The Atayal Tribe: Critical Zones

A 4-day field trip took place in Yilan County in northeastern Taiwan, where participants explored indigenous arts, crafts, cuisine, sustainable practices, and educational initiatives designed for the local indigenous youth.

Engaging with one of Taiwan’s largest indigenous groups, this interaction provided deep insights into the Atayal culture and how the community has historically survived alongside the natural environment. During the trip, students learned about and experienced traditional cuisine, storytelling, crafts, flying fishing, and night hunting. They also discussed the tribe’s living history, narratives, and rituals. This excursion offered a unique opportunity to engage directly with an indigenous community and employ the concept of “gaga” to rejuvenate connections and friendships between peoples, as well as to reflect on their roles as custodians of natural and communal ecologies.

As part of the project’s outcomes, deliverables included a short video documentary, a revitalisation report, journaling, and reflections on the relationality of indigenous practices to the students’ own academic disciplines. Participants also conducted focus group interviews and made other valuable contributions to knowledge.