Sabyu Tribe Introduction
The Sapulju tribe is located in Xinxing Village, Jin Feng Township, Taitung County. It is an East Paiwan indigenous tribe surrounded by mountains on three sides and the ocean on one side. To the south, it neighbors the Dawang tribe in Taimali Township; to the north, the Rubakaz tribe, also in Taimali Township; to the east, the Pacific Ocean; and to the west, Jinzhenshan. Facing the Pacific Ocean, the environment is serene, and the old name was "Sapulu" (撒浦路), which was renamed "Rubakate" after the recovery of Taiwan, translated as "Xinxing Tribe" in Mandarin. Before the 39th year of the Republic of China, the Sapulju tribe was within the territorial range of the Rubaka tribe in Taimali Township, designated as a hunting ban area. The tribal members referred to the area as Sapulju, which in the Paiwan language means "lonely, desolate land." The Sapulju tribe is composed of four major tribes and eight families. The four major tribes are "Old Binmao Tribe," "Budong Tribe," "Jinhong Tribe," and "Skado Tribe." The Old Binmao Tribe on the southern Dawan Mountain consists of the "Bafafal Family" and the "Gushacha Family." The Budong Tribe on the northern Dawan Mountain is represented by the "Luofanila Family." The Jinhong Tribe on the southern Dawan Mountain consists of the "Delunafnavek," "Giveluguyang," "Jiujiaas Family," and "Dufeilong Family," totaling four families. The Skado Tribe has the "Skado Family," which together form the eight major heads of the Sapulju tribe. Starting from the entrance of Xinxing Elementary School, there is a series of paintings and stone art on the ground that guides visitors into the world of indigenous culture. Whether it’s the parking shed, walking paths, or restrooms, the walls and doors are adorned with traditional Paiwan totem figures and other artworks, all filled with the essence of Paiwan traditional culture. In the traditional stone house of the village head in Xinxing Village, visitors can admire the wood carvings of amateur artist Ganbi and gain further insight into the beauty of Paiwan traditional culture.
