Jianhe Community (Shema Village) Introduction
Jianhe is located in the southwest of Taitung City, at the edge of the Taitung alluvial plain's fan top, with mountains behind and the sea in front. The area consists of six settlements, which are, from north to south: Shangjianhe (Jianshang Road), Jianfeng, Jiandong (formerly Teng), Yuchi, Xinshe (Xiajianhe), and Minsheng. Among these six settlements, Xinshe is the largest, most populated, and most concentrated, so it is commonly referred to as Jianhe. The majority of the residents are from the Puyuma tribe, with others being early immigrants from the western regions. The local economy is not well-developed, and there is a phenomenon of population outflow, with a low percentage of young adults. Since 1998, the Council for Cultural Affairs has subsidized the Jianhe community with NT$3 million under the "Revitalization of Local Traditional Industries Program" to establish the "Jianhe Woodcarving Art Village." Guided by Hagu (Chinese name: Chen Wensheng), a chief of a well-known indigenous carving artist, the residents of Jianhe have developed a solid foundation in wood carving and abundant creative inspiration. As a result, wood carvings and panel sculptures can be found at every street corner and on the walls of every household within the community. This has given Jianhe a distinct indigenous style and created a unique artistic display space, allowing the skills of wood carving and the Puyuma traditional culture to be passed down for generations.
