Bunun people's land wisdom featured in international English edition of 'Entering Pisanglavan'

Taiwan's indigenous Bunun people's deep connection to their land and traditional farming practices are gaining international recognition with the release of the English version of the book "Entering Pisanglavan." The publication, a collaboration between the Cisin Organic Agriculture Development Foundation and the Bunun community in Zhuoqing Village, Hualien County, aims to share the Bunun's accumulated wisdom on agriculture, ecology, and culture with a global audience.

The book, whose title translates to "family garden" in the Bunun language, chronicles the life experiences of Bunun elder women as they cultivate their home gardens. Through their personal stories and interactions with crops, the book highlights their expertise in preserving traditional seeds, practicing natural farming methods, and maintaining biodiversity. It also emphasizes the crucial role of local seed savers within the community.

Su Murong, CEO of the Cisin Foundation, stated that Taiwan's indigenous cultures and land wisdom are as valuable to the world as its technology sector. The English version of "Entering Pisanglavan" is expected to bridge language barriers, allowing Bunun ecological knowledge and cultural memories to foster deeper dialogue with international societies.

The foundation's involvement with the Zhuoxi area's Nan'an Bunun community began 12 years ago, initially focusing on promoting organic rice cultivation. During this long-term engagement, they discovered the rich heritage of traditional Bunun beans and local germplasm preserved in the elder women's home gardens, alongside their nature-aligned farming wisdom. This discovery led to the extensive documentation and recording that culminated in the book's publication.

To ensure the continuation of this valuable knowledge, the Cisin Foundation, with support from the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency's Hualien Forest District Office, established the "Bunun Bean Class." This program, launched in 2022, trains young tribal members to learn farming, ecological, and local knowledge from their elders. They then revitalize this culture through hands-on activities like communal farming, shared meals, and traditional crafts. The foundation also collaborates with local elementary schools on agricultural education, creating small garden plots where elders and youth guide students in learning about traditional crops and farming culture, fostering a grassroots seed-saving movement.

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Besides the technology industry, Taiwan's precious indigenous culture and land wisdom are equally worthy of the world's attention.