About
The soul of the Saisiyat is not just a symbol of cultural identity. It is a responsibility and a weight to carry. It is something passed down through traditional dances, songs and rituals. It expresses the body and is deeply connected with mythology, nature and community, reflecting the harmony and dialogue between man and nature and man and society.
Every dance performed is an exploration of the meaning of life and a declaration to the world of the uniqueness and value of Saisiyat culture. This performance is meant to preserve and promote the cultural heritage of the Saisiyat people and look for connections with contemporary society so that these traditions remain vital and relevant in an ever-changing world.
About taboeh a ‘oebay tataysi’ (Shihmin Szu)
taboeh a ‘oebay tataysi’ (Shihmin Szu) is an Indigenous choreographer from Taiwan. His father is Saisiyat, and his mother is Amis. He is the first dancer to identify as Saisiyat to bring his work to New York. In choreography, he combines traditional Saisiyat culture and contemporary dance. Inspired by these vibrant cultural elements, his works express his awe of the land and his pursuit of that unshakeable spirit and vitality. Szu’s dance incorporates his cultural beliefs while striving to break through national and cultural barriers, creating a resonance that transcends language and geography.
About ‘itih kaybaybaw
‘itih is an Indigenous singer from the Baguali tribe in Nanzhuang Township of Miaoli, Taiwan. Baguali is a tribe with diverse ethnic groups and a rich culture. The Hakka and the Saisiyat people live closely in the tribe, so ‘itih has cultivated an old soul tied to the local community. Growing up in such an environment, he is bilingual, never forgetting his two mother tongues, Hakka and Saisiyat, even when he left home for his studies. In today’s society, where foreign culture is steadily becoming mainstream, he considers it a point of pride to be able to speak the mother tongue. He continues learning by watching the news in Saisiyat, speaking to elders in the tribe, and practicing by talking to himself. He believes in making it possible for you to be able to tell the local language no matter what environment you are in. He also hopes that more people can value their mother tongues through self-learning and cultural knowledge.
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