Atayal people
The Atayal, also known as the Tayal and the Tayan, are a Taiwanese indigenous people. The Atayal people number around 90,000, approximately 15.9% of Taiwan's total indigenous population, making them the third-largest indigenous group. The preferred endonym is "Tayal", although official English translations of documents supplied by the Taiwanese government name them as "Atayal".
Etymology
The Atayal word for Atayal is tayal, meaning "human" or "man".The word the people use to refer to themselves is Tayal, almost never Atayal.
Origins
The first record of Atayal inhabitance is found near the upper reaches of the Zhuoshui River. During the late 17th century, they crossed the Central Mountain Ranges into the wilderness of the east. They then settled in the Liwu River valley. Seventy-nine Atayal villages can be found here.Genetics
Taiwan has been home to a number of Austronesian indigenous groups since before 4,000 BC. However, genetic analysis suggests that the different peoples may have different ancestral source populations originating in mainland Asia, and developed in isolation from each other. The Atayal people are believed to have migrated to Taiwan from Southern China or Southeast Asia. Genetic studies have also found similarities between the Atayal and other people in the Philippines and Thailand, and to a lesser extent with south China and Vietnam. The Atayal are genetically distinct from the Amis people, who are the largest indigenous group in Taiwan, as well as from the Han people, suggesting little mingling between these people. Studies on Mitochondrial DNA polymorphisms suggest ancient migrations of two lineages of the various peoples into Taiwan approximately 11,000–26,000 years ago.Recent DNA studies show that the Lapita people and modern Polynesians have a common ancestry with the Atayal and the Kankanaey people of the northern Philippines.
The Atayal are visibly different from the Han Chinese of Taiwan.
Folklore
According to stories told by their elders, the first Atayal ancestors appeared when a stone, Pinspkan, cracked apart. There were three people, but one decided to go back into the stone. One man and one woman who lived together for a very long time and loved each other very much. But the boy was shy and wouldn't dare approach her. Whereupon, the girl came up with an idea. She left her home and found some coal with which to blacken her face so she could pose as a different girl.After several days, she crept back into their home and the boy mistook her for another girl and they lived happily together. Not long after, the couple bore children, fulfilling their mission of procreating the next generation. The Atayal custom of face tattooing may have come from the girl blackening her face in the story.
Culture
Lifestyle
The Tayal people have maintained their traditions and cultures for a thousand years. They are traditionally self-sufficient through fishing, hunting, gathering and farming through slash and burn. Responsibilities are allocated based on gender, which male is responsible for hunting, net-knotting; female, on the other hand, takes up the role of weaving. Tayal people also adheres to strict gender roles, with men practicing hunting and women practicing weaving. They also have culturally specific musical instruments and dances.The Atayal were known as skilled warriors. In a practice illegal since the Japanese Colonial Era, for a man to earn his facial tattoo, he had to bring back at least one human head; these heads, or skulls, were highly honored, given food and drink, and expected to bring good harvests to the fields. The Atayal are also known for the case of the Wushe Incident, in which the Atayal participated in an uprising against colonial Japanese forces.
The Lalaw Behuw, a type of long knife, was a weapon used by the Atayals.
Traditional beliefs
The concept of Gaga is fundamental to Tayal society. Gaga functioned as a way of living and an unwritten set of rules that governs all aspects of life. Passed down through generations, gaga emphasizes morality, harmony, and mutual respect within the community.Roles and enforcement
- Leader and elders are the custodians of gaga, interpreting and enforcing its principles while ensuring its continuity. Their role is critical, as they provide guidance and serve as mediators in community disputes.
- Gaga dictates appropriate behavior in marriage, community interactions, rituals, and even hunting practices. It establishes expectations that promote social harmony and prevent conflicts.
Cultural importance
- Adhering to gaga ensures social cohesion and the preservation of Tayal traditions. It fosters a sense of belonging and identity among community members. Violations of these norms could result in ostracism or exclusion from important ceremonies, highlighting its significance in maintaining order. Such consequences serve as deterrent against behaviour that could disrupt social harmony.
- The influence of previous generations is also reflected in Tayal naming systems, where a newborn is named after their father, or their mother. For instance, the father named "Yukan Dayung" has a kid called "Yumin", the full name of the kid will be "Yumin Yukan". The next generation will take on the first name of their father, so on and so forth. It reflected the significance of seniority in Tayal culture, constantly reminding the future generations through their names.
