Culture

Largest Tao wooden boat built in a century reaches Taipei

by Heritage | August 2, 2007 at 09:52 pm

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The Tao (Yami), an Austronesian (Malayo-Polynesian) tribe, are famous for their boat culture which is the aggregation of physiology, psychology, economy and belief. They hail from Lanyu (Orchid Island), a territory of Taiwan, off Taiwan’s southeast coast.

Currently, thirteen Austroneisan peoples are recognized by the Taiwanese government. They are the Atayal, Saisiyat, Bunun, Tsou, Rukai, Paiwan, Puyuma, Amis, Tao (Yami), Thao, Kavalan and Truku.

The long standing resurgence of aboriginal cultures in Taiwan is partly (perhaps largely) driven by a desire to forge an identity distinct from Mainland China.

The vessel's journey was timed to coincide with the inauguration of the Austronesian Forum which aims to enhance cooperation among Austronesian countries. These nations include the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Kiribati, Nauru, Marshall Islands and Palau.

The boat, Ipanga na (Keep rowing) 1001, "made of 60 planks of wood and measuring 10 meters in length, 1.7 meters in width, 2.7 meters in height, was built by five Tao fishing clans. Construction began last November, and finished in May."

The boat will be put on display outside the National Taiwan Museum in downtown Taipei.

Sources: China Post & Council of Indigenous
Peoples, Taiwan