Date : 09/01/2003 - 10/31/2003
Content :
Beyond the promotion of scenic beauties here, promotion of Sun Moon Lake's Thao tribe cultural beauties is the other main goal behind the establishment of the National Scenic Area in January 2000. Thao cultural preservation is paramount. The Thao, now numbering approximately 450 souls, were officially recognized as Taiwan's tenth aboriginal tribe not long ago. One of their most important annual events is the Harvest Festival.
The majority of the tribe's members live in Sun Moon Lake's Dehua Village. Visitors are welcomed to all activities. Tribesfolk are called to the festivities with pestles struck against large stone drums, the sound resonating across the lake's waters, creating quite a ripple. The harvest festival is centered around the night of the perfect moon in the eighth lunar month, meaning much moonlit illumination to intensify the scenes seen. The celebrations go on each night, starting on the first day of the eighth lunar month, and go past the full moon on the fifteenth for an indefinite duration. The celebrations generally go on well into the deep of the night and often until the sun shows up the next day, spirits uplifted with traditional fermented spirits made from glutinous rice and millet.
The Thao still adhere to their traditional sociopolitical system, with a chief as the top leader. Unfortunately, said chief has passed away, and though the tribe will this year still hold their harvest festival the tone will no doubt be more somber than usual. In respect for their deceased leader, it has been decided that festivities will not be jointly held with the other festivities being organized by the Sun Moon Lake tourism authorities. For detail on the itinerary, call the Thao Cultural Development Association at tel. 00-886-49- 285-0351.
Last Update: September 16, 2003
