Focus Taiwan
Date: 2019/09/14
By: Lu Kang-chun, Kuan Jui-pin and Chung Yu-chen

Taipei, Sept. 14 (CNA) Lawa Piheg, the last woman in the Atayal indigenous tribe with their traditional facial tattoos, died Saturday at the age of 97 in Miaoli County, according to local councilor Yuma Baisu.

Lawa was tattooed on her cheek and forehead when she was eight years old, although the custom had already been banned in Taiwan under Japanese rule.

She was featured in the 2018 documentary "The Marks of Honor – Atayal Facial Tattoos," giving the oral history of the tribe's tradition.

"You young people know how to write, (you) must document (the Atayal) culture with words. Don't forget (to do so)," Lawa said during an interview for the documentary, according to Chiang Yi-hsiung (蔣意雄), director of Miaoli County Government's Center for Indigenous Peoples, the unit that implemented the project.    [FULL  STORY]