Ye Yin Old Village Introduction
"Yeyin," known as Ivalino by the Tao tribe, refers to the saddle vine. It is said that the ancestors of Yeyin were originally from Batan Island in the Philippines. They crossed the sea to Orchid Island and married a widow there. After getting married, the widow abandoned her two biological children and returned with her husband to Batan Island, where she gave birth to two sons. Soon afterward, a famine struck the island, and out of necessity, they moved back to Orchid Island once again. Initially hoping to rely on her father’s family, they were instead driven away by her father. The couple, with their children, wandered without a home and went to the southeastern coast, which was uninhabited at the time, where they established what is now the Yeyin tribe in the wilderness. Traditional housing in Orchid Island has developed as a response to the hot and windy climate, characterized as semi-subterranean. Generally, it includes three parts: an underground main house, a workroom, and a veranda. The main house, also known as the "underground house," is constructed in a pit that is 1 to 2 meters below the ground, providing warmth in winter and coolness in summer, with great insulation. This design also offers protection from typhoons, northeast monsoons, and earthquakes, making it beloved by the elderly of the Yeyin tribe, who are reluctant to convert it into public housing. As a result, this has allowed traditional architecture to be preserved, making it the most well-preserved underground house tribe. While visiting the old village, it is important to note that there are still elderly residents living in these traditional underground houses, who may not accept unauthorized visits and photography. It is best to stay overnight at a nearby guesthouse before your visit, where locals from the Yeyin tribe can personally guide you through their homes' underground houses. Such strict limitations are in place because the Tao people (also known as the Yami people) have a clear moral hierarchy in their family dynamics, and even among locals, entering without permission can lead to being chased away by the elders. Therefore, it is crucial to be respectful of the residents' way of life while traveling! More travel tips for Orchid Island.
