Profile of Indigenous Communities
The Truku ethnic group traces its origins to Renai Township, Nantou County, a location the tribe itself refers to as Truku Truwan. Due to population growth and limited land for farming and hunting, the people migrated east, crossing the Central Mountain Range to Hualien. The Truku value weaving and facial tattooing, believe in ancestral spirits, and follow the ancestral rules, gaya. In 2004, it was officially recognized as one of the Taiwanese indigenous peoples called the Truku people. Currently, the Truku people are mainly settled in Xiulin, Wanrong, and Zhuoxi townships in Hualien County, and in some villages in Jian Township.
Social and Cultural Features
The society of the Truku people is a patrilineal structure based on the nuclear family unit, where the family estate is inherited by the male descendants. The tribal organization (galang/alang) refers to residents who share communal rituals, hunting, and accountability for offenses. The traditional leader (bukun) is chosen by the tribe for their intelligence and integrity to mediate disputes and coordinate external relations. Gaya (ancestral rules) is the Truku’s most important rule of life and moral standard. The people believe ancestors will bring disaster if gaya is violated, so atonement must be made through animal sacrifice.
Industry and Arts
Traditional production was mainly slash-and-burn agriculture, cultivating millet, corn, and sweet potatoes. Clothing is mainly white with varied diamond patterns, which symbolize the eyes of ancestral spirits and protect the people. Female weaving (tminun) skill is crucial; only after learning to weave can a woman receive facial tattoo (patasan), marry, and pass the Rainbow Bridge test. Facial tattooing (patasan) functions as the indicator of maturity; women are only allowed to receive patasan after their weaving proficiency has been officially recognized.
Architecture comes in two styles: the sunken-bottom wooden house in indigenous Nantou (with horizontally-stacked log walls and the slate roof), and the bamboo house in current Hualien settlements.
Ceremonies and Rituals
The traditional religious belief system of the Truku ethnic group is primarily focused on the utux rudan (ancestral spirits). The most important ritual is the Ancestral Spirit Ritual (mgay bari), held after the millet harvest. During the ritual, people tie wine and millet cakes to bamboo, and elders invoke the ancestral spirits to come and receive them. The offerings are eaten locally afterward, and people must not take them or look back upon leaving.
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 (7 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 (2 Participants) /Individual Event－Men’s Division 70kg and Above (2 Participants)
- 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)
- Weight Carrying: Group Event－Open Mixed Division (4 Participants)
- Freediving Sprint: Individual Event－Open Men’s Division (2 Participants) /Individual Event－Men’s Division 70kg and Above (2 Participants)