There’s a taboo in indigenous hunting — you can’t decide beforehand what to hunt and how much to take. Resources are a gift from nature; there isn’t an endless supply for us humans to use.
Oceans and rivers provide a rich source of food and nutrients. We have a saying, “the ocean is our refrigerator.” But hold on a minute. When I go to the water, down to the fridge to get some food, why do I find flyers, garbage, and so many tourists? I haven’t thought about what food I will take, but this isn’t the ocean I used to know.
Note: “sinbilan: tmllyung,” means “passing the baton: river work passed down by our elders” in Atayal language.
Reading
Struggling Between Outside Forces and Tradition
Diverse and Rich Marine Knowledge System
The Very Model of an Atayal Hunter
Chang Jen-Chieh
Striking a Balance between Ecology, Environment, and Industry
A Glimpse at History through Objects
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