Traditional beliefs in modern times
Traditional Atayal houses
Source:Traditional Tayal houses are rectangular structures, typically built using multiple layers for the roof, including bamboo, bark, stone, wood, and thatch. This multilayered roofing system provides insulation and protection against the elements. With the Tayal population widely distributed across Taiwan, their houses vary in style. One common type is the half-underground house, especially found in Nantou County, Yilan County, and Taichung County. In the Nan'ao community, family houses are built using bamboo, rocks, rattan, and wood. These houses are dug downwards from the base, with half of the structure located below the ground, providing natural insulation. The length of a Nan'ao-style family house is usually the arm span of three adults, while the width is the arm span of two adults.
The roofs of Atayal houses in Nan'ao Township are typically made of bamboo and cypress bark as the base, paved with stone slabs, and secured with wooden strips. These houses also feature windows on three sides for ventilation and lighting. However, the windows are usually only half-open to prevent enemy attacks. Additionally, steps leading into the house are flanked by bamboo screens to provide protection against spear attacks.
Interior layout
The interior of Tayal houses usually consists of earthen floors, with beds raised on stilts to prevent moisture and pests. In the case of half-underground houses, four beds are placed in the four corners of the room. Two small beds, hanging upside down on the ceiling on the left and right sides, serve as beds for the ancestors' spirits. These ancestral beds also function as storage areas, called "gaga." The storage on the left contains men's hunting tools, while the storage on the right holds women's weaving materials.For cooking and heating, Tayal houses incorporate stoves into the living space. In half-underground houses, there are typically two three-stone stoves, used both for warmth and meal preparation. The layout of these houses follows a distinct division, with separate spaces designated for men and women. This division extends to storage, ensuring that each gender has a designated area for their tools and materials—hunting equipment for men and weaving tools for women.
Gender roles and restrictions
Strict gender roles are adhered to within Tayal culture. Men are not permitted to touch women's weaving tools, while women are forbidden from handling men's hunting tools, such as guns and bows. This separation is deeply rooted in cultural beliefs, as each gender has its own designated role within the Tayal household. Crossing these boundaries is believed to bring misfortune.Community pavilion (Pslyan)
In addition to residential structures, the Tayal tribe also constructs community pavilions, known as Pslyan. These structures were initially developed for discussions and negotiations during Japanese colonial rule, with Japanese authorities involved in tribal management. In later times, these pavilions became gathering spaces where tribal elders and community members convene to discuss governance, cultural rituals, and conflict resolution.Structure and use
Community pavilions are situated in open spaces and are typically larger than individual houses, designed to accommodate a large number of people. Featuring a rectangular layout, these pavilions often include a central fire pit for warmth and cooking during gatherings. The open design facilitates air circulation and encourages social interaction. Similar to residential houses, the pavilions are constructed using sustainable materials like bamboo and wood, reflecting the Tayal tribe's deep connection to their environment.Three-stone stove (hka') in Atayal culture
Source:The stability of the three-stone stove is based on the principle of "three points forming a plane," which creates a stable pivot. In contrast, using four or five stones can lead to instability due to the creation of too many surfaces, making it harder to balance the pot. To enhance stability, one end of each stone is slightly buried in the ground, maintaining a height of about 20 to 30 centimeters above the ground. When a pot is placed on this structure and firewood is added, it forms a three-channel pathway for the fire pit. This design ensures both stability and control, allowing for proper airflow and more vigorous combustion.
Endless fire
The concept of fire is vital in Atayal culture. The three stones used in the stove should be positioned on two side of the house. Three-stone stove is a hallmark of indigenous culture. When we see a stove made of four stones in the mountains, it is not representative of the Atayal tradition.
For the Atayal people, the act of lighting a fire signifies that someone is home. Fire symbolizes the life of the Atayal community.
Construction and functions
The upper part of the house is constructed using wood and bamboo, secured with yellow rattan. The more you burn the yellow rattan, the tighter and stronger it becomes. Fire keep the house dry and warm. Not only serving to cook, but fire also prevent moisture, deter insects, and inhibit material decay for their house.
The smoke produced rises and wafts towards the shelves "gaga", where hunting tools, rattan hats, and weapons are stored, keeping them dry.
The ancestors of the Atayal people are buried underground below bed, and the fire helps keep them warm. Atayal people believe that the smoke from Three-stone stove carries messages to their ancestors, ensuring that ancestors can hear our promise and thus, they will not break their vows.