Objectives
1. Making an artistic life: Wulai District is the only indigenous area in Metropolitan Taipei. In addition to beautiful mountains and abundant natural resources, the rich Atayal culture of the indigenous people is the only cultural resource in New Taipei City. The aims of this project are to provide space and a stage for local artists and people in Wulai to demonstrate their creativity through the arrangements of the 4-season cultural activities. It is also to increase opportunities for Wulia people to participate in various art exhibitions, performances and activities so as to foster the participation of people in art and create a quality cultural environment in Wulai.
2. Local people's participation: Participation of Wulai communities, schools, clubs, industries and art and culture workers are combined to demonstrate the cultural charms of Wulai and build various artistic allures in order to create an expected event unique to Atayal Tribe. Also, with this annual local event, a collected memory is created for Wulai people so that they will further recognize Wulai and be proud of it.
3. Sustainable culture development: Cultural activities that demonstrate the abundant and diverse Atayal culture are promoted to market Wulai features. By promoting various art exhibitions and performances, the habit of art appreciation is nurtured in people to improve the living quality of Wulai people.
4. To highlight features of Wulai as a whole as well as features of each village: Creating and highlighting features of various Wulai villages and tribes, such as the countryside leisure tribe with a developed vanilla industry in Zhongzhi Village ; hot springs, cherry blossoms and visitors filled in Wulai Village ; Naxiao Club traditional cultural industry, ecological resources of fireflies, insects, frogs and birds as well as surreal scenery filled with clouds and fogs in Xinxian Village; the green ecological area with the most representative Atayal traditional characteristics found in Fushan Village; Xiaoyi Village is one of the 10 bird watch areas in Taiwan, is the only tribe that the Han people still inhabit in now and still keeps the forest community from the early days. With the goal of "One Feature for One Village", the festival is enriched and more diverse.
Introduction
Atayal tribe has rich and diverse culture that manifests in different aspects of life. In recent years, in addition to the prosperously developed weaving workshops, the traditional Atayal carvings and totems can be seen everywhere. There are rituals held in different seasons, including the open ground ritual, sowing ritual, harvest ritual, and Zuling (Ancestors)Ritual. Among these rituals, the Zuling Ritual held in every July is the most representative one. The Zuling belief is the major Atayal belief. In the ritual, Atayal people will thank Zuling for the year-long protection and will also pray to Zuling for protecting Atayal people as well as harvesting in the following year. The date for Zuling Ritual this year is scheduled to be held on the day of Atayal Tribe's calendrical rites (Thanksgiving) which is the last Friday of every August. In addition to traditional rituals, a series of performances and art activities will be held. It is the perfect timing for experiencing the Atayal allures in Wulai.
The "2011 Wulai Atayal Cultural Festival - The Gratitude Season" originally scheduled to be held on August 26 in 2011 in Wulai will be postponed. We apologize for any incontinence. For further details, please contact Wulai Township Office, New Taipei City at (02)2661-6442, ext153
About the Activity
1. Experience the traditional culture: experience how to make salted fish, cut ramie, make millet wine, use mortar and pestle, and get Atayal face tattoo.
2. Traditional competition (participated by Wulai people in groups): competitions include chopping off woods, archery, carrying brides, husking rice with a pestle and mortar.
3. Food Feast.
4. Opening Ceremony Performance.
5. Atayal Song and Dance Competition (participated by Wulai people in groups): traditional Atayal song competition, Atayal Dance Competition.
Local Highlights
< Wulai Atayal Tribal Museum> It is the first County-level museum and art space in Wulai, shouldering the responsibilities of cultural and art development of the entire township. The Wulai Atayal Tribal Museum is operated in the form of a living museum. In addition to exhibiting traditional Atayal history and culture and living artifacts, it also displays the natural ecology and cultural resources of the entire Wulai area. People in the community are encouraged to participate and work with the tribes to promote tourism development of indigenous culture.
< Wulai Elementary School Artifacts Display Room> It collects and displays various tools, clothing, etc used by Atayal, Paiwan, Tao tribes in their daily lives. With the aids of visual and audio effects and dynamic and sedentary teaching process and learning, students and the public can further understand the cultural values exhibited by these artifacts. The goals of promotion and preservation of local history can be achieved.
< Sculpture Park and Butterfly Park in Fushan Elementary School> Fushan Elementary School offers Sculpture Park, Butterfly Park and Holiday Teaching Featuring Atayal culture and is chosen as one of the special feature schools by the Ministry of Education . The weekend school - GAGA of Fushan Elementary School is run by people outside of school. GAGA means Atayal culture and their way of life. During the 1-day or 2-day experience camp, participants will experience how to be an Atayal which includes learning face tatoo, tasting traditional food and exploring the forest.
