Ye-jin Old Village Introduction
The "Yehu" is referred to as Ivalino by the Tao people, which means saddle vine. According to legend, the ancestor of Yehu was originally from Batan Island in the Philippines. He crossed the sea to Orchid Island with his companions and married a widow. After their marriage, the widow abandoned her two children from a previous relationship and returned to Batan Island with her husband, where she had two sons. Soon after, a famine struck the island, and they had no choice but to move back to Orchid Island with their family. Initially intending to seek refuge with her father, they were rejected and left homeless. The couple and their children wandered without a place to stay and eventually arrived at the southeastern coast of Orchid Island, which at that time was uninhabited, and established the Yehu tribe in the wilderness. Traditional housing in Orchid Island has developed as a way to respond to the hot and windy climate. It is characterized by being semi-subterranean, usually consisting of three parts: the underground main house, a workroom, and a cool terrace. The main house, also known as the "underground house," is built in a pit that is 1 to 2 meters below ground level, providing warmth in winter and coolness in summer, as well as good insulation. This construction has the advantage of sheltering from typhoons, northeast monsoons, and earthquakes, which has made the elderly of the Yehu tribe fond of it and reluctant to convert it into public housing. As a result, this has preserved the traditional architecture, making it the best-preserved tribe with underground houses. When visiting the old tribe, one must pay attention to the fact that there are still elderly residents living in these traditional underground houses. They may be uncomfortable with unsolicited visits and photos. It is best to stay at a guesthouse near Yehu tribe the night before your visit, where members of the Yehu tribe can personally guide you through their underground houses. The strict regulations stem from the clear hierarchy of respect among the Tao people (Yami people), which outlines relationships between elders and juniors. Even local tribespeople will be driven away by the elders if they intrude without permission. Visitors should take note of this and respect the lifestyle of the local residents while traveling! For more information on traveling in Orchid Island, please refer to the travel guidelines.
