Lifestyle The Tayal people have maintained their traditions and cultures for a thousand years. They are traditionally self-sufficient through fishing, hunting, gathering and farming through slash and burn. Responsibilities are allocated based on gender, which male is responsible for hunting, net-knotting; female, on the other hand, takes up the role of weaving. Tayal people also adheres to strict gender roles, with men practicing hunting and women practicing weaving. They also have culturally specific musical instruments and dances. The Atayal were known as skilled warriors. In a practice illegal since the Japanese Colonial Era (1895–1945), for a man to earn his facial
tattoo, he had to bring back at least one human head; these heads, or skulls, were highly honored, given food and drink, and expected to bring good harvests to the fields. (See
Headhunting.) The Atayal are also known for the case of the
Wushe Incident, in which the Atayal participated in an uprising against colonial
Japanese forces. The Lalaw Behuw, a type of long knife, was a weapon used by the Atayals.
Traditional beliefs The concept of Gaga is fundamental to Tayal society. Gaga functioned as a way of living and an unwritten set of rules that governs all aspects of life. Passed down through generations, gaga emphasizes morality, harmony, and mutual respect within the community.
Roles and enforcement • Leader and elders are the custodians of gaga, interpreting and enforcing its principles while ensuring its continuity. Their role is critical, as they provide guidance and serve as mediators in community disputes. • Gaga dictates appropriate behavior in marriage, community interactions, rituals, and even hunting practices. It establishes expectations that promote social harmony and prevent conflicts.
Cultural importance • Adhering to gaga ensures social cohesion and the preservation of Tayal traditions. It fosters a sense of belonging and identity among community members. Violations of these norms could result in ostracism or exclusion from important ceremonies, highlighting its significance in maintaining order. Such consequences serve as deterrent against behaviour that could disrupt social harmony. • The influence of previous generations is also reflected in Tayal naming systems, where a newborn is named after their father, or their mother (if father has died). For instance, the father named "Yukan Dayung" has a kid called "Yumin", the full name of the kid will be "Yumin Yukan". The next generation will take on the first name of their father, so on and so forth. It reflected the significance of seniority in Tayal culture, constantly reminding the future generations through their names.
Traditional beliefs in modern times After the Japanese expulsion of Tayal from the hills, the tribe gradually incorporated modern lifestyle and values into their daily practices. Gender roles have gradually spaced out, diminishing the boundaries between genders. People in the tribe have also taken up roles in the government and academia after receiving education. Education has also provided a medium for Tayal tribe to document their culture and educate future generations more effectively.
Traditional Atayal houses Source: Traditional Tayal houses are rectangular structures, typically built using multiple layers for the roof, including bamboo, bark, stone, wood, and thatch. This multilayered roofing system provides insulation and protection against the elements. With the Tayal population widely distributed across Taiwan, their houses vary in style. One common type is the half-underground house, especially found in Nantou County, Yilan County, and Taichung County. In the Nan'ao community, family houses are built using bamboo, rocks, rattan, and wood. These houses are dug downwards from the base, with half of the structure located below the ground, providing natural insulation. The length of a Nan'ao-style family house is usually the arm span of three adults, while the width is the arm span of two adults. The roofs of Atayal houses in Nan'ao Township are typically made of bamboo and cypress bark as the base, paved with stone slabs, and secured with wooden strips. These houses also feature windows on three sides for ventilation and lighting. However, the windows are usually only half-open to prevent enemy attacks. Additionally, steps leading into the house are flanked by bamboo screens to provide protection against spear attacks.
Interior layout The interior of Tayal houses usually consists of earthen floors, with beds raised on stilts to prevent moisture and pests. In the case of half-underground houses, four beds are placed in the four corners of the room. Two small beds, hanging upside down on the ceiling on the left and right sides, serve as beds for the ancestors' spirits. These ancestral beds also function as storage areas, called "gaga." The storage on the left contains men's hunting tools, while the storage on the right holds women's weaving materials. For cooking and heating, Tayal houses incorporate stoves into the living space. In half-underground houses, there are typically two three-stone stoves, used both for warmth and meal preparation. The layout of these houses follows a distinct division, with separate spaces designated for men and women. This division extends to storage, ensuring that each gender has a designated area for their tools and materials—hunting equipment for men and weaving tools for women.
