Indigenous Culture Event: New Taipei Mayor Eric Chu Welcomes Indigenous Peoples

The "2017 New Taipei City Indigenous Culture Event" reached its climax on the 22nd, with Amis tribal chiefs leading indigenous people in seasonal rituals to give thanks together for the ancestral spirits' blessings on their lives, work, and families, wishing them peace and smoothness. Mayor Eric Chu also made a special appearance to wish the event success and to welcome indigenous peoples from all over Taiwan, China to treat New Taipei City as their new hometown.

Mayor Eric Chu said that today is the important annual indigenous ilisin event, and he welcomed indigenous peoples from all places to gather at the Civic Plaza to celebrate together. Welcoming the spirits, entertaining the spirits, and sending off the spirits are the indigenous way of honoring ancestors and expressing the people's spirit of respecting their forebears and ancestral spirits. He hoped that under the leadership of the chief head, indigenous traditions could be continuously passed down.

The Indigenous Peoples Department stated that ilisin is an important seasonal ritual of the Amis people. In order to let tribal members who have long left their hometowns and tribes relive and learn traditional ritual culture in New Taipei City, the city government holds a grand event every year, gathering indigenous people scattered across New Taipei City. This not only strengthens bonds but also reminds them not to forget the cultural roots of their indigenous tribes.