Taitung Travel

Maljeveq (Five-Year Ceremony) is also known as Bamboo Pole Ceremony. It is the most important Paiwan ceremony to greet with ancestral spirits. It is held every five years and now only Tuban Village of Daren Township,Taitung County and Kunaljau (Kulou Villa ge) of Laiyi Township,Pingtong County,still practice such tradition. The Bamboo Pole Ceremony at Tuban Village is the best preserved. The latest one was held in October 2008. Bamboo Pole Ceremony consists of pre-ceremony,ball-stabbing ceremony (Djiemuijat) and sending-off ceremony. The ball-stabbing game in Bamboo Pole Ceremony is the highlight. It symbolizes both unity against enemies and blessing. Parakaljai (priest) tosses vine balls of various meanings into the sky and all youngsters in the tribe would stab the balls with 8-meter-long bamboo poles. The first one to successfully stab a ball is considered a lucky omen. Once the ball-stabbing ceremony finishes,a sending-off ceremony follows as a farewell to the ancestral spirits,who are now ready to return to their world. The ceremony is ended with dancing and singing.

Paiwan society has rigid social tiers and the chieftain is inherited from generation to generation. Traditionally,all properties on the ground belong to the chieftain. Among all Paiwan tribes in Daren Township,the Tuban has the longest history. The tribe has 3 chieftains and each set an ancestral spirits house next to their residence. It is a sacred place where families make their offerings. Inside are precious historical objects,documentations and collections. A famous Tuban Hot Spring is located in the Tuban Village. But due to the severe typhoon damage,it wa s ruined by mudslide and was deserted. The hot spring area is awaiting reconstruction efforts by the township office before the gorgeous views can be restored.

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