Taiwan Pasiwali Festival held in Taitung after two years’ suspension due to COVID pandemic

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Pasiwali is a word from the Amis tribe, which is one of the many aboriginal tribes in Taiwan. It means go to the east, and eastern Taiwan is where the fifth Taiwan Pasiwali Festival was held. Organized by the Council of Indigenous Peoples, the music festival was held over the weekend after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID pandemic. Performers from overseas were once again able to come to Taiwan and converge on this year’s venue in Taitung Forest Park.

Wearing traditional woven clothing and headscarves with tribal patterns, the performers dance to a rhythmic tune. Their audience? Minister of the Council of Indigenous Peoples, Icyang Parod, who gives them a thumbs-up.

Icyang Parod
Minister, Council of Indigenous Peoples
After two years, we’re finally able to invite performing troupes to come once again. They include singers from our diplomatic ally Palau and outstanding performing groups from the Philippines and Malaysia.

As Taiwan’s epidemic prevention measures relax and borders open up, foreign groups were once again able to enter Taiwan to join the festivities. This year’s event is held in Taitung with the theme of connection with other nations. In the festival’s bazaar, foreign and local indigenous groups built five tribal huts, allowing visitors to enter and interact with diverse cultures.

Icyang Parod
Minister, Council of Indigenous Peoples
Many of the foreign performing groups that came here no longer have to learn the Chinese pronunciation. Everyone now say Pasiwali.

This is the 5th Taiwan Pasiwali Festival. Interestingly, “five” is pronounced “lima” in the languages of many Austronesian peoples in and outside Taiwan. Having such things in common has allowed Taiwan’s indigenous peoples to connect with their counterparts from Pacific nations. The purpose of the music festival is to enable both local and foreign indigenous singers and music groups to connect with each other through music.