Chimei Aboriginal Cultural Museum Introduction
Qimei, formerly known as "Jimi" or "Qimi", is derived from the Amis language "Kiwit," which refers to the plant known as sea sago. The villagers fondly call it "Qimei grass," which is the origin of the place name. The winding Xiuguluan River cuts through the Coastal Mountain Range, creating a breathtaking view for this village nestled among the layered hills, allowing for diverse and charming scenery. Qimei is a transliteration of the Amis word Kiwit, which originally refers to a type of sturdy vine used for binding, specifically sea sago; its extended meaning symbolizes the resilience of the tribe's life, akin to that of lianas. According to local historical records, Qimei is the birthplace of Amis culture, boasting a rich cultural heritage. Due to a later process of Sinicization, the village still maintains a strict hierarchical organization, and activities such as the fishing festival and harvest festival warrior dance preserve Amis culture and traditional customs, making it worthy of deeper exploration. Music and dance play a very important role in Amis culture, especially featuring the bamboo percussion instrument Kokag and the Ciopihay dance performed by young men during the harvest festival, which are particularly special. The activities by the Xiuguluan River, such as setting shrimp traps and using triangular nets for fishing, making fire, crafting bamboo bowls and chopsticks, cooking with betel nut leaf pots, and traditional community dishes like glutinous rice and marinated meat, as well as cooking stone hot pot using millet stones by the creek, are all experiences well worth staying for, providing leisurely moments to deeply explore the village!
