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 ...
Because they had made enemies of the legendary Ta’ai, or Dwarf People, in their past, the Saisiat regularly hold the Pasta’ai, or Dwarf Spirit Ceremony, to appease their spirits. Two ritual objects are of central importance to this ceremony:
The Kirakil (“Dance Hat” or “Moon Flag”): These are made by each of the different clans in preparation for their respective clan ceremonies. The hats are decorated with embroidery and representations of the clan’s name. During the ceremony, the men of the different clans are either at the front or by the sides of the dance formation. The kirakils of the southern Saisiat are flat and triangular, while those of the northern Saisiat are of a semi-arched shape. They are mounted on a single shoulder, and are made to sway back and forth by the rhythmic movements of the dancers.
Tabaa’sang (“Buttock Bells”): Every family has a tabaa’sang. There are no prescriptions for the shape of the “buttock bells”, but the main part is mostly either triangular or semi-oval. Stringed beads, small bamboo or steel tubes, cowbells or similar items are sewn on in a way that allows them to dangle freely. As the name indicates, the tabaa’sang is worn over the buttocks, so when the dancer moves to the beat of the ceremonial music, the bells and tubes produce a distinctive jingling and tinkling sound as they clang together.
At the beginning of the ceremony, the Saisiat assemble in the worship house, and when the moon is about to rise, the head of the ceremony begins to chant. This is the sign for the tribespeople to take each other by the hand and get ready to dance. Slowly, they begin to move towards the middle of the room, always putting the right foot first. The dance formation changes in response to the music: sometimes the dancers rush towards the middle of the room in a whirl-like formation, then again they return quickly to the original semi-circular configuration.