Ngati Manu tribe visiting Taiwan on two-week voyage
Taiwan News
Date: 2019/08/15
By: Teng Pei-ju, Taiwan News, Staff Writer
The Halawan tribe of the Amis people from Hualien and the Ngati Manu tribe of New Zealand’s Maori people visit the Executive Yuan on Aug. 14
TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Halawan tribe of the Amis indigenous people in Hualien and the Ngati Manu tribe of New Zealand’s Maori people enlivened the Executive Yuan on Wednesday (August 14) with their traditional music and dances.
Though divided by geological boundaries, the two indigenous groups both speak a language belonging to the Austronesian language family. Likewise, both peoples are the native residents of their respective countries.
The Ngati Manu tribe is visiting Taiwan on a two-week trip to trace their roots on the island, as some researchers believe that the Austronesian language was first developed in Taiwan. Lauding the event as meaningful, Premier Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌) said he is glad to see young people from both countries gaining a greater understanding of one another through interactions.
A member of the Halawan tribe herself, Cabinet spokesperson Kolas Yotaka said the ceremony held in front of Taiwan’s top administrative body was unprecedented. Members of the tribe led by Chief Sawmah performed a ritual that is said to bring good luck to the administration’s operations. [FULL STORY]
