The Orchid Island Township office is looking for volunteers to participate in a traditional 16-man canoe-launching ceremony known as Manhawey and to help with accompanying ceremonies.
The Tao tribe’s Manhawey is usually performed to increase morale, comfort people over the loss of loved ones during hard times or as a taunt.
Using traditional methods to build the 16-man canoe — known as a si mangavang — the vessel is expected to be completed this week so carvers can begin working on its decorations next week.
The launch will be on June 25.
Township office secretary Huang Cheng-te (黃正德) said modern Orchid Island canoes can hold a maximum of 10 people, so a 16-person canoe was a breakthrough.
The new canoe will provide a unique chance to experience an ocean voyage, he said.
An online vote will be used to select the 50 men between the ages of 18 and 55 who will launch the canoe wearing thongs in a traditional ship-launching ceremony, and another 20 people — male or female — who will pick taro and participate in the launching ceremony and concert, which will be held from June 23 to June 25.
Volunteers will receive free insurance and transportation around the island. However, they will have to pay the NT$2,000 cost of the round trip from Taitung to Orchid Island themselves.
Interested people can call the Taitung Sustainable Development Society at 089-227614 or 233409.
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