenting beauty and talent through the art of the swing, women will receive the courtship of men.
Glass bead culture: In the past only nobles owned these. These beads represented identity and class. Every glass bead has its own name and myth.
Pottery culture: It is also known as matriarchal culture. When members of the noble class marry they must prepare betrothal gifts such as Yang Jars and Yin Jars
Knife carrying: A knife is the second life to a man. Ceremonial knives, work knives and hunting knives all have their meanings and cultural purpose.
Songs and dances are a combination of power and beauty: songs and dances represent the context of aboriginal life.
Myths: Most knowledge on aboriginal culture was orally passed on, so the myths are very unique.
Stone slab culture: Tourists can learn about the reason for stone slab houses, methods of differentiating between first generation and second generation houses, and telling the difference between male and female slabs.

Bunun Cultural Exhibition Center	Lafulan Village	Pulai Stream Xitoushe War Road
Head Burial Ground	Dimoer Park	Saijia Recreation Area
Yanban (Slate) Lane	Dubanan Memorial Hall	Taiwan Aborginal Culture Park
Majia Visitor Center