Get to know the culture and lifestyle of the Atayal in Wulai

Atayal shops selling aborigine foods, crafts, clothes and wood carvings line up on Wulai’s Old Street, which on weekends is packed with crowds. Aborigines dressed up in traditional Atayal clothes will come out and greet shoppers looking for souvenirs.

Of the 12 aborigine tribes of Taiwan, the Atayal are the most skilled in weaving. A striking feature of Atayal clothes is its bright red color, which is believed to be a color of vitality and also to keep away evil spirits. The application of facial tattoos was a major custom for the Atayal. As the practice was banned during the Japanese occupation, nowadays only those aged above 80 can be seen with facial tattoos. As a matter of fact, wearing a facial tattoo was something to be proud of — as one had to put up with the pain during the tattooing process. Wearing a facial tattoo was a symbol of strength, bravery and maturity.

There are several Atayal cultural centers in Wulai where visitors can get a taste of how the Atayal live in an authentic aborigine village. As the Atayal are well known for their abilities in singing and dancing, classes on Atayal dances, songs and instruments are available at these cultural centers.

Along Old Street one can find vendors selling a wide variety of Atayal foods, the most famous of which is “muaji,” or sticky rice dumplings. Making muaji is a unique experience. One needs to uses a wooden stick, or pestle, to grind sticky rice in a wooden bowl until it becomes dough. The dough will then be cut into individual pieces, or muaji. It will then be served with peanut powder.

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