Sabouyu Tribe Introduction
The Sapulju tribe is located in Xinhang Village, Jinfu Township, Taitung County. It is an Eastern Paiwan indigenous village surrounded by mountains on three sides and the sea on one side, bordered to the south by the Dawang Tribe in Taimali Township, to the north by the Lubakaz Tribe in Taimali Township, to the east by the Pacific Ocean, and to the west by Jinzhen Mountain. Facing the Pacific Ocean, the environment is serene. Historically known as "SA PU RU," it was renamed "Lubakat" after Taiwan's restoration, and in Mandarin, it translates to "Xinhang Tribe." Before the 39th year of the Republic of China, the Sapulju tribe was part of the Lubaka Tribe territory in Taimali Township, designated as a hunting forbidden area. The tribal people referred to this area as Sapulju, which means "lonely and desolate" in Paiwan language. The Sapulju tribe consists of four major tribes and eight families: the four major tribes are "Jiubinmao Tribe," "Budon Tribe," "Jinhuang Tribe," and "Shikadu Tribe." The Jiubinmao Tribe on South Dawu Mountain is made up of the "Bafafal family" and the "Gushacha family," while the Budon Tribe on North Dawu Mountain consists of the "Luofanney family." The Jinhuang Tribe on South Dawu Mountain includes the "Delunanfanfu family," "Geyilu Guyang family," "Jiujiaasi family," and "Dufeilong family," while the Shikadu Tribe has the "Shikadu family," which collectively form the eight leaders of the Sapulju tribe. Starting from the entrance of Xinhang Elementary School, a series of murals and stone paintings lead visitors into the indigenous world. Whether in the parking lot, on the walkways, or in the restrooms, the walls are adorned with traditional Paiwan totem figures and artworks, richly infused with Paiwan traditional cultural flavor. At the traditional stone house of the village chief in Xinhang Village, one can appreciate the wood carvings of the amateur artist Ganbi and further explore the beauty of Paiwan traditional culture.
