Tuzan Village Introduction
According to historical records, Tuscarora Village is one of the few Paiwan tribes that has never been ruled by the Puyuma, and it is also one of the few villages that still retains the complete traditional five-year祭 (ritual). The Paiwan five-year祭 is said to be a covenant between humans and gods, held once every five years. The last five-year祭 took place in 2008, making it easy to estimate future dates, so those interested should keep an eye out for the rare Tuscarora five-year祭. Tuscarora Village is renowned as the hometown of hairy crabs, and many stone decorations of hairy crabs can be seen on the cliff walls along the roads. Every year in March and April, the hairy crabs are large and delicious, and the local township office holds a hairy crab festival. Visitors during this time can indulge in the freshest and tastiest hairy crabs. The hairy crab festival not only offers fresh hairy crabs but also promotes the spirit of sustainable ecology, since the Paiwan typically only catch hairy crabs of a certain minimum size, releasing the younger ones back into the wild to maintain ecological sustainability. *The hairy crab festival has been temporarily suspended due to crab rehabilitation efforts. While hairy crabs are a specialty of Tuscarora, what truly attracts visitors is the strong Paiwan cultural atmosphere present throughout the village. The walls along the village streets are covered in traditional Paiwan patterns, and many house entrances feature Paiwan wooden carvings. Guided tours by tribal members reveal that the sculptures, buildings, and even every blade of grass and tree within the village tell a story. After visiting Tuscarora Village, you can also take a stroll on the nearby Tuscarora Scenic Bridge. According to the elders of the village, during millet harvests, villagers would gather at the bridge to sing Paiwan songs in gratitude to the heavens. Young couples often met on the bridge to express their feelings for each other, giving the bridge the romantic name "Lover's Bridge." After half a century of weathering, the original bridge built in 1938 became unusable, leading to the construction of a new suspension bridge, which was completed in July 2011. The design of the new bridge incorporates Paiwan totems, with its red body spanning between the lush green hills, making it particularly eye-catching. There are several dining establishments in Tuscarora Village, but accommodation options are limited. It is recommended to go to Jinfeng or Dawu Township for more choices. The Jinfeng area is also known as a famous hot spring area in Taitung, offering many homestays with hot spring services available. 【Source: Tribal Backpackers Feng Taitung】
