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‘maaya Seekers of Songs’ Turns Brutal as 21 Contestants Face a 30-Second Survival Battle

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

In-depth Named sources New plan
  • Taiwan Indigenous Television began filming its 2027 music program “maaya Seekers of Songs” in Taoyuan with 21 contestants from different Indigenous communities.
  • Each contestant must perform within 30 seconds before privately choosing the opponent they least want to face, with one contestant eliminated in the first episode.
  • The program aims to give traditional songs new life by combining field research and collection with contemporary musical reinterpretation.

“maaya Seekers of Songs” began with no time for introductions or warm-up. The 21 musicians gathered for the new Taiwan Indigenous Television program first had to survive a 30-second performance challenge, then choose the contestant they most wanted to avoid. One of them would leave in the opening episode.

The contestants come from different Indigenous communities and bring distinct musical styles and cultural stories. They include Xiao Ou, Ou Cheng-yun, the R&B singer and stage performer who won “Young Voice,” and Abiki Tamatisyaw, a Siraya music creator. His appearance carries added significance after the Executive Yuan formally recognized the Siraya as Taiwan’s 17th Indigenous group this year.

Ponay, making his television hosting debut, must guide the 21 contestants through their first meeting while managing the pressure in the studio. The performers have only 30 seconds to show their voices, creative ability and individual character. During breaks, they repeatedly rehearsed their short performances for the first elimination.

Baobu Badulu, Ciywas and Eric Hsu Rui-kai serve as the opening episode’s judges, with Ado Kaliting Pacidal joining as a surprise chief judge. Their perspectives range from songwriting and popular music to field research into Indigenous songs. Baobu also performed “City Hunter” live, while Ciywas performed the Atayal-language song “Longing” and “Tears Broke Down,” which previously served as the ending theme for “Empresses in the Palace.”

Ado said she felt honored to judge the first episode and hoped the young seekers would proudly sing their own songs, helping Indigenous culture continue to be heard. The program’s stated focus goes beyond a singing contest: it follows old songs through searching, understanding, collecting and creating, then reinterprets them through contemporary music.

I hope everyone can proudly sing their own songs, so Indigenous culture can continue to be passed on and carried forward.

· Ado Kaliting PacidalShe described her hopes as the surprise chief judge of the opening episode.
About this summary

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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