Tuzan Paiwan Cultural Community Introduction
Located in Daren Township, Taitung County, the Tuhsang Village is primarily inhabited by the Paiwan people. The Paiwan tribe is a hierarchical society divided into five classes: chief, nobility, shamans and priests, gentry, and commoners. The chieftain is hereditary, possessing land, hunting grounds, and rivers; those in the nobility and above have the right to wear exquisite clothing and have intricately carved door lintels. In Tuhsang Village, there are two ancestral houses managed by three chiefs, which serve as places for various clans to perform rituals and prayers. They are also the medium between the gods, ancestral spirits, and humans. Whether for war, agriculture, ceremonies, medical treatments, or outings, rituals and divinations performed by the priesthood are necessary, making the ancestral houses the guiding force for all clan affairs. As the ancestral houses are sacred places within the village, there are certain taboos; permission must be obtained before visiting or taking photos. Tuhsang Village retains the flavor of a traditional indigenous community, with many talents, including indigenous woodcarvers, artists, cultural workers, and traditional chief residences, creating an atmosphere rich in Paiwan tradition. Patterns symbolizing the Paiwan's hundred-paced snake and the Taiwan lily can be seen everywhere, and many households resemble ready-made museums. This community, once known as the "Hometown of Hairy Crabs," found its ties strengthened after being struck by Typhoon Morakot. The community has leveraged its unique advantages and crafted distinctive characteristics, allowing the public to get closer to and understand Paiwan culture, and to preserve and pass on Paiwan art and culture intact. Within the community, one can experience Paiwan cultural arts, hear rich legendary myths, explore excavated artifacts like stone coffins, and investigate local prehistoric cultural art sites. Photography can capture the indigenous style of the village, and unique Paiwan handicrafts can be purchased at the local workshops, making it a worthwhile and in-depth cultural and artistic journey.
