Profile of Indigenous Communities
The Sediq people (Seejiq/Sediq/Seediq) originated from Pusu Qhuni of the Central Mountain Range, nowadays known as Mudanyan. After migrating from their origin, the people settled in Truwan. Due to population growth, they gradually branched out and relocated, forming three distinct groups: Tgdaya, Toda, and Truku. In 2008, the government recognized the ethnicity of the whole indigenous group as Sediq.
Social and Cultural Features
Seediq society is a patrilineal society with a monogamous marriage system. The people strictly follow the ancestral rules gaya as their most important standard for behavior and social norms, to avoid misfortune sent by the ancestral spirits. The gaya group is centered on one or two close kin groups, sharing farming, rituals, and taboos. The tribal leader is chosen by the community based on qualities such as intelligence and integrity. The most representative figure is Mona Rudo, Chief of the Mahepo Community, who led the anti-Japanese resistance during the Wushe Incident (Showa 5, 1930). Traditional houses are available in two forms: the sunken-bottom wooden house (more primitive) and the common bamboo house (developed after migration).
Industry and Arts
Traditional industries are mainly agriculture and hunting, with sweet potatoes, taro, millet, and glutinous millet as the main staples. The garment’s main feature is its red style, with traditional clothing made primarily from ramie fiber. The garments are adorned with horizontal red striping.
Facial tattooing (patasan) is a symbol of adulthood; men need to secure a head or pass a hunting test, and women need approved weaving and farming skills before being allowed to receive patasan. Patasan carries religious significance; the people believe ancestral spirits use it to identify Sediq descendants. The Sediq people call weaving “tminun”, including weaving crafts and cloth weaving. The former is the traditional skill of men, while the latter is the traditional skill of women, both holding an important cultural status.
Ceremonies and Rituals
The Sediq people believe in supernaturalism, with utux (ancestral spirits) being the most important belief. The Ancestral Spirit Ritual is held after the millet harvest; the people tie offerings to bamboo, and elders call the spirits to enjoy. Following the ritual, all offerings must be fully consumed at the location, and participants are forbidden from taking any items away or turning back to look as they leave.
Competition Event and Participants
- Traditional Archery: Individual Event－Open Men’s Division (2 Participants) /Individual Event－Open Women’s Division (1 Participant)
- Traditional Music and Dance: Group Event－Open Mixed Division (9 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 Canoe Racing: Individual Event－Open Men’s Division (2 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)
- Freediving Sprint: Individual Event－Open Men’s Division (2 Participants)