Interview with the elderly

* Date: Dec. 14, 2006

* Location: Mr. Tung-hsing Chang’s home

* Interviewee: Tung-hsing Chang

* Content:

Chi-an: Grandpa, which community do you belong to, Kiyang or Qunos? Where were you born? How old are you now? what is the difference of accent between these two communities?

I am from Kiyang community. I was born in the remote mountains (Old Kiyang), 48kms away from Nan-ao. I am 68. The accent of s Kiyang differs a little from that of Qunos, sometime leading to misunderstanding.

Yu-wen: How many people were in your hometown? What are the crops you live on?

When I was born, there were about 400 people living in Old Jinyan. We lived by farming, such as: millet, pachyrhizus, taro and mung bean etc. At that time, there was no electric power, so we cooked only by firing wood.

Jun-an: when did you migrate to current Kiyang Village. Could you tell us the reason of migration?

I migrated to Kiyang Village in 1964. It is because the government wanted to facilitate the management over us. But I dislike leaving Old Kiyang, because that was my hometown. But I had to leave. The Kiyang community was forced to migrate to current Kiyang Village.

Yi-jie: are there any special fete activities in your former hometown? What’s the function of these fetes?

In the former hometown, we held sports game, Abundant-year Ceremony and Monthly Guard Ceremony. Through these activities, we not only gathered together, but also prayed our ancestor to bless us a harvest year and a smooth life.

Yu-lin: How did your hometown develop the traditional skill such as weaving, rattan weaving handicraft and wine brewing?

Either men or women must master the skill of weaving and wing brewing. The elders often brewed wine but we only drank during festivals.

Hsu Ping: Now Kiyang Village is composed of two communities, Kiyang and Qunos. How did they coexist with each other in the past? Did the intermarriage between 2 communities help improve their relationship?

Previously, Kiyang and Qunos often fought against each other. Their relationship was unharmonious. But after the intermarriage, their relationship gradually turned better and better.

Jia-ming: Some of us are from Kiyang or Qunos community. Would you like to give us some advice about the tribe’s future development?

I hope every kid don’t forget you are an Atayalan. You should learn to speak our mother tongue and convey the skill of rattan and cloth weaving skills to our offspring.

Interview with the elderly Afterthoughts of students

Jun-an: Today’s interview involved a lot about Old Kiyang. The stories he told us were very interesting. The grandpa was very kind. It is import that we can not forget we are from Atayalan.

Yu-wen: I found this grandpa was kind or friendly. Through this interview, we knew more about Kiyang village. This grandpa wanted very much to return to Old Kiyang. I also hope to have such an opportunity to go there.

(Old Kiyang) .

Jia-ming: Two communities coexisted in Kiyang village! That’s unusual! It is not bad that both of them live in harmony and no longer fight against each other. Otherwise our good impressions on Kiyang would be damaged.

Jun-ying: We are all Atayalan! Neither Kiyang nor Qunos should conflict with each other. Although such conflict occurred, the intermarriage resolved it. We should try our best to do something for the future of Kiyang Village.

Yu-lin: Kiyang Village is hometown of us all. I am from Qunos community, but I also belong to Kiyang Village. I will remember what Grandfather said. I will never forget my home place and will try my best to study and maintain the culture of Atayal from generation to generation.

Yi-jie: this grandpa is a good person. I was responsible for taking picture during today’s interview, since I had some experience of photographing. I also heard so many stories, it was really a fruitful day