Atayal Cultural Park

　　Hua’an is a multi-ethnic county, home to many ethnic groups such as the Atayal and She. It is the county on the Chinese mainland with the largest and most concentrated population of Atayal people. The Atayal have their own language (but no written script), unique customs, and lifestyle. They are hardworking, brave, good at singing and dancing, and warmly hospitable, fully showcasing their intelligence, spirit, and philosophy of life. They have created a rich and diverse ethnic culture. The Atayal have a particular passion for dance, often holding dance events during rituals or festivals. Their performances are exciting, rich in content, diverse in style, highly entertaining, and interactive, offering great amusement and aesthetic value. To promote minority culture, strengthen cross-strait kinship, and expand the county’s distinctive tourism offerings, the Hua’an County Tourism Bureau initiated the construction of the Hua’an Folk Culture Park in 1999. Covering an area of 100 acres, the first phase of the project invested nearly one million yuan to build the Atayal Village. The village now includes workshops, living quarters, performance areas, viewing platforms, watchtowers, as well as supporting facilities such as restaurants, tea houses, karaoke rooms, and children’s play areas. In the future, the Folk Culture Park plans to invest tens of millions of yuan to develop it into a comprehensive tourism and cultural destination with strong local characteristics, rich cultural content, and a blend of sightseeing, entertainment, and participation.

　　Hua’an is the county on the Chinese mainland with the largest and most concentrated population of Atayal people. Here, there is a vibrant Atayal song and dance performance troupe spontaneously formed by young Atayal people. Their performances are passionate, full of life, and feature exquisite costumes, winning widespread admiration. A standout feature of their performances is song-accompanied dance. When you visit Hua’an and enter the Atayal Folk Culture Park, the dances performed by the Atayal youth—such as the Circle Dance, Hair-Swinging Dance, Pestle Dance, and Top-Spinning Bamboo Pole Dance—are sure to captivate you.

　　The movements of Atayal dances are relatively simple, but the rhythms are particularly distinct, reflecting a clear primitive dance style. Early dances of Taiwan’s Atayal people were often centered around a roaring bonfire, where people gathered to drink. When sufficiently inebriated, they would sing and dance together. Many dancers would join hands in a circle, singing and dancing to demonstrate the unity of the community and express joy. The dance movements typically involve rhythmic stomping, jumping, swaying, and hand gestures.

　　The Atayal pour all their inner joy into song and dance, expressing internal rhythms through external physical movements. This creates a trembling, dance-like rhythm characterized by firm strength and an innocent, exuberant beauty that is deeply moving.

　　Circle Dance: Symbolizing unity, the Circle Dance (also called the Hand-Holding Dance) is the most popular group dance form among Taiwan’s Atayal people. The number of participants can range from just a few to dozens or even hundreds, and both men and women can take part. The Hand-Holding Dance involves many leg movements but fewer hand movements, including steps forward, backward, leg lifts, and various rhythmic stomps. Formations include circles moving left or right, advancing or retreating toward the center, spirals, and serpentine patterns that facilitate group movement. The dance is led by a skilled singer and dancer who sings while demonstrating the moves. The overall performance is lively and the atmosphere is enthusiastic.

　　Pestle Dance: Also known as Pestle Song, Pestle Music, or Pestle Rhythm, this form originated from the labor and entertainment of using pestles and mortars to pound rice in ancient times, later evolving into an independent art performance. The Pestle Dance is accompanied by a work song. Women pounding rice, usually in groups of three or four, stand around the mortar holding wooden pestles and sing softly in rhythm with the pounding, producing a melodious and distinctive sound. During the dance, women wear flowers in their hair and colorful ethnic costumes, holding pestles as they sing and dance. They move in and out of formations, performing graceful and lively dance moves, with harmonious and resonant songs and pestle sounds, and dynamic, varied footwork. It is one of the more distinctive performance-oriented dance forms among Taiwan’s Atayal people.

　　Hair-Swinging Dance: Traditionally, only unmarried girls are allowed to perform this dance, while men sit around and watch without participating. During festivals and celebrations, girls let down their beautiful long hair and dance gracefully to the music. The Hair-Swinging Dance begins with the women linking arms, placing their hands on their chests, stepping back and forth, and slowly swaying their bodies and hair. As the music’s tempo increases, the movements of their bodies and heads grow larger, gradually building up to the climax of the dance. The Hair-Swinging Dance centers on the flowing, swinging black hair, embodying a powerful vitality.

　　In addition, there are other highly folkloric Atayal dances such as the Shield Dance, Courtship Dance, and Jaw Harp Dance.

　　Taiwan’s Atayal dances have a long history. The Atayal people use dance to celebrate labor and life, as well as to express their love for and blessings upon life.