President Chen Shui-bian (
"This Kavalan renaissance repre-sents the resurgence of ethnic consciousness and cultural awareness," Chen said as he attended the tribe's Harvest Festival in Hualien County yesterday afternoon.
The president noted that the Cabinet-level Council of Indigenous Peoples (原住民族委員會) has researched the tribe's pedigree, language and social system in a bid to carry out the Kavalan people's wish to restore their dignity.
PHOTO: HUA MENG-CHING, TAIPEI TIMES
Chen said the Kavalan's Harvest Festival symbolizes the concerted efforts of the grassroots and the government, both of which have worked to protect Taiwan's traditional culture.
"I believe the nation's rich culture of multiethnic groups will put Taiwan in the international spotlight and make it a role model for other countries to follow," Chen said.
Council Chairman Chen Chien-nien (陳建年) said the Kavalan used to be incorrectly categorized as part of the Amis' (阿美族) tribal system, and that the government is now working to bring back the tribe's name.
The majority of the 1,000-strong Kavalan now reside in Hualien and Taitung counties.
The 10 recognized Aboriginal tribes in Taiwan are the Atayal (
The Amis is the largest group, accounting for more than one-third of the nation's indigenous population.
Kenting National Park service technician Yang Jien-fon (楊政峰) won a silver award in World Grand Prix Photography Awards Spring Season for his photograph of two male rat snakes intertwined in combat. Yang’s colleagues at Kenting National Park said he is a master of nature photography who has been held back by his job in civil service. The awards accept entries in all four seasons across six categories: architectural and urban photography, black-and-white and fine art photography, commercial and fashion photography, documentary and people photography, nature and experimental photography, and mobile photography. Awards are ranked according to scores and divided into platinum, gold and
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