Yukan Sabi - Atayal Peoples - Taiwan

The following are the cultural Essay and Video submitted by Yukan Sabi, a member of the Atayal Peoples of Taiwan. He is a volunteer coordinator for the Indigenous Bridges Youth Ambassador Program (IBYAP). On this page, he has provided these samples for the youth ambassadors to view as an example.

More about the IBYAP Program | More about the 2021 Indigenous Bridges Virtual Conference


Yukan Sabi - Atayal Peoples

Taiwan has been home to a number of Austronesian Indigenous groups since before 4,000 BC, the Atayal peoples being one of them. Atayal peoples are known for using facial tattooing. Those with tattoos could marry, and, after death, only those with tattoos could cross the Spirit Bridge. In the past, both men and women had to show that they had performed a major task associated with responsibility and 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. Atayal people were known as skillful warriors that are fierce, yet prideful.

I’m proud of my Indigenous background. Born in a family that speaks English and lives far from my ancestors' indigenous village made it difficult for me to truly immerse myself in the culture to get to know it. But with the help of my father, I got to go back to our Indigenous village of Wulai every year. I also had weekly Atayal language lessons through Taiwan's education system. When I thought I completely knew my culture, I was shocked when participating in the ATAYAL Organization’s culture exchanges. Representatives from other tribal groups knew dances and stories about their culture, making me feel ashamed that I had nothing as special to share on my culture’s behalf.

The exchanges gave me a chance to reflect on myself and seek more knowledge about my culture, in pursuit of becoming a better representative of my tribe. Being a part of the ATAYAL Organization gave me the opportunity to improve myself and further understand my culture.










Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

2023 Annual Report

Image
  We had the pleasure of introducing the Taloma Youth Group with the Yakan Tribe on Palawan The Year of 2023 was one of our busiest ever, with multiple exchange activities, as well as expanded development of relationships for the Indigenous Bridges Youth Ambassador Program (IBYAP). We also made key strategic decisions for the development of the IBYAP program, including the opening of our Hawai'i office in Maui and adding our Regional Director of Hawai'i, Leiven Hwang. Having three pillars for the program (Washington State/Hawai'i/Taiwan) creates a framework for exchange and cooperation between Austronesian communities, and likewise, we have the ability to introduce the beautiful cultures and timeless wisdom of the Austronesian peoples to American people. This year, we dove into various activities and upgraded our program as well. We made substantial progress with the four pillars of our organization:  Recruiting, Program Development, Partnerships and Fundraising . I. STAFF
Read more

Ambassadors of Austronesian nations sign Letter of Intent with the ATAYAL Organization

Image
From left to right: Gary Smoke, Ambassador Jarden Kephas (Nauru), Ambassador Bikeni Paeniu (Tuvalu), Tony Coolidge On Monday, October 2nd, 2023, a day after the 45th Independence Day of Tuvalu, two Officers of the ATAYAL Organization visited the offices of H.E. The Right Honorable Bikeni Paeniu, Ambassador of Tuvalu. The purpose of the meeting was twofold: to discuss rebuilding efforts of communities in Maui and to discuss participation of Tuvaluan youth in the ATAYAL Organization's Indigenous Bridges Youth Ambassador Program (IBYAP).  Click to view profile of the organization and the IBYAP program The ATAYAL Organization offered a presentation about the Indigenous Bridges Youth Ambassador Program, and discussed its plans form an Austronesian delegation to participate in the program, including the annual Tribal Canoe Journeys in Washington State. The event is the largest Indigenous cultural event that brings together canoe-going groups, currently attracting thousands of participant
Read more

Organization and Program Profile

Image
ORGANIZATION The ATAYAL Organization is a registered American 501(c)(3) non-profit organization (IRS EID: 59-3719572). It was founded in the State of Florida in 2001 with its core mission to preserve Indigenous language and culture through activities that raise public awareness of and appreciation for Indigenous Heritage and Wisdom. The organization is led by a Board and Leadership Team that has a substantial representation by women and minorities, especially from Indigenous peoples. The organization's International Advisory Committee is a Who's Who of leaders in their respective fields all committed to leaving a lasting legacy for future generations. ATAYAL is currently registered in Florida, Washington State, and Hawai'i, with a satellite office in Taipei, Taiwan. As per our Program's name, we are a Bridge, connecting Indigenous peoples and their communities, government bodies, NGO's, and foundations, and bringing them into collaboration for projects aligned with
Read more