Alangyi Ancient Trail introduction
Alangyi Ancient Trail introduction
By Kuan Yu Chou,
Department of Cultural Resources and Leisure Studies
Taitung County and Suehigh, Mudan Township in Pingtung County. This trail
is also part of the Lang Qiao Puyuma trail and has witnessed the migration of
thousands of Taiwan native peoples.
It is well known for the most astonishing shoreline. I finally had an opportunity
to visit it.
Cacevakan Prehistoric Site Trail
From the very first day, we arrived at the mysterious slate house. Legend has
it that it was once the residence of a noble family of the Paiwan tribe. One day, all
of a sudden, all clansmen disappeared for no reason. Some well-respected elders
said: Once upon the time, Paiwan Kingdom livedhappily together. However,
they were seriously threaten by a kind of terrifying birds, which could grew up to 300 centimeter tall.
it that it was once the residence of a noble family of the Paiwan tribe. One day, all
of a sudden, all clansmen disappeared for no reason. Some well-respected elders
said: Once upon the time, Paiwan Kingdom livedhappily together. However,
they were seriously threaten by a kind of terrifying birds, which could grew up to 300 centimeter tall.
One day, a Paiwan princess was at home by herself, and she wanted to
play with her friends. It happened that one of the birds was too hungry so it kidnapped
this Paiwan′s princess. Upon finding that she was a princess, the bird let her
go. Nevertheless, the princess was hurt and later on died from serious bleeding. From
that tragic day, there were many death among the villagers, and people said it had since
become a cursed place.
According to science, we can infer that there was probably once an outburst of infectious
disease. However, it is still a forbidden zone for the local people.Before entering the old
village site, we were required to perform some rituals. Firstly, we had to inform
the ancestors that we were here by igniting pieces of dry hay and offering betel
nuts and millet wine.
Next, the tour guide would drink a whole bottle of rice wine in one gulp to
show respect. We kept walking to a grassy place, and then tour guide said
″It is here″. No one stayed here for a long time, and the precious slat house
was deserted. Nonetheless, the tour guide told the other mystery about the
burial. Indigenous people would bury their family member′s bodies in the
center of the house, but descendants found no one.
The guide also introduced us to the housing structure, for example, where
the chief′s room, princess′s room, the granary, etc. were. While hearing all
these legends, it was like I was there. I could use my imagination.
Paiwan customs
There are some interesting Paiwan customs. For example, they practice
″real″ gender equality. The eldest children, even female, may inherit the
family′s properties. Secondly, Betel nuts are the most important ritual gift
for aboriginal peoples, they cannot get married without a betel nut.
These agricultural products do not only represent their culture, but also
their lifestyle and customs. However, some Taiwanese people nowadays
still think chewing betel nuts represented unsanitary behavior, and it is an
insult to their culture. This sort of discrimination could be a big issue and
needs to be thought about deeply.
″real″ gender equality. The eldest children, even female, may inherit the
family′s properties. Secondly, Betel nuts are the most important ritual gift
for aboriginal peoples, they cannot get married without a betel nut.
These agricultural products do not only represent their culture, but also
their lifestyle and customs. However, some Taiwanese people nowadays
still think chewing betel nuts represented unsanitary behavior, and it is an
insult to their culture. This sort of discrimination could be a big issue and
needs to be thought about deeply.
Although it is inconvenient to get transport to their historical site, we still
visited them. Only through good preservation and teaching mythology to
our children can keep their culture forever.
visited them. Only through good preservation and teaching mythology to
our children can keep their culture forever.
Alangyi Ancient Trail
The next day, without waiting for dawn we headed to Alangyi Ancient Trail.
With an expectant mind and afraid of getting hurt, we got started. As soon
as we began, we saw an endless coastline and vast ocean. We crossed the
gravel beach which was full of enormous cobblestones. It made it difficult
to walk. Instead of thinking about the difficult situation, we focused on the
healing sound of the waves slapping against the stones.