Gender roles and restrictions Strict gender roles are adhered to within Tayal culture. Men are not permitted to touch women's weaving tools, while women are forbidden from handling men's hunting tools, such as guns and bows. This separation is deeply rooted in cultural beliefs, as each gender has its own designated role within the Tayal household. Crossing these boundaries is believed to bring misfortune.
Community pavilion (Pslyan) In addition to residential structures, the Tayal tribe also constructs community pavilions, known as Pslyan. These structures were initially developed for discussions and negotiations during Japanese colonial rule, with Japanese authorities involved in tribal management. In later times, these pavilions became gathering spaces where tribal elders and community members convene to discuss governance, cultural rituals, and conflict resolution.
Structure and use Community pavilions are situated in open spaces and are typically larger than individual houses, designed to accommodate a large number of people. Featuring a rectangular layout, these pavilions often include a central fire pit for warmth and cooking during gatherings. The open design facilitates air circulation and encourages social interaction. Similar to residential houses, the pavilions are constructed using sustainable materials like bamboo and wood, reflecting the Tayal tribe's deep connection to their environment.
Three-stone stove (hka') in Atayal culture Source: The stability of the three-stone stove is based on the principle of "three points forming a plane," which creates a stable pivot. In contrast, using four or five stones can lead to instability due to the creation of too many surfaces, making it harder to balance the pot. To enhance stability, one end of each stone is slightly buried in the ground, maintaining a height of about 20 to 30 centimeters above the ground. When a pot is placed on this structure and firewood is added, it forms a three-channel pathway for the fire pit. This design ensures both stability and control, allowing for proper airflow and more vigorous combustion.
Endless fire The concept of fire is vital in Atayal culture. The three stones used in the stove should be positioned on two side of the house. Three-stone stove (hka') is a hallmark of indigenous culture. When we see a stove made of four stones in the mountains, it is not representative of the Atayal tradition. For the Atayal people, the act of lighting a fire signifies that someone is home. Fire symbolizes the life of the Atayal community.
Construction and functions The upper part of the house is constructed using wood and bamboo, secured with yellow rattan. The more you burn the yellow rattan, the tighter and stronger it becomes. Fire keep the house dry and warm. Not only serving to cook, but fire also prevent moisture, deter insects, and inhibit material decay for their house. The smoke produced rises and wafts towards the shelves "gaga", where hunting tools, rattan hats, and weapons are stored, keeping them dry. The ancestors of the Atayal people are buried underground below bed, and the fire helps keep them warm. Atayal people believe that the smoke from Three-stone stove (
hka') carries messages to their ancestors, ensuring that ancestors can hear our promise and thus, they will not break their vows.
Hunting Source: Instructed by customs and guidance by elders, Tayal men are trained to hunt since a young age. Common prey included wild boars, Reeves's muntjac, and goats. Historically, headhunting enemies was a common practice in order to protect the tribe, gaining face tattoos and taking revenge. Nature has played a large role in Tayal community; therefore, their indigenous knowledge system is centered around the tribe's respect and feedback and return. As a result, hunters are taught not to overhunt, deforest, and hunt younger animals. Longstanding gender roles also forbid women's participation in hunting or touching men's hunting tools, with the curse of hunters will return empty-handed, facing danger or bad luck during hunting. Hunting knives are unique to each hunter, which will be buried with the hunter when he passes away and shall not be inherited by younger hunters. Group hunting practices should abide by the leader's order, reflecting Tayal hunters' adherence to tradition and respect towards the elders' experience. Possessing the skill of weaving is essential for every woman in the Tayal tribe. Weaving threads are produced from ramie (Kgi), where the plant is shredded, pestle and knitted into smooth threads (Nuka). The threads are then cleaned by broiling. Tapioca roots and Shoulang yams are used for coloring threads to red ochre color. Tayal people loom on the ground with a unique warping frame. The basic structure of the warping frame includes a base and 3 pillars. A weaving box placed on the ground is used for storing wrapped threads for backstrap loom. Geometrical patterns such as diamonds and parallel lines are commonly seen in Tayal woven accessories. The diamond shape symbolizes the eye of ancestors, which symbolizes ancestors' protection and blessings in Tayal's culture. The parallel lines represent a rainbow bridge crossed by spirits of face-tattooed Tayal hunters and weavers in their afterlife to reunite with their ancestors (rutux). Lukkus-kaxa, is a valuable clothing for tribe leaders, warriors and weavers who are able to produce them. They are made by knitting thousands to millions of tiny beads from giant clams (tridacninae) onto garments. As shell beads are precious in Tayal culture, Lukkus-kaxa is an ancient form of currency, a family heirloom, as well as a gift for engagement and compensation in conflicts.
