Mihumisang-Tribal Voices of Formosa

Amy Eisenberg

doi:10.63428/htfjsd37

Mihumisang-Tribal Voices of Formosa

Amy Eisenberg, Ph.D.

Volume 20, Number 2 (2021) 20 (2): 102-113

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.63428/htfjsd37

Keywords Formosa, Taiwan, Indigenous Peoples, Austronesian, Tao tribe, nuclear waste, environmental justice, cultural preservation, human rights, self-determination, Yushan Tribal College, cultural genocide, traditional practices, land rights

Abstract

This article shares the deeply personal and collective experiences of Formosa's (Taiwan's) Indigenous Peoples, primarily focusing on their struggles for cultural preservation, land rights, and environmental justice. Drawing from her work as a Research Fellow at Yushan Tribal College, the author presents narratives from various tribes, including Bunun, Tao, Pangcah, Tayal, Paiwan, Sediq, Rukai, and Atayal. A central theme is the Tao people's vehement opposition to the nuclear waste dump on their sacred island, Pongso no Tao, highlighting the government's deceit and the ongoing environmental and health risks. The article also explores the broader challenges faced by Taiwan's Indigenous communities, such as forced assimilation, loss of language and traditional practices, and systemic racism, contrasting their rich Austronesian heritage with the dominant Chinese culture. Through powerful testimonies, the voices of elders and youth articulate their resilience, their deep connection to land and heritage, and their persistent calls for truth, democracy, freedom, and respect in Taiwanese society, emphasizing the urgent need for self-determination and recognition of their inherent dignity.