Paiwan's Piuma Meets Puyuma's Puyuma in Hunting Ceremony
Written by Zih Gao     Photography by: Huang Sin Yi / Zih Gao  

The serious and solemn atmosphere at the sacrifice ground during the mourning ending ritual.

The young warriors are always with the elders from hunting to hunting return and mourning ending.

        After lunch, we returned to the sacrifice ground to participate the traditional offering ritual held to end the mourning period. The elders sang in solo with solemn faces, while the young people sang in lively chorus. The elders' singing was full of sadness, the young people's chorus was like the sound of the nature. The combined singing made people feel the eternal existence of spirits and elevation of life. It also let us feel the emotion of remembering the dead. Traditionally, the tribe's people see death as a mysterious object, but as a communication tool between the deceased and the living. The death of an indigenous person is not a family matter, but a settlement matter. Therefore, each life of the villagers is connected to their settlement. For Paiwan people, there are different treatments regarding naturally deceased or accidentally deceased. The living may respect or disrespect the dead, and the decision whether to hold domestic funeral mark a great difference to the Puyuma people.

Lines of People wore beautiful traditional costumes, resembling a waving color ribbon.

Rarely seen Piuma girls in the traditional scene try to snap warriors' photos.

       The merry Bala Crown Ceremony was held in the same way in the morning. The young warriors ran and circled the elders to protect them to the far-away Bala Crown Ritual ground (Puyuma Traditional Activities Center). I could feel the dignity and safety as an elder encircled by these warriors. I also sensed a happiness that the elders' dignity is well protected. People wore beautiful traditional costumes, which resembled a waving color ribbon. The young warriors kept roaring and ran in courageous footsteps to conduct their protection duty, while the elders walking relaxed in the circle. The scene resulted a sharp contrast.