Facial tattoos The Atayal people are also known for using facial tattooing and teeth filing in coming-of-age initiation rituals. The facial
tattoo, in Squliq Tayal, is called
ptasan. In the past both men and women had to show that they had performed a major task associated with adulthood before their faces could be tattooed. For a man, he had to take the head of an enemy, showing his valor as a hunter to protect and provide for his people, while women had to be able to weave cloth. A girl would learn to weave when she was about ten or twelve, and she had to master the skill in order to earn her tattoo. Only those with tattoos could marry, and, should they die, only those with tattoos could cross the
hongu utux, or spirit bridge (the rainbow) to the hereafter.
Eligibility Only those who adhered to strict moral standards, such as abstaining from extramarital or pre-marital sexual relationships, were eligible for facial tattoos. The complexity of the tattoos reflected an individual's abilities—hunters who demonstrated exceptional skill in providing for the tribe and weavers who mastered intricate designs were honored with elaborate tattoos. Male tattooing is relatively simple, with only two bands down the forehead and chin. Once a male came of age he would have his forehead tattooed; after fathering a child, his bottom chin was tattooed. For female, tattooing was done on the cheek, typically from the ears across both cheeks to the lips forming a V shape. While tattooing on a man is relatively quick, on a woman it may take up to ten hours. With the introduction of Christianity, the practice further declined, and tattoos were only seen on the elderly. However, some young people in recent years have attempted to revive the practice. Lawa Piheg died on 14 September 2019.
Rattan and bamboo weaving The Atayal weave bamboo and rattan items such as kiri', qbun, tokan, bluku', and gitu'. These are for women's use when harvesting crops or transporting goods, and have a large capacity. The best bamboo material to use is fresh bamboo from March to April, when the bamboo shoots have just fallen off the bamboo shoots and the leaves have just begun to grow. To make a medium-sized round skip, for example, the bamboo is first cut with a small knife (buli') into about 350 gabions (rruma') about 2 feet 5 inches long, then the gabions are woven horizontally and vertically into a large quadrilateral shape, the edges are trimmed to a rounded shape, and the edges are finally closed with a yellow rattan (qwayux). The qbubu' (rattan hat) is worn by men when they go out to protect their heads, but it also serves as an aesthetic and identity statement. The most common form of the qbubu' is the rimless bowl, occasionally with an attached brim. Hunters covered their hats with animal skins or teeth, and successful headhunters sewed a white circular shell plate called a mayon in the center of the forehead of their hats.
Net-knotting and woodwork Net-knotting and woodwork is another essential skill of Tayal people. Baskets and sieves are knitted from bamboo rattans to carry hunting equipment and harvests, and their size varies by functions. Rattan caps (qbubu') are worn by men during outdoor activities, such as hunting. The strong structure from knitted rattan could protect the head from tree branches. It also serves as a presentation of identity and skills, that hunters would decorate their cap with animals' fur to portray their hunting gains. As daggers and swords shall not be touched by women and is exclusive to the owner himself, they are strictly produced by men. Woodwork is essential to daily life, since Tayal sheaths and furniture are mainly produced from wood.
Bamboo Jew's harp The bamboo Jew's harp (in Atayal language:
lubuw ) is a traditional musical instrument that has been widely used by the Atayal people. It is mostly used for solo performances. It is used by the Atayal people for self-entertainment, communication and for love between men and women. It is suitable for both young and old, but it is generally prohibited during hunting and funerals. The Atayal people can also use the Bamboo Jew's Harp instead of actual language to convey messages, that is, to express the content originally spoken "orally" to the other party through Bamboo Jew's Harp. The Bamboo Jew's Harp is made of a piece of bamboo about 10 cm long as the body of the instrument. There is a long hole in the middle, and a thin tongue-shaped bamboo or copper reed is placed. Holes are drilled at both ends of the body to pass through hemp ropes. When playing, the left hand holds the instrument between the lips; the right hand pulls the hemp rope on the right end, and the sound is produced by vibration. Different tones can be produced by the shape of the mouth, and different scales can be produced by the width and thickness of the reed. == Migration and language ==