Experience Indigenous Life in Eastern Taiwan Tribes

Text & Photography / Liu Jiawen

The mountainous hinterland of beautiful Taiwan—Taitung—is home to many indigenous villages. When people think of indigenous culture, they often immediately picture the Harvest Festival, filled with graceful dances and joyful singing. However, the festival’s timing is closely tied to the age-class system of the tribes. For example, the coming-of-age trials and the Monkey Ceremony for boys are essential rites for Amis and Puyuma youths to become warriors, respectively. In addition, the agricultural activities of the Paiwan people are also an important part of understanding their tribal culture. Join us as we visit these three indigenous tribes for a journey into authentic indigenous life.

Take on the Amis Coming-of-Age Challenge with Bamboo Rafting

The Marongarong Tribe in Donghe Township, Taitung County, is an Amis settlement located near the Maolukuxi River. “Marongarong” is the tribal name, where “Rongarong” means “rapid river,” and “Ma” is an intensifier similar to “very.” The tribe’s ancestors named the area Marongarong because of the loud sound of stones rolling in the fast-flowing river.

The Maolukuxi River is rich in aquatic resources and has long been a key place for the tribe to fish with nets. It is also one of the locations for the tribe’s coming-of-age challenges. Amis youths must paddle bamboo rafts around the largest rock in the river, known as the Emperor Rock, and navigate through narrow waterways between cliffs and boulders. Only after completing this can they prove themselves as warriors. Now, the general public also has the chance to take on the tribe’s coming-of-age challenge to see if they can become Amis warriors. The Tribal Development Association offers a traditional bamboo rafting experience. Groups of two to three people sit on rafts handcrafted by tribal members, using wooden paddles to drift along the river for one to one-and-a-half hours. Enjoy the fun of floating on the water while taking in the beautiful views of the estuary and Donghe Bridge.

Stay in a Traditional Tribal House and Immerse Yourself in Indigenous Fun

To gain a deeper understanding of Amis life and culture, consider staying at a Donghe tribal house. The design and appearance of the tribal house replicate traditional homes from the 1950s–60s. Elders were specially invited to oversee the construction, which was carried out by tribal youth using their various skills, giving it a strong sense of heritage. The structure features bamboo walls covered with thatch. There are four accommodation rooms, named Safa, Kaka, and Ina. “Safa” and “Kaka” mean younger and older siblings in the Amis language, while “Ina” means mother—symbolizing a family-like atmosphere. The rooms have bunk beds, with two rooms accommodating eight people each and the other two fitting twelve. Each room includes private bathrooms, air conditioning, and a cozy loft, offering plenty of space and comfort.

The tribal house operates on a reservation basis and offers all-inclusive eco-leisure packages including meals, lodging, and activities. It accepts group bookings of four to five people or more, with a price of NT$1,750 per person for a two-day, one-night stay. Lin Rongzhang, CEO of the tribal house, suggests visitors spend “two and a half suns and one moon” here—during the day, you can fish with nets in the Maolukuxi River, go bamboo rafting, bike to Dengxian Bridge to visit Formosan macaques, or hike up Dulan Mountain to search for sapphires in the streams. In the evening, back at the tribal house, enjoy live guitar performances and sing and dance together, embodying the tribal spirit of “eating, living, playing, having fun, singing, dancing, partying, working, drinking, passing out, and throwing up.”