Yeh Yin Old Village Introduction
"Ivalino," known as "Wild Silver" in the Tao language, refers to a type of vine called saddle vine. According to legend, the ancestor of Wild Silver was originally from Batan Island in the Philippines. He and his companions crossed the sea to Orchid Island, where he married a widow. After marriage, the widow abandoned her two children and returned to Batan Island with her husband, where she gave birth to two sons. Soon after, a famine occurred on the island, forcing the family to return to Orchid Island once again. Initially intending to seek refuge with her father, they were driven away. The couple and their children, homeless and drifting, had to settle on the southeast coast, which was still uninhabited at the time, and established what is today the Ivalino tribe in the wilderness. The traditional houses in Orchid Island have been developed in response to the hot and windy climate, characterized by a semi-cave structure, which typically includes three parts: an underground main house, a workroom, and a platform. The main house, also known as the "underground house," is built in a pit 1 to 2 meters below ground, making it warm in winter and cool in summer, with excellent insulation. It enables residents to avoid typhoons, northeast monsoons, and earthquakes, which is why the elders of the Ivalino tribe are particularly fond of it and refuse to convert it into a modern residential house, preserving the traditional architecture and making it the most intact underground house tribe. When visiting the old tribe, one must be aware of a certain aspect: traditional underground houses still have elders living in them, who are not very accepting of uninvited visits and unauthorized photography. It is best to stay in a nearby guesthouse the night before your visit and have someone from the Ivalino tribe personally lead the tour of their underground house. These strict limitations are in place because the Tao people maintain a clear distinction of elders and juniors, and even local tribesmen who intrude without permission would be driven away by the elders. This point should be taken seriously; while traveling, please respect the lives of the local residents! For more travel tips regarding Orchid Island.
