Profile of Indigenous Communities
The Amis is the largest indigenous ethnic group in Taiwan. They are mainly distributed in the east of the Central Mountain Range and the plains area south of the Liwu River, covering Hualien and Taitung. Amis people call themselves “Pangcah”, which means “people” and “kinsmen”. Given their extensive geographical spread, the Amis people are categorized into three major regional and cultural divisions: the Northern Amis, the Central Amis, and the Southern Amis. In the late Qing rule, due to the mountain cultivation and indigenous appeasement policy, the Amis began active outside interaction and adopted the technology for paddy rice farming.
Social and Cultural Features
Amis communities (niyaro’) are characterized by their large scale and dense population, fitting the description of concentrated settlements. The social system includes both matrilineal marriage and an age hierarchy (selel/kapot) system. This matrilineal society features uxorilocal residence, in which property and lineage are inherited through the female line, from mother to daughter. While the system has recently seen shifts toward patrilineal customs, women nevertheless retain significant roles.
The age hierarchy is a vital organization for maintaining the tribe’s military, administrative, and political functions. Males aged 13 or 14 enter the assembly hall (sfi) for training, living and learning together. Age hierarchy names are divided into name succession (Northern Amis) or name creation (Southern Amis), which names the hierarchy after a major event, serving as a historical chronicle.
Industry and Arts
The primary traditional livelihoods involve both agriculture and fishery. The staple food evolved from early millet (hafay) to paddy rice (panay). A renowned culinary specialty is mochi (toron), created by pounding cooked glutinous rice. They are humorously known as the “herbivorous tribe” for their extensive expertise in plant gathering. The “hot stone pot” cooking method offers a unique flavor. The clothing is colorful and vibrant, with preferred colors including red, black, white, blue, and green. The Betel Nut Bag (‘alufo) is a crucial clothing accessory, crafted by mothers or women to be gifted to their children or romantic partners.
Ceremonies and Rituals
The major Amis festival is the Harvest Festival (known as ilisin, among other names), held every summer beginning around July. The Harvest Festival was originally for the millet harvest but was later moved to after the paddy rice harvest. The Harvest Festival is a comprehensive activity combining multiple functions: harvest, thanksgiving, friendship making (communion), socialization, and age class promotion evaluation. Also, the Catch Festival (Sea/River Ritual) is held annually between May and June, to show respect for the elderly and honor community virtues.
Competition Event and Participants
- Traditional Archery: Individual Event－Open Men’s Division (2 Participants) /Individual Event－Open Women’s Division (2 Participants)
- Traditional Music and Dance: Group Event－Open Mixed Division (8 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 70kg and Above (1 Participant)
- Net Casting: Group Event－Open Mixed Division (4 Participants)
- Traditional Canoe Racing: Individual Event－Open Men’s Division (2 Participants)
- Traditional Road Running: Individual Event－Open Men’s Division (2 Participants) /Individual Event－Open Women’s Division (2 Participants)