Then one of the other paths we faced was weed-covered; we needed to
catch up with each other so that we would not get lost. Here came the
biggest challenge!
With an expectant mind and afraid of getting hurt, we got started. As soon
as we began, we saw an endless coastline and vast ocean. We crossed the
gravel beach which was full of enormous cobblestones. It made it difficult
to walk. Instead of thinking about the difficult situation, we focused on the
healing sound of the waves slapping against the stones.
Then one of the other paths we faced was weed-covered; we needed to
catch up with each other so that we would not get lost. Here came the
biggest challenge!
There is a forty-five- degree uphill slopes with no steps, therefore we had
to climb up with the help of a thin rope. We climbed with butterflies in our
stomachs, until we reached the summit. I finally realized why people always
say that this is the most beautiful coastline in Taiwan!
to climb up with the help of a thin rope. We climbed with butterflies in our
stomachs, until we reached the summit. I finally realized why people always
say that this is the most beautiful coastline in Taiwan!
Indigenous people′s issues
When we had a break, an indigenous guide shared an impressive story
which totally affected my beliefs. When Highway 26 was being planned,
environmentalists advocated the safeguard of the ecological corridor.
If this highway is constructed, it may cause the extinction of some of
the local species.
which totally affected my beliefs. When Highway 26 was being planned,
environmentalists advocated the safeguard of the ecological corridor.
If this highway is constructed, it may cause the extinction of some of
the local species.
The geological coast from Jailesheui to Nan Tien retains more than 10
million years of ancient geographical landscape. This is the only place
that in Taiwan which is seen as a geological world heritage site.
million years of ancient geographical landscape. This is the only place
that in Taiwan which is seen as a geological world heritage site.
On the other hand, local people are deeply influenced by the inconvenient
road condition. If they have an emergency, the hospital is too far from
them. After this place became Nature Reservation, they were forced to
leave their′s original accommodation, so they had no land by which
they could earn money.
Travelers will not stay for longer period of time to purchase things, they,
instead, only leave garbage around.The most
heartbreaking thing is ″No one listens to the locals″. They argued against
the government and the environmentist several times but were ignored, and
were accused of damaging the environment. It sounds like nonsense,
but it′s true.
road condition. If they have an emergency, the hospital is too far from
them. After this place became Nature Reservation, they were forced to
leave their′s original accommodation, so they had no land by which
they could earn money.
Travelers will not stay for longer period of time to purchase things, they,
instead, only leave garbage around.The most
heartbreaking thing is ″No one listens to the locals″. They argued against
the government and the environmentist several times but were ignored, and
were accused of damaging the environment. It sounds like nonsense,
but it′s true.
Conclusion
Something comes to my mind after finishing the five-hour journey.
I found that we understand a place not only by guide-narrators, but
also by giving oneself a chance to interact with the environment.
The second thing is that there′s always a dilemma between environment
and development. Being a city child my whole life, these two-day
experience is really shocking. I have heard about lots of issues, for
example, culture heritage, land identity, governmental exploitation,
land grabbing by the government etc. When it really happened in daily
life, I want to help them. Although I am not an aboriginal person, I can
still respect, and understanding their culture.
I found that we understand a place not only by guide-narrators, but
also by giving oneself a chance to interact with the environment.
The second thing is that there′s always a dilemma between environment
and development. Being a city child my whole life, these two-day
experience is really shocking. I have heard about lots of issues, for
example, culture heritage, land identity, governmental exploitation,
land grabbing by the government etc. When it really happened in daily
life, I want to help them. Although I am not an aboriginal person, I can
still respect, and understanding their culture.
Alangyi Ancient Trail is not only a path but an aboriginal hunting path, Western scholars' adventure record, pioneer ancestors road, Qing soldiers
march path. After immersing myself in it, I understand their history, humanities,
and culture. I learned a lot from this trip. It was a memorable one.
留言
張貼留言