Sabahuy Tribe Introduction
Sapulju Village is located in Xinxing Village, Jinfeng Township, Taitung County. It is an Eastern Paiwan indigenous village surrounded by mountains on three sides and the sea on one side. To the south, it neighbors the Dawang Village of Taimali Township, to the north, the Lubakaz Village of Taimali Township, to the east, the Pacific Ocean, and to the west, Jinzhenshan. Facing the Pacific Ocean, the environment is serene. The old name "Sapu Lu" (SA PU RU) was changed to "Lubakate" after Taiwan's retrocession. In Mandarin, it is translated as "Xinxing Village." Prior to the 39th year of the Republic of China, Sapulju Village was part of the territory of Lubaka Village in Taimali Township, designated as a forbidden hunting ground. The local indigenous people refer to this area as Sapulju, which in Paiwan language means "lonely" or "desolate." Sapulju Village is composed of four major tribes and eight prominent families, namely "Jiubinmou Tribe," "Budon Tribe," "Jinhong Tribe," and "Shikado Tribe." The Jiubinmou Tribe, located in the southern Mount Dawu area, includes the "Bafafalung Family" and the "Gushacha Family," while the Budon Tribe in the northern Mount Dawu area consists of the "Luofaniyhao Family." The Jinhong Tribe to the south of Mount Dawu includes the "Delunafnavek," "Jinilugu," "Jiujiasha Family," and "Dufeilong Family," while the Shikado Tribe has the "Shikado Family," collectively known as the eight major leaders of Sapulju Village. Starting from the entrance of Xinxing Elementary School, there is a series of paintings and stone carvings on the ground that guide visitors into the world of indigenous culture. Whether it’s the parking shed, walkways, or restrooms, the walls and doors are adorned with traditional Paiwan totem art, filled with the flavor of Paiwan traditional culture. In the traditional stone house of the village head in Xinxing Village, one can appreciate the wooden sculptures of amateur artist Ganbi, providing a deeper understanding of the beauty of Paiwan traditional culture.
