CSS International Programs Cultural Trip Wulai’s Atayal Tribe Culture Experience
Date :
2021-12-15
Department :
College of Social Sciences
Taipei, TW: On Saturday, December 4th, 2021, NCCU College of Social Science’s international students from the IDAS, IMAS, IMES, and ETP programs ventured high into the mountains of Wulai to experience the local Atayal Aboriginal Tribe culture.
We arrived in Wulai around 9:50 a.m., where Prof. Meilu-Basan (美露．巴桑), of the Atayal Tribe, met us. We then drove further up the mountain and did a small hike to the Wulai Peak 181 recreation farm 山頂上杉林步道園區. Upon arrival, a welcome prayer was sung to ensure that we all had a good day. We were treated to hot tea, to warm up, and then taught to sing a song in the Atayal language. Our hosts were very upbeat and welcoming, making us all feel at home and part of their family.
After singing, we were taught how to make Bamboo rice and allowed to each make our own. We were taught that it is important to use young bamboo, because it is stronger and has a better flavor. While many variations of bamboo rice with little shrimp, fish, pork, or herbs and spices, can be made, we made a simply version with sticky rice and millet.
We were invited to try Atayal Millet Wine, and started a DIY weaving activity. While the activity required attention to detail, it was quite easy and we each had a memento to take home with us.
We then went to the smoke house to learn about how meat and fish were traditionally preserved without the use of refrigerators. While we were learning about the smoke house, freshly made wild boar sausages were placed around the open fire to cook. The freshness of the meat could be tasted and thoroughly enjoyed.
In preparation for our visit the tribe had gone hunting and we were treated to an amazing Atayal lunch consisting of mountain vegetables, fresh wild boar, mountain sheep, local venison, and fish.
After lunch we broke-up into groups, where we rotated between different activity stations. The stations included: archery, trap making, and barbequing wild boar. While it was cold on the mountain, we were able to stay warm either in the smoke house or by drinking tea or millet wine.
The final activity of the day was making mochi from scratch. Students were invited to show their strength and endurance while pounding the mochi with a large wooden mortar and pestle.
Before we left, the Atayal singer Amui Sa Uru (阿穆依．穌路), who is famous for singing The Soul of Seediq Bale from the Taiwanese movie Seediq Bale, treated us to a live performance of the song. It was truly beautiful and touching.
The trip was an amazing experience and something that will stay in our memories forever.
For more information about joining our global family please visit the OIC office page https://oic.nccu.edu.tw/.
Registration will open in early 2022. Don’t miss out on the adventure of a lifetime.
We arrived in Wulai around 9:50 a.m., where Prof. Meilu-Basan (美露．巴桑), of the Atayal Tribe, met us. We then drove further up the mountain and did a small hike to the Wulai Peak 181 recreation farm 山頂上杉林步道園區. Upon arrival, a welcome prayer was sung to ensure that we all had a good day. We were treated to hot tea, to warm up, and then taught to sing a song in the Atayal language. Our hosts were very upbeat and welcoming, making us all feel at home and part of their family.
After singing, we were taught how to make Bamboo rice and allowed to each make our own. We were taught that it is important to use young bamboo, because it is stronger and has a better flavor. While many variations of bamboo rice with little shrimp, fish, pork, or herbs and spices, can be made, we made a simply version with sticky rice and millet.
We were invited to try Atayal Millet Wine, and started a DIY weaving activity. While the activity required attention to detail, it was quite easy and we each had a memento to take home with us.
We then went to the smoke house to learn about how meat and fish were traditionally preserved without the use of refrigerators. While we were learning about the smoke house, freshly made wild boar sausages were placed around the open fire to cook. The freshness of the meat could be tasted and thoroughly enjoyed.
In preparation for our visit the tribe had gone hunting and we were treated to an amazing Atayal lunch consisting of mountain vegetables, fresh wild boar, mountain sheep, local venison, and fish.
After lunch we broke-up into groups, where we rotated between different activity stations. The stations included: archery, trap making, and barbequing wild boar. While it was cold on the mountain, we were able to stay warm either in the smoke house or by drinking tea or millet wine.
The final activity of the day was making mochi from scratch. Students were invited to show their strength and endurance while pounding the mochi with a large wooden mortar and pestle.
Before we left, the Atayal singer Amui Sa Uru (阿穆依．穌路), who is famous for singing The Soul of Seediq Bale from the Taiwanese movie Seediq Bale, treated us to a live performance of the song. It was truly beautiful and touching.
The trip was an amazing experience and something that will stay in our memories forever.
For more information about joining our global family please visit the OIC office page https://oic.nccu.edu.tw/.
Registration will open in early 2022. Don’t miss out on the adventure of a lifetime.