EVENTS

Hualien County, Taiwan, possesses a rich and diverse cultural landscape, notably home to the Truku and Amis peoples. Guided by ancestral teachings and looking to the “Hakaw Utux” (Rainbow Bridge) as the soul’s final home, the Truku people maintain a profound spiritual bond with their ancestors within the heart of the mountains. Along the coast, the Makota’ay village of the Amis people is renowned for its traditional “Ilisin” (annual) harvest festival, which takes place each July following the summer harvest. The ritual is an important post-harvest celebration—a sacred occasion to offer gratitude to the spirits and the supreme deity, Malataw, while performing rites of purification.

“When Spirits Meet: The Rainbow Bridge and Ocean Chants” brings together the distinct traditions of these two cultures. From the resonant echoes of the mountain forests to the rhythmic pulses of the Pacific tides, the performance unfolds as a vibrant dialogue between the Truku and the Amis through their songs and dances.

Photo and Description credit: George Town Festival website