Tuzang Paiwan Cultural Community Introduction
Located in Daren Township, Taitung County, the Tusaq（土坂）community is primarily inhabited by the Paiwan people, an ethnolinguistic group with a well-defined social hierarchy that includes chieftains, nobles, shamans, priests, gentry, and commoners. The chieftains hold hereditary authority and possess rights over land, hunting grounds, and rivers, while nobles and higher classes enjoy the privileges of elaborate attire and carved door frames. In the Tusaq village, there are two ancestral spirit houses managed by three chieftains, serving as venues for various clans to conduct sacred rituals; they act as mediators between the gods, ancestors, and humans. Rituals and divination by the priesthood are required for events such as warfare, agriculture, ceremonies, healing, and travel, rendering the ancestral spirit houses as leaders of all community affairs. Due to their sacred nature, certain taboos exist regarding the ancestral spirit houses, and any visits or photography must receive prior permission. The Tusaq community retains the traditional flavor of indigenous culture, with an abundance of talented individuals, including indigenous woodcarvers, artists, and cultural workers, as well as traditional chieftain households, which collectively imbue the community with a strong Paiwan atmosphere. Symbols of the Paiwan people, such as the hundred-step snake and Taiwan lily patterns, are prevalent, and many homes can be regarded as ready-made museums. Once referred to as the "Home of the Hairy Crab," the Tusaq community became more united after Typhoon Morakot, leveraging its strengths to craft a unique community character that fosters closer connections with and understanding of Paiwan culture. Additionally, it strives to preserve and pass down the artistic and cultural heritage of the Paiwan people. Visitors to the community can experience Paiwan cultural arts, listen to imaginative myths and legends, explore artifacts such as slate coffins, and investigate local prehistoric cultural and artistic sites. They can also capture the indigenous style of the community through images and purchase unique handicrafts in workshops within the community. This is a cultural journey that deserves an in-depth exploration.
