Abstract
Bamboo Raft in Cepo' (Kangkou):
an Analysis of Material Culture in an Amis Village, East Coast Taiwan
Abstract
Torii Ryuzo wrote in his investigating diary that, “People in Pacific Islands use the vessels frequently, and Taiwan can be said as the most one of the Pacific Islands.” In Amis language, the bamboo raft is called “dadangoyan”. Bamboo raft is the key tool used to catch fish and transport by Amis people in the east coast of Taiwan since ancient times. Especially in Cepo’, one Amis tribe located in the outlet of Siouguluan River to the Pacific Ocean, people created two types of the bamboo rafts to adapt the environment of river and sea. This research recorded the traditional way of bamboo raft making and discussed the evolution of bamboo raft and its culture. Based on the participation observation and in-depth interview, it is found that the bamboo raft was an essential tool for the livelihood for every family in Cepo’. Every man must learn how to make the bamboo raft. In order to make the bamboo raft, people have to protect the bamboo forest. Therefore, the bamboo raft also connected Cepo’ people, mountain, river and sea. Now the bamboo raft has been replaced by the plastic raft and young people are no longer to learn the skills of bamboo raft making. The evolution of the raft reflects the social change, and also the change of the relationship between human and environment in Cepo’ Amis society.