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Hunter for a Day: Cultural Experience at Songhe Tribe Leaves Lasting Memories
On 27 August 2025, CMU international students joined the “Hunter for a Day” cultural experience at Songhe Tribe in Guguan, Taichung. The tribe is home to a diverse population, with only one-third belonging to the Atayal people, while the rest include mainlanders, Hoklo, and Hakka residents. For this special event, students were fortunate to have an Atayal elder share traditional stories, including the Atayal creation myth, the legend of shooting the sun, the rainbow legend, and the cultural meaning of facial tattooing.
During the tribal tour, participants explored a traditional Atayal wooden house, built with supporting wooden pillars, stacked timber walls, and a roof woven from split bamboo and covered with thatch. The elder explained why fires were kept burning inside the house 24 hours a day in traditional life.
The day’s activities were engaging and interactive: students tried water-ball target shooting, carrying heavy loads uphill, wood sawing, and the ever-popular archery challenge. To end the experience, the princess of the tribe used a colorful crayon to create modern-style facial tattoos, giving everyone a memorable keepsake.
Through this event, students not only gained a deeper understanding of Atayal culture but also experienced the resilience and wisdom of tribal life, leaving with unforgettable memories.
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