FIELDNOTE_0419_NALUWAN_MOLLY

Today's visit started with all of us students going down to the canal that runs parallel to Naluwan to collect shells. I asked everyone to pick as many shells as they could and take them home to clean. The shells were full of mud and had green algae growing on them. This is not very nice to have for next week when we will use them to make wind chimes.

Today I talked to a woman who brought a photo album with her. The album contained pictures from events that have been held over the years. Many events were linked to indigenous traditions. The photos showed happy, dancing people dressed in traditional Amis costumes. Many of the events we talked about were organized by the government. The aim was often to preserve and showcase the traditions that exist in Taiwan.

The first event we talked about was the Fengnian Festival (good year in English). There everyone was wearing the special Amis clothes that are worn during holidays and festivals like this or during weddings.  

She showed a picture of her husband who for 14 years was the leader of the association that was communication with the government. Besides having pleasant events with the government, the association also made sure that there was electricity and water provided for everybody in the community. Later this association was split into 2 organizations where Ivan became the leader of one of them, chosen by the people in Naluwan.

The government also organized events where several Taiwanese tribes were invited to participate. People from Bonong, Paiwan, Taitung and hualian friends, Taiya tribal members took part in the celebrations. The event aimed to demonstrate the dances from different tribes. But it was not only dance events that were held. Even singing competitions were hosted by the government.

The events seem to be big and appreciated events. Something that brings the whole community together and the whole family participates. She showed many pictures of her 4 children, 3 sons and 1 daughter.

She said that today she lives with her second son in Naluwan. He still lives with her because his wife ran away from him with another man.

Ma talked about her husband whom she met in Taitung. they were both Amis but did not live with the tribe. They got married in Taitung but had to move as there were not enough jobs for them there. They decided to move wherever they could get a job. She said it is common for parents to encourage their children to move if it means they can make a better life for themselves. So she and her husband ended up in Hsinchu. There, she started her own business by going around selling betel nuts to construction workers on job sites. That way, one day she met people living in Naluwan. As Ma was also a friend, she was invited to meet Tomo. Since there was one empty house on the street at that time because the owner had just died, she and her family were given the opportunity to move in.

She said that in recent years there have not been as many people moving to and joining Naluwan. This is because they have plans to rebuild Naluwan.

Ma said that there is no written language for their own language. Thus, there are no written stories saved and everything is passed on orally. But in her generation, it was still common for girls and women to not know how to read. She started working as a babysitter for younger children in the area where she grew up when she was 7 years old. Her father had told her that it was not necessary for her to study. She would find a man who could provide for her accommodation and family. She only learned to read 5 years ago.