Wutai Stone Slate Settlement Introduction
Wutai Township is the highest township in Pingtung County, with an elevation of about 1,000 meters. It is one of the villages of the Rukai people, long regarded as a sacred site of the Rukai. The Rukai people possess profound wisdom in life and a rich artistic culture, often expressed in their slate houses, stone carvings, embroidery, and weaving crafts. Notably, the slate houses, constructed from locally-sourced stone materials, are cool and comfortable to live in, embodying a unique architectural feature that the Rukai take pride in. Wutai Slate Lane is the best place to experience the essence of Rukai culture. The pedestrian pathway, paved with flat slate stones, gradually ascends along the mountain slope and encompasses the Rukai Cultural Museum, the Catholic Church, and Wutai Elementary School within its scope, following the path of the viper. The handrails of the pathway are uniquely decorated with traditional clay pots; upon closer inspection, one might discover that the surfaces of these pots are engraved with viper patterns and various designs, each holding individual meanings. For instance, triangular patterns represent mountains and rivers, horizontal stripes symbolize rivers, and circles signify unity. Additionally, at the entrances of various alleyways, one can find diamond patterns resembling vipers painted in red, yellow, black, and white colors, primarily meant to substitute for pedestrian crosswalks, which is quite an interesting design. Furthermore, along the way, many lily flower patterns can be seen. In Rukai legend, lilies are related to the origins of their ancestors, thus holding a sacred status. Essentially, Rukai women must undergo a marriage ceremony or a flower-buying ceremony to wear a complete lily adornment, which includes pairing it with a red golden phoenix flower. The flower-buying ceremony refers to an unmarried woman's ritual, where, under economic allowance, she can choose a day to slaughter a pig, brew wine, and make rice cakes to present to the tribe chief to gain the right to wear flowers, marking a significant life ritual for Rukai women. Walking through the alleys, one can easily appreciate the cultural richness displayed through totems, clay pots, slate houses, slate sculptures, blacksmith shops, and bronze workshops, feeling the high talent and confidence of the Rukai people in their artistic creations while savoring the unique charm of Rukai art and culture.
