Dawu Cultural Affairs Office Introduction
The Taivoan people, also known as the Daguo people, are one of the indigenous tribes of Taiwan. Historical documents from the Qing Dynasty referred to them as "Sisha Shufan" and "Yishan Shufan." Their name comes from the four communities established by the Taivoan: Daguo Community, Xiaoli Community, Mangzaimang Community, and Qiabak Community. Their original homeland was in the Tainan Yujing Basin (earlier located around Danei District and Shanshang District) but they are now mainly distributed in the hilly and river valley areas of Tainan and Kaohsiung. The original Xiaolin village is located in the upper reaches of the Nanzi River, and most of the original residents belong to the Taivoan tribe. The village still retains the traditional belief site of the Taivoan, known as "Gongxia" (in Taivoan language: kuba), where the guardian deity is Fantaizu (also known as Taizu, and historically referred to as Kuba). On the 15th day of the ninth lunar month, the village holds a "Night Festival" there. The Taivoan Cultural Affairs Office is located in the inner area of the Yuemoon Mountain range in Shangping Village, Shanlin District. It was established after the Morakot disaster in 2009, which led to the destruction of Xiaolin village. The tribe members, unable to bear the destruction of their homeland, recreated their community, which from an aerial view, resembles the original beautiful Xiaolin village. The original "Zhongyi Road" was even renamed back to its former name. Walking through the recreated Xiaolin, one can see modern houses with the characteristics of the Pingpu indigenous people and gardens planted with native plants. In this beautiful and tranquil atmosphere, visitors can deeply feel the residents' profound connection to their homeland and the optimism and kindness of the local people, as if wandering through a time corridor between the old Xiaolin and the present. The Xiaolin Taivoan tribe possesses a rich tradition of songs and ritual culture. Notably, in 2011, tribe members from Xiaolin and nearby regions formed the Daguo Dance Troupe to revive traditional songs and rituals as a source of healing and motivation for re-emergence, achieving significant success. They have performed in Japan, South Korea, and Malaysia, and their complete dance repertoire has toured nationally, performing in places such as the Taipei Traditional Arts Center, Taichung National Opera House, and Kaohsiung Weiwuying Performing Arts Center, receiving acclaim. They were also invited to perform at major events like the National Day evening gala and "See the City." Their recorded traditional song "Back Home to Dance" was nominated for the Traditional Arts Golden Melody Awards. Watching the Daguo Dance Troupe perform in Xiaolin is a great opportunity to understand and appreciate the cultural heritage of the Austronesian language family. The Taivoan Cultural Affairs Office in Xiaolin features a diverse and vibrant display space, with fresh and bright earthen houses and gardens filled with native plants. The reconstructed Taivoan Gongxia, community activity center performance space, and creative product exhibition center all allow visitors to experience the unique cultural charm of Xiaolin. Additionally, the office actively organizes the "Taivoan Song and Dance Cultural Festival" and community cultural exchange activities, revitalizing important Taivoan rituals like "Jinxiang" and "Rain Prayer," becoming a significant cultural characteristic of the region, promoting cultural depth and sharing. The post-disaster reconstruction of Xiaolin demonstrates courage in facing calamity and embodies a "For Happiness" life philosophy, making it a worthwhile cultural experience to fully engage with and learn from.
Dawuleng Culture Walk - Gongxia Kuba
Dawu Cultural Affairs Office - Store
