The Formosa Aboriginal Song and Dance Troupe (原舞者) is celebrating its
10th anniversary this year by reviving its 1993 performance of the youth
basibas, or monkey ceremony. According to the troupe's artistic director
Faidaw Fangod, this work is a serious attempt to bring the important
Puyama festival to the stage.
"Naturally some changes have to be made," Faidow Fangod said. "Such
ceremonies take place over many days and there are sections dealing with
communication with ancestors that cannot be revealed to the uninitiated."
The mission of the group is to study the religious dances of all Taiwan's Aboriginal tribes with attention to regional differences and accuracy
of detail. "All our dancers are also researchers," Faidow Fangod said.
To do this, many obstacles must be overcome, not least allaying the
suspicions of tribal elders who don't wish to see their traditions
abused.
The early assistance of Hu Tai-li (胡台麗), a fellow of the Institute of
Ethnology of the Academia Sinica in the early days of the troupe's
formation was helpful in boosting the group's credentials, but even
today, Faidow Fangod says they spend a lot of time establishing good
relations with tribes just to study their rituals.
"Our troupe is made up of members from many different tribes," Faidow
Fangod said, "so when they dance something from another tribe, they must
forget their tribal identity." At the same time, there is a process of
acquiring a sense of belonging, as "many of our young performers have
never lived in tribal communities."
Since the basibas ritual was first performed in 1993 by the troupe,
Faidow Fangod says they have made significant refinements as their
understanding of the ritual dance deepens. "Our job is to carry on our
heritage," he said, "and keep it pure." He said that many Aboriginal
dances performed nowadays often blur important distinctions or ritual
elements. For the audience, the troupe also provides detailed program
notes to explain the significance of the dance.
The Formosa Aboriginal Song and Dance Troupe will be performing at Novel
Hall on Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30pm. Tickets cost NT$300 to NT$900
and are available through Acer ticketing outlets.
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