By / Scenic Spots Home Compilation and Report
Pingtung boasts a rich and diverse indigenous culture, and the Catholic churches in the tribal villages are filled with local character. Recently, the “Our Lady of Fátima Church” in Taiwu Township, belonging to the Paiwan tribe’s Jia Ping Village, has become especially popular. The entire building, both inside and out, showcases indigenous aesthetics—not only is it magnificent, but it also offers a perfect interpretation of the fusion of history and culture.
The Our Lady of Fátima Church, a Catholic church full of indigenous features, has sparked widespread discussion. (Photo / Pan Meng-an, Magistrate of Pingtung County; the same below)
Exterior of the church.
The Our Lady of Fátima Church was designed by Rukai priest Du Yongxiong and took four years to complete. It fully expresses the traditional culture and architectural characteristics of Pingtung’s indigenous peoples. Coupled with Catholic theological metaphors, this uniquely humanistic approach has resulted in a distinctive cultural architecture.
Indigenous-style carvings can be seen right at the entrance gate.
The statue of the Madonna, dressed in traditional indigenous attire, is equally sacred and uniquely striking.
The church is adorned with colorful stained-glass windows and follows the layout of a Catholic church, yet seamlessly integrates indigenous elements and totems without any sense of incongruity. The name of Jia Ping Village, meaning “the palm of the hand” in the tribal language, serves as the central theme of the church’s design. The bright, luxurious, yet mysterious and solemn atmosphere presents the grandeur of an international art sanctuary, offering a deeply enriching cultural journey.
The colorful stained-glass windows depict stories from the Bible.
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