The Atayal (泰雅), also known as the Tayal and the Tayan, are one tribe of the Taiwanese aborigines. The meaning of Atayal is “genuine person” or “brave man.”

Folklore

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According to stories told by their elders, the first Atayal ancestors were one man and one woman who lived together for a very long time and loved each other very much. But the boy was shy and wouldn't dare approach her. Whereupon, the girl came up with an idea. She left her home and found some coal with which to blacken her face so she could pose as a different girl.

After several days, she crept back into their home and the boy mistook her for another girl and they lived happily ever after. Not long after, the couple bore children, fulfilling their mission of procreating the next generation. The Atayal custom of face tattooing may come from the girl blackening her face in the story. The Atayal custom of facial tattoing requires that girls first learn to be accomplished weavers and cultivators before they may have their faces 'adorned'. Male tattooing is relatively simple, with just two bands down the forehead and chin.

Origins

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In the past, many anthropologists believed the Atayal migrated from Malaysia or Indonesia. Evidence now suggests that they are the descendents of those who crossed over the Taiwan Strait almost 7,000 years ago from regions that are now inside southern China, northern Laos or Vietnam. There are around 3,000 Atayal tribes in Taiwan and 5,000 tribes worldwide. The first record of Atayal inhabitance is found near the upper reaches of the Chosui River. However, during the late 17th century they crossed the Central Mountain Ranges into the wilderness of the east. They then settled in the Liwu river valley. Seventy-nine Atayal villages can be found here.

Lifestyle

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The Atayal Tribe was a fairly advanced culture. They originally lived by fishing, hunting, gathering, and growing crops on burned-off mountain fields. The tribe also practiced crafts such as weaving, net knotting, and woodworking. They also had traditional musical instruments and dances.

The Atayal were known as great warriors. When they defeated an invader, they would remove the head of the enemy to display. (See Headhunting) They were known to be fierce fighters as observed in the case of the Wushe Incident in which the Atayal fought the Japanese.

Traditional dress

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The Atayal were good weavers as well and we can find symbolic patterns and design on Atayal traditional dress. The features are mainly of geometric style, and the colors are bright and dazzling. Most of the designs are argyles and horizontal lines. In Atayal culture, horizontal lines represent the rainbow bride which leads the dead to where the ancestors' spirit live. Argyles, on the other hand, represent ancestors' eyes protecting the Atayal. The favorite color of this culture is red, because it represents “blood” and “power.”

The Atayal tribe was also known for using facial tattooing and teeth filing as rituals of initiation. The practice of tattooing their faces has attracted much attention; in the past a man had to take the head of an enemy, showing his valor as a hunter to protect and provide for his people and the women had to be able to weave cloth to show their coming-of-age and maturity before they could tattoo their faces.

Atayal in modern times

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The Atayal tribe in Taiwan resides in a village along the Nanhsi River called Wulai. Wulai is located inside the Taroko National Park of Taiwan and is roughly forty miles from Taipei. ^*

There are currently around 90,000 members of the Atayal tribe. Many Atayal are bilingual, but the Atayal language still remains in active use.

Famous Atayal people include singing star Landy Wen.

Taiwanese aborigines

タイヤル族 | 泰雅族 | Tayal-cho̍k | Atayal