Saisiyat Dwarf Festival Artifact Museum Introduction
The Zhujiacun Tribe in Dapai Village, Wufeng Township, Hsinchu County ('ip'ipa'an bato'), means "the place of flat stones everywhere." This is the location of the Saisiyat Tribe's Dwarf Spirit Ritual Museum. The museum focuses on Saisiyat culture and showcases the rich history and cultural heritage of the Saisiyat people. Notably, it is situated in the same area as the Hsinchu Basdai Shrine, which is one of the cultural centers for the Saisiyat. The Saisiyat are the least populous group among Taiwan's nine indigenous tribes. The name of the Basdai Shrine, "Dwarf Spirit Festival," represents the Saisiyat people's reverence and respect for the Dwarf Spirit (the ancestral spirit of the Saisiyat). This festival is also a ritual for the Saisiyat to pray for good weather and a bountiful harvest. It is held every two years, with a grand festival conducted every ten years, attracting countless Saisiyat people living abroad to return home for participation. The Basdai Festival lasts for three days and involves a complex and ritualistic process, primarily divided into three stages: welcoming the spirits, entertaining the spirits, and sending off the spirits. During the festival, the Saisiyat people conduct the rituals with solemnity and invite others to participate. Participants must maintain an attitude of reverence rather than frivolity to respect the traditions and culture of the Saisiyat. This museum and festival not only symbolize Saisiyat culture but also represent a part of Taiwan's indigenous multiculturalism, allowing more people to understand and respect the history and traditions of this land.
