Lightning Tribe Introduction
The Kaadaadaan tribe is located at the foothills on the western side of the Central Mountain Range, opposite Guanshan Township in Taitung across the Beinan River. This place was formerly known as Leigonghuo, a name that originated from the presence of mud volcanoes that often ignited at night, leading residents to believe that the strange fire was caused by lightning, referred to as "Leigong" in Hokkien, hence the name "Leigonghuo." When visiting the Kaadaadaan tribe, the most noteworthy attraction is Kaadaadaan Elementary School. This mini school has fewer than 40 students, but due to its successful development of locally-based curriculum, it has been awarded the honor of being one of the National Top Ten Classic Characteristic Elementary Schools by the Ministry of Education and one of the Top 100 Characteristic Elementary Schools by Business Weekly. Among the highlights of Kaadaadaan Elementary School are the promotion of bamboo cannon experiences and performances with traditional Amis percussion instruments. The bamboo cannon was originally a tool used by the local Amis people over a century ago to scare off invading Qing soldiers, and it has now become a popular tourist experience; the traditional Amis percussion performances, which are taught by the Taitung Gaken Percussion Band, have also become a key feature of the tribe’s hospitality towards guests. [Source: Tribal Backpackers - Taitung Tourism Guide]
