Profile of Indigenous Communities
The Bunun ethnic group inhabits the highest elevations among Taiwan’s indigenous peoples, with settlements situated on both flanks of the Central Mountain Range, ranging from 500 to 1,500 meters above sea level, encompassing an extensive territory. The main ancestral areas are in the mountain regions of several counties and cities, including Nantou, Hualien, Taitung, and Kaohsiung. The Bunun people possess multiple creation myths regarding their origins, including the legends of birth from a calabash and birth from excrement. As a result of historical migrations, the Bunun population gradually expanded its distribution extensively, leading to a strong cultural emphasis on their migration history.
Social and Cultural Features
The foundation of Bunun society rests upon the structure of the patrilineal extended family. Extended families usually span two or more generations, often including 30 to 40 people. Familial property is customarily passed down via the patrilineal system of inheritance. The Bunun believe in spirits (hanitu). Each human has a spirit on their left shoulder (evil) and right shoulder (good). The people also believe in dihanin (heaven), the source of everything. The slate house is a distinctive feature of traditional architecture. The “millet granary” is the house’s most sacred part; it symbolizes the home, is closed to outsiders, and serves a ritual purpose.
Music and Arts
The Bunun people’s music is internationally renowned, especially the “Eight-Part Polyphony” in the “Prayer of Millet Harvest” (pasibutbut). The song is chanted before the Millet Sowing Ritual ends; the people believe better harmony leads to a better millet harvest that year. The discovery of the Eight-Part Polyphony once changed the theories on the origin of Western music. Men’s long vests use white ramie with wide diamond patterns on the back (symbolizing the Hundred Pacer snake’s spine), the most striking feature of Bunun clothing.
Ceremonies and Rituals
Bunun rituals are closely tied to millet farming. Their most iconic rite is the Ear Shooting Festival (Malahodaigian), alternatively termed the Ear Striking Festival, traditionally held during the months of April and May. Malahodaigian mainly seeks a bountiful hunt, but also serves broader goals like passing on tradition, education, competition, and unity. During the ritual, only male participants (including boys) engage in the ear shooting ritual, females are strictly prohibited. The Reporting of Success (Malastapang) is where Bunun men publicly display their abilities. Previously restricted to those in war or headhunting, it is now replaced by hunting trophies and social titles.
Competition Event and Participants
- Traditional Archery: Individual Event－Open Men’s Division (2 Participants) /Individual Event－Open Women’s Division (2 Participants)
- Log Sawing: Group Event－Open Mixed Division (4 Participants)
- Traditional Tug-of-War: Group Event－Open Mixed Division (20 Participants)
- Traditional Wrestling: Individual Event－Men’s Division Below 70kg (1 Participant) /Individual Event－Men’s Division 70kg and Above (1 Participant)
- Net Casting: Group Event－Open Mixed Division (4 Participants)
- Traditional Road Running: Individual Event－Open Men’s Division (1 Participant) /Individual Event－Open Women’s Division (2 Participants)
- Weight Carrying: Group Event－Open Mixed Division (4 Participants)