Oral Culture in the 21st Century: Bridging Taiwan's Cultural Gap

• In Event: 58.083 - Roundtable Session 26
  In Roundtable Session: 58.083-3 - Achieving the Promise for Indigenous Peoples: Research and Praxis II

Abstract

This study used ethnographic inquiry as a qualitative approach for a total of 11 people from the Tayal (Atayal) People of northern Taiwan. It revealed that preservation of Tayal heritage, language, culture and social lifestyle structure in the 21st century and beyond is a major concern and deeply important to Tayal communities and individuals. An effort to construct an authentic Tayal traditional culture education program seems to have significant benefits for not only Tayal children, families, communities, but for the Taiwanese society as well. The research participants strongly encourage Tayal and Taiwanese-Tayal born children to maintain their mother tongue, culture and family social lifestyle structure in Taiwan.

Author

• Yer Jeffery Thao, Portland State University