The annual event "Austronesian Wedding" organized by the Maolin National Scenic Area Headquarters, Tourism Bureau, Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC), received international awards. The highlight video, "2023 Austronesian Wedding" ( "2023 Indigenous Wedding Celebration 3-Minute Highlight" ), won the gold award at the 2024 Magellan Awards and the bronze award at the 2024 SIA Summit Creative Award in the category of "Travel/Tourism/Nature!"
Organized by the Maolin National Scenic Area Headquarters and three indigenous townships in northern Pingtung (Sandimen Township, Wutai Township, and Majia Township), the “Austronesian Wedding” invites newlyweds to register for a traditional Paiwan and Rukai wedding. Each year, the newlyweds receive heartfelt wishes from their tribal communities, relatives, and friends during this grand celebration, through which participants can learn about the wedding cultures of these two ethnic groups while experiencing the stunning scenery of the three indigenous townships in northern Pingtung. This annual event also attracts a large number of newlyweds and visitors, including those from overseas, to create precious memories for their lives.
This award-winning video captures the wedding held in Sandimen, Pingtung, in 2023. This three-minute short film presents the traditional Paiwan rituals, including pre-wedding visits, marriage negotiations, proposals, engagements, and the wedding ceremony. Through the singing of tribal members, the cheers of the newlyweds' relatives and friends, and the heartfelt gazes exchanged between the couple, the audience can feel the warmth of this wedding, which also showcases the beauty of Taiwan's indigenous culture.
The Director of the Maolin National Scenic Area Headquarters emphasizes that the charm of tribal travel lies in its humanity. Through in-depth promotional activities, we not only enable more international travelers to learn about Taiwan’s ethnic culture but also advance the sustainable development of our cultural conservation and tourism initiatives. How this video stood out among 27 countries participating in the SIA Summit Creative Award and received a gold award demonstrates the world's recognition of the rich cultural heritage of the three indigenous tribes in northern Pingtung.
