A series of cultural activities related to this year’s Austronesian Wedding are set to begin this weekend, with 10 couples scheduled to be married later this month following the matrimonial rituals of the Paiwan people.
The Maolin National Scenic Administration, which organizes the annual event, said the weddings had drawn many non-Aboriginal couples from overseas to participate.
The event includes adherence to traditional wedding customs for Paiwan and Rukai nobility.
The administration said it coordinated with two Aboriginal peoples in Pingtung County’s Majia (瑪家), Sandimen (三地門) and Wutai (霧台) townships, and intends to show the public the wedding customs of these two communities.
The Rukai and Paiwan are the only two Aboriginal communities in Taiwan that adhere to a strict social hierarchy, in which people are divided into four classes: chieftain, nobility, warrior and commoner.
In addition to an opening ceremony at Linali Village (禮納里) on Saturday, the agency said 10 couples are scheduled to tie the knot on March 19 at the Taiwan Indigenous Peoples Culture Park.
The newlyweds are to receive wedding gifts, the agency said.
According to the administration, the three townships take turns hosting the wedding ceremonies. The majority of residents in Majia and Sandimen are of the Paiwan community, whereas those in Wutai are of the Rukai community.
The activities are to be held between Saturday and March 27. In addition to the weddings, people interested in understanding the Rukai culture can join tours offered by the Wutai Township Office.
The Sandimen Township Office is offering tours of Aboriginal villages, including an artifact tour at Timur Village (also known as Sandi Village, 三地), a hunting culture tour at Tukuvulu Village (also known as Dewen Village, 德文) and an ecological tour of Tjavatjavang Village (also known as Dalai Village, 達來).
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