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The 7th anniversary of the feast of tribal cuisine, culture, and nature.
The East Longitudinal Valley National Scenic Area Administration, Tourism Administration, the Ministry of Transportation and Communications, (hereinafter referred to as the Valley Administration) has been hosting the East Rift Valley Festival – Taste of Indigenous Cuisines: The Journey to Tribal Villages for the 7th year. This year's festival is themed with "healing." It is hoped that visitors to the tribes can have an in-depth experience in the environment where the tribesmen and nature coexist in harmony. Visitors can use their five senses to welcome in new experiences and find the balance between self and life.
Director Guo Zhen-Ling of the Valley Administration stated that, every year there is a different theme for the festival: "Telling a story with a table of food" in 2018, "Traditional songs and the dining table" in 2019, "Nostalgic tastes in cherished memories" in 2020, "Tribal brews" in 2022, and "Myths and legends" in 2023. The themes continue to wow and impress the visitors, making them keen to return again and again. The different themes also serve as an inspiration for the tribal partners to continue to innovate every year. Grounded in their own culture, the tribes continue to come up with new and creative ideas.
This year's event includes a total of 11 sessions in six tribes. In each session, there is a prayer ceremony that will allow visitors to calm down and prepare their state of mind before entering the tribe. Through an in-depth tribal experience, visitors will ponder upon the close dependence between the tribesmen, nature, and ancestral spirits while listening to their own hearts. Finally, at the carefully arranged tribal dinner, visitors will learn about the touching stories behind each tribal dish. On a clear and cool autumn night, after deeply appreciating the tribal wisdom of coexisting in harmony with all things in the longitudinal valley, you will complete the journey of healing that nurtures your body and mind.
Appreciate the slow pace and beauty of different tribes through cultural tours and meals nurtured by nature.
Participate in the workshop held by the Truku Cyakang Community to get to know about the durability of natural materials and the joy of immersing yourself in handcraft by learning hand-weaving, a skill and culture mastered by Truku women. The tribal dinner, "Tree hole dining table under the moonlight" incorporates the diamond-shaped weaving pattern and color scheme of Truku weaving into the arrangement of the table, allowing visitors to learn about the connection between weaving and tribal life.
The "Red glutinous rice field dining table under the moonlight" organized by Tafalong Community will guide visitors into an in-depth experience of the close relationship between the tribe and the land. Black clay is a precious gift from nature. It can be shaped into pottery and becomes a carrier of tribal culture. Visitors will complete handmade pottery plates together to find the joy in complete focus and using heart and hand as one. Finally, at the grand tribal banquet, taste the delicious and fragrant red glutinous rice nurtured by the tribal lands.
The "Footprints in the rice field dining table under the moonlight" organized by Ceroh Community will begin with learning about the fermentation plants commonly found in connection with the footprints of ancestral spirits. Follow the tribesman to use rice koji (Aspergillus oryzae), glutinous rice, and water to make fermented wine, while listening to tribal singing. At the grand tribal dinner, taste the tribal specialty, Kingtol bamboo shoot and Alida yam, and gain first-hand experience in the rich yet simple tribal life.
"Hunter's wild dining table under the moonlight" organized by Sanungung Community will take visitors into the forest. Follow along the hunting trail, listen to tribal stories along the way, learn about traditional hunting skills, taboos and the Bunun dream divination culture, and enjoy the most authentic hunter experience. The dinner is also infused with hunter culture. In a feast of fire-roasted game meat without excessive seasoning, indulge in the blissful moment of Bunun hunters reuniting with their families after returning home safely.
The Bunun Kamcing Tribe takes the common tribal plant, shell ginger, as the theme throughout this year's "Millet swing dining table under the moonlight." The whole plant of shell ginger is utilizable. In particular, the processed stems can be used in weaving to make practical items such as table mats and cooling straw mats. Participants will follow the trabesmen to learn shell ginger weaving, while cooling off and calming their minds. The completed works will become decorations for the dinner table. At the shell ginger themed banquet, participants will be immersed in the soothing fragrance of shell ginger.
The newly joined Kalokapuk Tribe—led by Bayang, a member of the Hengchun Amis tribe—is hosting the "Harvest barn dining table under the moonlight." Bayang returned to Chishang to start a bistro. Through the relaxed atmosphere and exquisite plating, the food memories from her childhood and the tribal food culture are reinterpreted and shared with the public. With betel leaves—a plant with a unique flavor that plays an important role in ceremonial rituals—as the theme, participants will be guided through making original green pesto to be paired with traditional tribal dishes such as salt-baked fish and wild boar meat. Finally, enjoy the meal in the barn and indulge in the fusion of tradition and innovation with your taste buds.
Guo Zhen-Ling further states that, tickets to the 2024 Taste of Indigenous Cuisines: The Journey to Tribal Villages events can now be purchased on ACCUPASS. The first event will be held at Tafalong Community on October 5, and the finale will be at Kalokapuk Tribe on November 24. All participants of the events this year will receive a "healing gift box" created in collaboration with Taiwan Wild Herb Tea. In addition, various accommodation plans are available for visitors attending this year's events. To find out more about accommodation discounts and the events, add the "縱谷原遊會" official LINE account as a friend, or visit the official website or Facebook page.
