Tusah Aboriginal Cultural Community Introduction
Located in Taitung County's Daren Township, the Tuhsien Tribe is primarily inhabited by the Paiwan people, a group with a distinct social hierarchy divided into five classes: chieftains, nobility, shamans and priests, gentry, and commoners. Chieftains are hereditary leaders who possess land, hunting grounds, and rivers; those of noble class and above have the rights to ornate clothing and carved door lintels. In the Tuhsien village, there are two ancestral spirit houses, each managed by three chieftains, where various clans conduct their rituals and prayers. These houses serve as mediators between the gods, ancestors, and people, and rituals related to warfare, agriculture, festivities, healing, and excursions must be performed by the priestly group with divination, making the ancestral spirit houses the leaders of all affairs in the tribe. Given that the ancestral spirit house is a sacred site, there are some taboos, and visitors must obtain permission before touring or taking photos. The Tuhsien Tribe still retains the flavor of a traditional Indigenous community, rich with talents including Indigenous woodcarvers, artists, cultural workers, and traditional chieftain residences, contributing to an immersive atmosphere of Paiwan culture. Symbols of the Paiwan's hundred-step snake and Taiwan lily patterns are ubiquitous, and many households resemble living museums. Once called the "Homeland of Hairy Crabs," the Tuhsien community grew even closer after the devastation of Typhoon Morakot. Utilizing their advantageous conditions, the community has thoughtfully highlighted its unique features to help the public get closer to and understand Paiwan culture, ensuring the preservation and transmission of Paiwan art and humanities. Within the community, one can experience Paiwan cultural arts, listen to imaginative myths and legends, explore unearthed artifacts such as slate coffins, and visit local prehistoric cultural art sites. The Indigenous styles within the tribe can be documented on film, and one can also purchase unique Paiwan crafts in the community workshops, making it a destination worth deeply exploring for cultural and artistic journeys.
