Taiwan Tourist Shuttle – A Taste of Nanzhuang

Text & Photography / Chiang Ming-li

 

The film *Seediq Bale* gave the Taiwanese public a vivid glimpse into the history of indigenous resistance against Japanese rule many years ago, sparking a trend in indigenous-themed travel. Among the routes offered by the Taiwan Tourist Shuttle, the Shishan–Nanzhuang Line features multiple stops related to indigenous communities, including the Baguali Tribe in Nanzhuang, Shenxian Valley Waterfall, and Luchang. Visitors can not only enjoy traditional Saisiyat Pas-ta’ai (Ritual of the Short People) dance performances but also visit ancestral sacred sites of the Atayal people, and savor delicious indigenous cuisine—fully immersing themselves in a rich cultural experience.

 

The Saisiyat Pas-ta’ai Ritual Unveiled at Baguali Tribe

 

The Saisiyat Pas-ta’ai Ritual isn’t something you can see every day, but traditional performances and dances can be experienced on weekends or by group reservation. The Baguali Tribe in Penglai Village, Nanzhuang, is home to the Saisiyat Cultural and Arts Promotion Association, where members introduce the fascinating history of the Saisiyat people through traditional culture and song-and-dance performances.

The Saisiyat are a patrilineal society where men are expected to hunt and women to weave. To preserve their heritage, Saisiyat children begin learning their native language from a young age and become familiar with the essence of their culture through songs and dances. When visitors come to the Baguali Tribe, the arts promotion association arranges three dance performances, including the hunting dance, weaving dance, and, of course, the distinctive hip bells used in the Pas-ta’ai Ritual, offering a simple introduction to the ceremony and its process. One of the highlights is the chance to join the performers on stage—visitors are led in dancing alongside the indigenous community, enjoying the joy brought by the rhythm of the music.

DATA

Chien Pan-san-mei, Saisiyat Cultural and Arts Promotion Association, Miaoli County

Transportation: Take the Taiwan Tourist Shuttle Xianshan Line and get off at the Baguali Tribe stop

Address: No. 91, Lane 7, Penglai Village, Nanzhuang Township, Miaoli County

Phone: 037-821-226, 0956-100-560