An Introduction to the Paiwan

(1) Origins of the Paiwan

The Paiwan call themselves the "descendents of the paipushe snake". They revere the snake and, consequently, its likeness appears on Paiwan clothing and totem carvings. Eating snake meat is prohibited for the Paiwan.

What makes the paipushe snake so important? According to researchers, the Paiwan call the paipushe snake the elder, therefore, paipushe snake worship has the connotation of ancestor worship. These snakes are the protective spirits of the tribe and keep the peace.

Paiwan can be divided into the Northern, Central, Southern, and Eastern Groups, each of which has its unique cultural traits.

Because of their close proximity, the Wutai Hsiang Rukai has had deeply influenced the Northern Paiwan Lawaer Village culturally. Examples include the wearing of lilies and inheritances being passed through the lines of the eldest males.

The Central Paiwan have maintained a number of ancient customs and rituals.

The Southern Paiwan of Mutan Hsiang are famous historically. The Japanese invaded Taiwan during the Tongzhi Reign of the Qing Dynasty instigating the Mutanshe Incident, which escalated into an international incident. The Pwainzu were heroic in their resistance of the Japanese. The Paiwan of Manchou Hsiang were deeply influenced culturally by the Chinese and Ami due to the proximity of their cultures.

     The culture of the Eastern Paiwan Bakaluo Villiage is a mixture of the Puyuma and Ami cultures as manifested their dress and lifestyle.

(2)    Tribe Distribution

     The Paiwan have a population of around 60,000 living in Pingtung County's Santi and Pa Hsiangs as well as Taitung County's Taiwu and Taimali Hsiangs. But major tribe concentration is in Yi Hsiang. The administrative districts of Majia, Sanyimen, Taiwu, Chunji, Shihtsi, and Mutan Hsiangs, as well as the Taitung County are all areas of Paiwan concentration.

Social classes, including the chief, nobility, warriors, and commoner classes, are clearly stratified among the Paiwan. In addition to property and marriages, class differences are represented in names, consequently tribe member names intimate class.

The chief is the ruler of the tribe, responsible for ceremonies, affairs with other peoples, war, and other major tasks. The position is inherited by the eldest son, while other brothers and sisters make up the nobility. The chief owns the land, the hunting areas, and the waterways. The commoners work as tenant farmers, renting land from the chief. During the harvest, they pay tribute to the chief. During rituals, the chief offers tributes of alcohol and cooked foods for everyone to enjoy. Normally, he also helps out poorer tribe members, so he is also the tribe's spiritual leader.

The upper classes have the right to wear colorful clothing and decorate their houses with carvings. They consist of two or three other strata based on their relationship to the chief.

The warrior class, which is highly respected by tribe members, is made up of commoners with special achievements or talents, such as carving teachers or outstanding hunters.