One year after flood, Matta'an tribe holds Harvest Festival: 'Matta'an has not fallen'

One year after catastrophic dam-induced floods ravaged their lands, the Matta'an tribe in Hualien County, Taiwan, gathered for their annual Ilisin (Harvest Festival). The three-day celebration commenced with a solemn opening ceremony held on farmland still submerged under one to three meters of silt from the previous year's disaster.

During the opening, tribal members observed a minute of silence for those lost in the flood, which claimed 19 lives and left five missing. Lu Zhicheng, the festival's organizing chairman, acknowledged the profound impact of the disaster, which destroyed homes and ancestral lands. He stated, "Dancing is not about forgetting the pain, but believing in hope; singing is not without tears, but believing the singing remains. As long as the culture is here, Matta'an will not fall."

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Dancing is not about forgetting the pain, but believing in hope; singing is not without tears, but believing the singing remains. As long as the culture is here, Matta'an will not fall.

Lu Zhicheng extended heartfelt gratitude to volunteers, referred to as "shovel superheroes," and various charitable organizations for their support during the tribe's most challenging period. He highlighted the unity displayed by the tribe, with elders guiding them through adversity, youth protecting their homes, and women offering mutual comfort. This collective spirit, he noted, was crucial in their ongoing rebuilding efforts.

Despite the lingering devastation, with some areas still buried in mud, the main parts of the Matta'an community have been restored. The festival, featuring traditional attire, tribal flags, and ceremonial dances, symbolized the tribe's resilience and determination to preserve their cultural heritage. Local officials, including the Deputy Minister of the Council of Indigenous Peoples and the Speaker of the County Council, attended the event, affirming their support for the tribe's recovery.

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We sincerely thank all the shovel superheroes and charitable groups who participated. Thank you for accompanying the tribe through the most difficult times. We will always remember your kindness.