Tungpu Ryukyu Burial Site Introduction
The Tongpu Ryukyu People’s Cemetery, also known as the Ryukyu Fief Cemetery, was established in 1871 (the 10th year of the Tongzhi era of the Qing Dynasty). That year, two ships were en route to Naha for tribute when they encountered a typhoon on their return journey. Several days later, the ships were stranded in the Bay of Bayao in Hengchun, where 66 crew members landed to take shelter. Unfortunately, they mistakenly wandered into indigenous territory, and due to the language barrier, a serious conflict arose with the local Paiwan people, resulting in the tragic killing of 54 Ryukyuans, who were subsequently buried in Tongpu Village. In the initial phase of its establishment, no monument was erected at the Ryukyu People’s Cemetery. In 1874, the Japanese, under the pretext of protecting the residents, launched a violent assault on the highland tribes in Pingtung, notably the Gaosifu Society, Mudan Society, and Nuying Society, culminating in the event known as the Mudan Incident. Following this, a monument titled "The Grave of Fifty-Four Ryukyu People of the Great Japanese Empire" was erected at the cemetery, making it the earliest monument left by the Japanese during their stay in Taiwan. During the period of Japanese colonial rule, regular funds were allocated for maintenance, and even historians from Okinawa came to promote the restoration of the tombs. Therefore, despite the passage of several centuries, the cemetery retains its intact appearance, leaving behind an undeniable historical relic. Although the appearance of the Ryukyu People’s Cemetery holds aesthetic value, the profound cultural significance it embodies is even more noteworthy. In the past, the indigenous peoples practiced headhunting, so the victims buried in the cemetery, while their names and descendants are known, are without heads. This historical tragedy serves not only as a reminder of the bloodshed but also as a witness to a precious cultural heritage of its time.
