Shakalangkou Village Introduction
The Koushe Community, adjacent to the Sakalan River, is a Paiwan Indigenous tribe. The old name of Koushe is Sagaran, derived from the upstream parting of Dasha. Once, two hunters, Sapantje and Salatiliman, from the Dasha Dawalan tribe went hunting and, upon reaching a place known as Kauma'an (the old Koushe settlement), their hunting dogs refused to leave. The hunters then settled there, and some residents from Dasha also migrated to this area. Hunter Sapantje returned to invite the chief's fourth son, Sa'adiu, from Dasha to lead the new settlement, resulting in the formation of the new tribe named "Sagaran." On the entrance stone pavilion of the Koushe community is a sculpture depicting the two hunters, their dogs, and the chief. To this day, during weddings in the village, it is customary to send betel nuts and oranges arranged in flower wreaths to the descendants of the two hunters, as a sign of respect for the tribe's legendary figures. The tribal name of Koushe is Sagaran, and the Sakalan River that flows through Koushe Village is the lifeblood of the Sagaran people. After three relocations, the Sagaran people have always shared a close bond with the Koushe River, maintaining an important interdependent relationship. In 2001, an incident involving poisoning of fish by unscrupulous individuals led to a massive die-off of fish in the river, profoundly affecting the river's ecosystem. The villagers were deeply appalled by this act, prompting the village chief to gather the community and initiate a river protection plan, marking the beginning of the Sagaran River conservation movement. During the nearly two years of conservation efforts, the community engaged in voluntary labor, allowing villagers to participate in river patrols, construct riverside trails, build stone embankments, and set up platforms for stilt houses. Gradually, the Sakalan River has restored its ecological environment. Indigenous peoples have historically relied on mountain forests and river resources to sustain their tribes, taking from nature while also preserving it. They establish an ethical framework for resource use based on the natural reproductive cycles of living organisms, ensuring resources are utilized sustainably. With the rich cultural characteristics of the Paiwan tribe and their unique way of life, coupled with the abundant ecological resources of the Sakalan River, we can develop a high-quality ecological tourism industry in Sagaran.
