Atayal Cultural Festival 'Shared Cups, Shared Gathering' to Feature Traditional Rituals and Crafts

The 115th Atayal Cultural Festival, themed "Shared Cups, Shared Gathering," is set to take place at Wenshui Elementary School in Miaoli County on September 5th and 6th. The event, organized by the Xiangtian Township Office, aims to allow attendees to experience traditional Atayal rituals and tribal craftsmanship. A promotional press conference was held on August 25th, featuring a blessing ceremony by tribal elders and displays of traditional Atayal crafts such as carving, weaving, and the mouth harp.

County Deputy Magistrate Lai Hsiang-ling and Xiangtian Township Chief Chen Chi-chi urged the public to participate and immerse themselves in Atayal culture. Chen Chi-chi explained that the theme "Shared Cups, Shared Gathering" originates from the Atayal tradition of sharing cups, symbolizing a close connection and the spirit of "gathering through culture, becoming family through sharing." The township office has already initiated "Eight Villages Setting Sail," a program connecting tribal members across the eight villages to prelude the main event.

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Gathering through culture, becoming family through sharing.

The festival will commence on the evening of September 5th with the sound of bamboo cannons. Throughout the event, there will be exhibitions of traditional Atayal ceremonies, including rites of passage, ancestral worship, and planting rituals, alongside competitions for traditional skills like log sawing and carrying a bride or firewood. Visitors can also engage in DIY experiences with mouth harps and weaving, and explore a tribal market, offering a deep dive into the cultural charm of Xiangtian's indigenous community.

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The Atayal Cultural Festival promotes the spirit of unity, harmony, and respect for the land.