A morning at the beginning of the Augustus of 2016, in the presence of residents and representatives of the original tribe, the president of Tsai Ing-wen who represented the Taiwan government officially apologize to the original population (pribumi) on the treatment of injustice for 400 years. The first President of Taiwan said that the country should receive “right” to step forward “as a country with one folk”. He promises to provide greater autonomy to indigenous peoples, increase the owner of their land rights, work, education and conserving original languages.
Upon the request of the apologies, various government policies begin to be more admiring the rights of the original population. For example in the political field where there are eight of 113 seats in the parliament specifically for the indigenous people. The majority of the population are the original tribes, the leadership of the region is held by pribumi.
While in the economic field, the establishment of the Work Rights Protection Act in which there is a policy in each government infrastructure project, where a percentage of its workers must be derived from the indigenous population. In addition, the government also provides access and freedom to use natural resources provided not to seek personal benefits.
Taiwan Indigenous People Cultural Park, Pingtung.
The review of Paiwan tribe in Taiwan Indigenous People Cultural Park, Pingtung.
The Taiwan government also established the Indigenous People Cultural Foundation, a foundation that serves to provide and spread information about the original population through television, radio and magazine media. There is also Taiwan Indigenous People Cultural Park which is an 82-hectare cultural park in Pingtung, the city south of Taiwan. At that location we can find the formosa native tribe miniatures ranging from tradisonal houses, dances, songs and various craft results.
There are approximately 550 thousand indigenous people or 2,3 percent of the total population of Taiwan by 23 million people. From the amount there are 16 original tribes who are recognized by the government, Atayal, Seediq, Trucku, Saisiyat, Bunun, Thao, Tsou, Kanakanavu, Hla’alua, Rukai, Paiwan, Amis, Sakizaya, Kavalan, Puyuma and Yami. They are familiar and scattered in the middle, southern and eastern regions of Taiwan.
Amis tribe is one of the natives with the most common amounts and affairs among other tribes. While Atayal is one of the tribes living in the mountain area with characteristic features of the form of a tattoo on the face. The only sea tribe is Yami living in Lanyu Island. They are well known as ulung fishermen and have many cultural rituals especially associated with the sea.
Pria of one of the pribumi tribes posing in Taiwan Indigenous People Cultural Park, Pingtung.
Raja and Ratu of the tribes of Rukai in Kucapungane village, Pingtung.
According to the information of various sources, the geographical background of Taiwan’s native population or is often called the aborigin tribe originated from one ancestor that is the Austronesian. About 5000-6000 years ago they migrated from the passive area to part of Southeast Asia, Madagascar to settle in Formosa known as Taiwan.
Photo and Text: Utomo Presetyo
The hangout that connects between tribes in Taiwan Indigenous People Cultural Park, Pingtung.
The females of the Customs made manic-manic crafts in Kucapungane village, Pingtung.
The dancing of the tribe of Rukai sings and dances in Kucapungane village, Pingtung.
Mural in Taiwan Indigenous People Cultural Park, Pingtung.
Mural at one of the Rukai tribes in Kucapungane village, Pingtung.
The atmosphere of the village of Kucapungane, Pingtung.
Mural at one of the Rukai tribes in Kucapungane village, Pingtung.
Mural at one of the Rukai tribes in Kucapungane village, Pingtung.
One of Taiwan’s original heritage objects in the Antropology Museum in the National Taiwan University, Taipei.
The atmosphere of the living room at the Rukai tribe house in Kucapungane village, Pingtung.
The collection of the tribes of Rukai made crafts from beads in Kucapungane village, Pingtung.
Processary ceremony of Rukai’s guest delivery in Kucapungane village, Pingtung.
Taiwan’s original heritage in the anthropology museum, the National Taiwan University, Taipei.
