Taiwan Indigenous News
Tuesday, 25 October 2005
Female head of the national park system seeks to improve parks
... She said she could sense the wisdom of the mountain forests as passed down throughout the ages by Taiwan's indigenous peoples. The ...
Hsieh reveals moves to help indigenous students
... crystal display television to the students at an elementary school in Taitung County and announced more measures to help Taiwan's indigenous children secure ...
Tribe wants official recognition
... "Taiwan's indigenous tribes are all unique minorities in this country, but we are all the original residents of the island. Every ...
Legend has it that back in the mists of time, when there were only plants and animals on this earth and humans had not yet appeared on the scene, nature was at peace and brimming with beauty. Wild grasses were swaying gently in the wind, strange and wonderful flowers were growing everywhere, and the sun was shining upon all creatures.
One day, a golden calabash flower suddenly appeared in the skies. Ever so slowly, it floated down from above and landed on the plains. Then, a little insect crawled out of the blossom, and as it grew at a leisurely pace, it turned into a tall and strong boy.
All the trees and bushes, the flowers and the grasses shouted in surprise, “Bunun, bunun!” All the wild beasts and birds took up their call, “Bunun, bunun!” as they dashed across the lands and soared the skies to bring news of the event to every corner of the world.
The boy romped about the mountains, picking wild fruit and berries to calm his hunger, and making friends with all the beasts and insects.
When night fell and all the animals went to sleep, the boy counted the stars in the sky. He suddenly felt terribly lonely, and to pass the time until daybreak, he plucked leaves from the trees and made them into a garland. Then one day, taking the garland with him, he decided to climb to the top of the mountain and talk to the sun.
As soon as the sun came out, the boy raised both his arms to it and said, “Sun, I am very grateful that you’ve brought me to Mount Jade, but even though the world is very beautiful, I still feel very lonely. Please give me a playmate that is sweet and gentle!” In reply, a clay pot fell from the sky, and a voice said, “Cover this pot with food and heat it, and you will be helped.” After returning to the forest, the boy chopped firewood every day and baked the earthen pot until it was nice and hot. In the night, the brightly burning pot reflected the beauty of the surrounding mountain scenery. It was a glorious sight! A day came when the earthen pot suddenly cracked and burst open—and next the boy saw a beautiful girl walk out of the pot. She said to him, “Here I am, let us cultivate this wonderful mountain land together!” At this, the trees and plants, and all the insects and fishes and birds and beasts of the forest rejoiced and celebrated, breaking into another chorus of “Bunun, bunun!” The boy and the girl had many children together, and their offspring were called the Bunun.