indigenous people

Documentary series on Austronesian origins in Taiwan premieres on National Geographic

secrets of the ocean tribes graphic
Culture 
Phillip Charlier 0 Comment , ,

A documentary series exploring the origins of the Austronesian speaking peoples starting in Taiwan, and expanding as far away as New Zealand and Easter Island, premiers on National Geographic tonight, February 18, at 9:00 pm. The three part series will explore language, shipbuilding, tattoos, architecture, and arts and crafts, and will be aired in more than 40 countries in the Asia Pacific region. The second episode will air on February 25, and the final episode on March 4. The National

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Taiwan winning war against invasive bird species thanks to aboriginal hunting skills

aboriginal hunters with African Sacred ibis
Environment 
Phillip Charlier 0 Comment ,

There should be only a handful of African sacred ibis left in Taiwan by the end of this year, according to the Forestry Bureau, thanks to the efforts of indigenous hunters who were brought in to deal with the invasive species after previous strategies had failed. In 2016, numbers of African sacred ibis were estimated at around 1,000 birds inhabiting wetlands in Changhua County and some other areas along the west coast. The population is believed to have grown from

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Origin of the Austronesians: book on one of the greatest migrations in human history launched in Taiwan

book launch for Origins of the Austronesian People's August 17, 2021
Culture 
Phillip Charlier 0 Comment , ,

The Council of Indigenous Peoples launched a book that explores the origin of the world’s most widely distributed language group, yesterday, August 17. The Origins of the Austronesians consists of articles by experts and scholars from around the world, and was published under the auspices of Taiwan’s Council of Indigenous Peoples. The book is the culmination of efforts that began at the International Austronesian Languages Revitalization Forum, jointly organized by Taiwan, Japan, and the United States, and held in Palau

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Indigenous representative visiting stranded villagers swept away by flooded stream

Xie Yizhen, Yasui River
Weather 
Phillip Charlier 0 Comment , ,

A female indigenous representative is missing after being swept away by a sudden surge of mud, water, and rocks, while crossing a stream in a mountain district of Kaohsiung City yesterday, August 11. Xie Yizhen (謝宜真) had been visiting residents of three villages left isolated after catastrophic levels of rain destroyed roads and bridges in Taoyuan District last week. See previous story: Emergency supplies flown into communities left isolated after disaster-level rain At around 5:40 pm, 54-year-old Xie was crossing

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Invasive crazy ants threaten ecology, traditional customs on Orchid Island

woman holds land crab on Orchid Island
Culture Environment 
Phillip Charlier 0 Comment , ,

Ecologists are warning that yellow crazy ants (Anoplolepis gracilipes) have been found to be already established on Orchid Island, threatening a local species of land crab, and cultural workers say it could also affect important traditional customs of the indigenous Tao people. Professor Lin Chung-chi, an ecologist from the biology department at National Changhua Normal University recently led a team of students and researchers to the island, and found that the crazy ants are already established on the island. The

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Bunun warriors fire 25-gun salute to fallen ancestors on April 25

Bunun warriors fire their weapons
Culture 
Phillip Charlier 0 Comment , , ,

Members of the Bunun ethnic indigenous people in Zhuoxi Township, Hualien County fired a 25-gun salute at the opening of an annual ceremony, linking generations from the past, to the present, and into the future today, April 25. The 25 shots fired from the hunter’s guns represented 23 Bunun men who were executed in the Dafen Incident, in 1915, when Japanese authorities attempted to confiscate the hunting rifles that the tribe were dependent on to survive; and two men who

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Austronesian youth from 9 nations will join Taiwanese indigenous people at this years National Indigenous Games

flag ceremony for Austronesian athletes prior to National Indigenous Games, Taiwan, 2021
Culture Sport 
Phillip Charlier 0 Comment ,

Twenty-one people from nine Austronesian nations will compete in traditional sports events with local indigenous athletes at this year’s biennial National Indigenous Games, which kick off tomorrow, March 19, in Yilan County. It is the first time international athletes have participated in traditional Austronesian sports events that will run alongside the official national athletic competitions. Austronesian Youth United will hold three traditional sports competitions, including traditional archery, wood-sawing, and weight carrying. Countries represented in the games include the Marshall Islands,

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Native pigs return to Orchid Island after 40-year captive breeding program

Orchid Island pig
Animals 
Phillip Charlier 0 Comment ,

The Council of Agriculture (COA) delivered 28 pure-bred miniature pigs native to Orchid Island back to their homeland after a 40-year captive breeding program designed to protect the species. The pygmy pigs arrived by boat at the Kaiyuan Harbor on January 15, according to United Daily News. The 10 boars and 18 sows were welcomed home by members of the indigenous Yami people. Shi La-heng, head of Langdao Village said that the pigs will be raised and bred in captivity

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Councilor Requests Changes to Accommodate Orchid Island Burial Customs

traditional boats on Orchid Island
Culture 
Phillip Charlier 0 Comment , , ,

[Picture: T Di Genova, The Wild East Magazine] A Taitung County Councilor has requested the District Prosecutor allow procedures, required by law to determine the cause of accidental death, be carried out by the local health clinic, and local police on Orchid Island. The change would better accommodate the traditional Yami custom of burying the deceased before sunset on the day of death. Current procedures require that officials of the District Prosecutor’s Office have to travel to the island to

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White Wolf: Taiwan Aborigines are Chinese, and Confucian

Culture 
Phillip Charlier 0 Comment , , ,

Chang An-lo, also known as the “White Wolf,” declared that Taiwan’s indigenous people are actually Chinese at an Amis “harvest festival” organised by the Chinese Unity Promotion Party in Hualian yesterday, September 9. The event was styled as “The Chinese Unity Year of Confucius 2568 Bumper Harvest Festival”. Making a speech as host of the event, the erudite gangster-turned-politician declared, “Everyone is Chinese; aboriginal people are Chinese.” Wearing a costume that resembled a traditional Chinese-style robe but with Amis aboriginal

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Aboriginal Hunting Rights Protected Under Wildlife Conservation Law

Council of Indigenous Peoples and Council of Agriculture members pose at a press conference
Culture 
Phillip Charlier 0 Comment ,

The right of aboriginal people to hunt for personal, non-profit use has been upheld with provisions made in the Wildlife Conservation Act, it was announced at a press conference at noon today. The press conference was held jointly by the Council of Indigenous Peoples and the Council of Agriculture. It was explained that under Article 21 of the Wildlife Conservation Act, indigenous people are legally able to hunt for personal use in aboriginal areas. The provisions were made to uphold

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