Life, with Indigenous Peoples

Andoulan - Making Miniature Traditional Pinuyumayan Houses
Written by Chen I-Ju; Translated by 陳德怡 Deh I Chen; Photo credit: Andoulan and Hsieh Xiao-Ming
While modern building materials such as sheet metal and concrete are gradually replacing traditional stone slabs and bamboo in communities, 64-year-old Pinuyumayan artist Andoulan chose to spend eight years to painstakingly build a detailed mini version of a traditional family house and a Takuvakuvan. These two miniature buildings will be submitted to the Pulima Art Award and Taiwan Craft Competition this year. ...
Witchcraft that Connects Humans and Nature - A Look into Taiwanese Indigenous Shaman Culture
Written by Liang Wen-Jing; Translated by 林士棻 Shihfen Lin; Illustrated by Lin Jia-Dong
In the remote past, our ancestors lived in harmony with nature and all creatures, believing that every living thing has a soul. This belief forms the basis for the animism shared by all the indigenous peoples. Community members who are endowed with special energy are selected as shamans to communicate the words of spirits and solve problems for their fellow villagers. These shamans play a pivotal role in maintaining the order of their communities. ...