Culture Preservation
Preservation of Language and Culture
After completing the self-built houses in 2021 and relocating, the Xizhou Tribe faced a crisis in cultural heritage preservation. Residents now spend less time together compared to before, resulting in fewer opportunities for mutual communication among the tribe members. The traditional Amis language is gradually being replaced by Mandarin in daily life, posing risks of language and cultural decline or disappearance.
According to Mr. Zhang Zu-miao, Chairman of the Xizhou Amis Cultural Sustainable Development Association, approximately 80% of the tribe's young people today do not speak the Amis language at all, while around 20% can understand but cannot speak it. Only a handful of young people remain proficient in the Amis language. Interviews with local tribe members also revealed that not only young people but even the older generations may not necessarily use their native language, highlighting a clear gap in language transmission.
▲The ethnic language means "Wishing wealth comes to you."
▲Tribal artworks by indigenous senior citizens.