In Nantou County, the home of the Seediq people, traditional songs and music and improvisational art are only performed by some elders who pass on their history orally. In the past, those who were capable of leading the people to sing passed on their skills from one generation to the next. Nowadays,...Read more
In Nantou County, the home of the Seediq people, traditional songs and music and improvisational art are only performed by some elders who pass on their history orally. In the past, those who were capable of leading the people to sing passed on their skills from one generation to the next. Nowadays, many young people have left the tribe, losing their cultural identity, and so it is hard to pass on skills and traditions in a conventional manner; the traditional culture now appears to be dying out.
To preserve this precious cultural legacy with the strong support of tribal elders, Seediq Traditional and Cultural Arts Troupe was formed. Its members are mainly tribal people of the Nan-shan-xi Tribe, the oldest tribe of those who speak Tgtaya. To counter the rapid downfall of Seediq traditional culture, Obin Nawi, the only surviving elder, is the guiding spirit for the young generation to sing the ancient folk songs passed on by their ancestors in order to preserve the songs and carry on the mission of passing on the culture.
The traditional culture of Seediq reflects in their weaving, religious festivals, and facial tattooing. In addition, “uyas kmeki,” an improvisational antiphonal singing style, can be found in their traditional music. In the past, “uyas kemeki,” accompanied by dancing, was an essential part in the agricultural affairs, head-hunting, and hunting ceremonies of the traditional life of the Seediq.
Category | Music |
Type | Indigenous Music |
Chinese Title | 賽德克傳統文化影像紀實 |
Group | Seediq’s Traditional Culture and Arts Troupe |
Creative staff | Seediq’s Traditional Culture and Arts Troupe |
Premiere | 2013-11-01 |
Venue | Chunyang Village , Renai Township , Nantou County 546 , Taiwan (ROC) |
Duration | 7min |
Image Source | Seediq’s Traditional Culture and Arts Troupe, Taiwan Music Institute National Center for Traditional Arts |
Other Works | Performance of Seediq Jaw Harps Tracks of Ancestors A Sad Song on the Hardships of Being a Mother |