Jiu Fa Wan Tribe Introduction
The old Fawan Village is the ancestral home of the Paiwan and Rukai tribes, located in the mountainous area at an altitude of over 800 meters, offering a geographical advantage of being high above the sea. It is neighboring the Shelu Village, Haocha Village, and Gaoyan Village, separated by the Nankxi River. In the distance lies the Paiwan sacred mountain, Mount Dawu, which not only provides a defense against foreign invasions but is also a beautiful and secluded place. In the early days, the Fawan Village had about 100 households. During the Japanese colonial period, the Japanese authorities forcibly relocated the indigenous people from Gaoyan and Shelu villages to Fawan Village. After the restoration, the National Government moved the residents of the three tribal groups to present-day Maju Village, Fawan Village, and Beiye Village, and the original village was renamed Old Fawan Village. The declining Old Fawan and Shelu villages eventually had only a few households left, and the more remote Gaoyan Village was already uninhabited. Although Old Fawan Village has been relocated, a few indigenous residents still dwell here. They work in the mountains alongside their relocated kin, cultivating crops such as betel nuts, millet, yams, and tree beans. Because they continue to live here, Old Fawan Village has preserved over ten complete slate houses. To prevent the village culture from eroding, the villagers have collectively agreed and worked towards rebuilding their community. After the reorganization, not only has the appearance of the slate houses been restored, but a slate path has also been created within the village. Visitors can follow the pathway to explore the ritual grounds, driftwood pavilions, display granaries, and display platforms for roasting yams, experiencing the beauty of original indigenous culture.
