Pingtung County Indigenous Peoples' Day concert touches hearts with tribal songs

Pingtung County celebrated Indigenous Peoples' Day with a vibrant concert, "Singing Our Own Songs," at the Pingtung Performing Arts Center. The event showcased the rich cultural heritage of the indigenous communities through traditional tribal songs and performances by children and youth.

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Seeing the children take the stage and sing the songs of their tribes deeply moved me.

Six award-winning indigenous children's choirs from various elementary schools in Pingtung County took to the stage, sharing stories of their people, cultural memories, and connection to the land through their heartfelt singing. The grand finale, a collective chorus, brought the audience to its feet, celebrating the vitality of indigenous culture.

County Magistrate Chou Chun-mi expressed her deep emotion, noting that this was the third year the county had organized the concert and the second year for the indigenous children's choir competition. She emphasized that Indigenous Peoples' Day is not only a political recognition but also a profound cultural affirmation, with Pingtung County continuously promoting indigenous culture through various activities.

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Indigenous Peoples' Day is not only a political emphasis on indigenous peoples but also a deep cultural identity.

The concert also featured the TBT Taiwu Ancient Ballads Association, founded by the late musician Chamak Farawule. This group, originating from Taiwu Elementary School, is dedicated to preserving and promoting Paiwan ancient ballads. Their performance, alongside local schools and youth teams, aimed to inspire younger generations to continue singing in their native languages, ensuring the cultural legacy is passed down through song.

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We hope that through the concert, more people can step into indigenous culture and listen to indigenous songs, understanding the cultural spirit contained within the singing.