Lanyu Paddlers Return from Root-Seeking Exchange; Golden Friendship Boat to be Donated to Batan Museum

(CNA, Taitung County, June 18) - The Tao people of Lanyu have built a 20-person plank boat, the Golden Friendship, and retraced a 300-year-old maritime ancient route, paddling from Lanyu to Batan to visit relatives. The paddlers, after a brief exchange in Batan, returned by yacht on the 17th and arrived successively on the 18th. The plank boat will be donated to the Batan Island Museum for collection.

The Tao (Yami) people from Lanyu Township, who traveled by yacht, returned to Lanyu's Longmen Port successively this morning to go home, completing this journey of visiting relatives and cultural exchange. Relatives welcomed them at Longmen Port.

Maraos, Chairman of the Indigenous Peoples Cultural Foundation, who remains on Batan Island, told CNA reporters via message that the entire paddling team completed customs inspection on the afternoon of the 17th and then returned to Lanyu on 7 yachts and the zero-emission ship "Porrima P111." The sea conditions were generally good. Reports indicate that they arrived successively at Lanyu's Longmen Port between 10 AM and 4 PM today.

He said that on the 17th, the Lanyu paddling team had a half-day cultural tour of Batan, visiting Batan's lighthouse and other attractions, allowing the 60 paddlers from Lanyu to learn more about the diverse Batan Island. Many paddlers are also guesthouse operators and observed guesthouse management and island environmental maintenance, which was a valuable exchange for the Lanyu people.

Maraos said that a luncheon was held on the 17th by the Indigenous Peoples Cultural Foundation and the paddling team. Both sides sang and shared ethnic music, creating a very enthusiastic atmosphere. They also took turns speaking on stage to share cultural insights.

Currently, 4 members of the paddling team, including himself, remain on Batan Island to inspect the boat. Due to rope wear, some areas of the hull have sustained minor damage. Repairs are expected to be planned in the coming days, with efforts to find a carpenter to assist. Additionally, related procedures for the donation of the Golden Friendship to the Batan Island Museum will be carried out in the next few days. Although the event concluded today, Batan Island residents still show great interest in the Lanyu paddling team and the Golden Friendship. Today, students from Batan High School visited the Civic Center where the Golden Friendship is displayed, discussing its construction methods.

The Lanyu Township Office stated that a cultural delegation composed of paddlers and tribal elders will depart for Batan on the 22nd to engage in a more in-depth cultural journey with the Ivatan people of Batan.

Over 100 Tao people participated in this root-seeking voyage. Some have already returned to Taiwan by boat, while the remaining members will stay in the Batan Islands until next week to participate in the annual Batanes Day celebration with officials from the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in the Philippines and dozens of Taiwanese expatriates in the Philippines. The highlight includes the Tao people paddling ashore with guests, recreating the historical scene of their ancestors crossing the sea. (Editor: Lung Po-an) 1150618

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