Preserving Thao Culture: Unveiling Ceremony for the Shuei She Old Village Site and Chief Shi's Ancestral Worship Ground

To preserve and honor the precious traditional culture and historical memory of the Thao people, the Nantou County Government held the 'Unveiling and Blessing Ceremony for the Thao Shuei She Old Village Site and Chief Shi's Ancestral Worship Ground' on March 31 beneath the Yule Pavilion along the Hanbi Trail in Sun Moon Lake. County Secretary-General Li Liang-zhu, County Councilors Shi Qing-long and Quan Wen-cai, Deputy Director Tang Wei-yao of the Sun Moon Lake National Scenic Area Administration, tribal elders, and many community members attended the event, gathering with gratitude and blessings to witness this historic moment. The atmosphere was solemn and dignified.

Construction on the 'Thao Shuei She Old Village Site and Chief Shi's Ancestral Worship Ground' began on November 15, 114, and was completed on March 28, 115. The unveiling ceremony on the 31st opened with a vibrant cultural performance by students from Yida-Shao Elementary School, showcasing the successful rooting of Thao culture in the younger generation. This was followed by traditional songs sung jointly by tribal elders and youth, whose melodious voices and dances conveyed the cultural vitality and intergenerational spirit of the community.

After speeches by distinguished guests, a sacred and solemn blessing ritual was conducted, led by the Thao priestess, who sprinkled wine in prayer to honor ancestral spirits and seek blessings for the safety of the people and prosperity of the tribe. During the 'Wine Offering and Unveiling Ceremony,' Secretary-General Li, attending dignitaries, and tribal elders jointly removed the red cloth covering the memorial stone and planted a banyan tree symbolizing life and eternity, marking a significant milestone in the preservation of Thao culture.

Secretary-General Li stated that the project had a total budget of approximately NT$3 million, establishing memorial stones and interpretive facilities at three key historical sites: two large and small stones beneath the Yule Pavilion at Hanbi Trail (Zone 1), a small stone beneath the Wenwu Temple (Zone 2), and a large stone beneath Xuan Guang Temple (Zone 3). These installations serve as vital spaces for Thao people to worship ancestors, continue ancestral rituals, and preserve hunting culture, while also enabling the public to learn about the Thao people's long history and traditional territories. The county government will continue to collaborate with the tribe to promote indigenous cultural preservation, revitalize historical sites, and advance cultural education, ensuring the sustainable transmission of invaluable indigenous cultural heritage.

Councilor Shi Qing-long, representing the Thao Ethnic Council, expressed gratitude to the county government and the scenic area administration for their support of indigenous culture, presenting commemorative gifts, which were accepted by Secretary-General Li and Deputy Director Tang. Councilor Shi emphasized that beyond Sun Moon Lake’s scenic beauty, the Thao people have lived here for hundreds of years. The erection of these monuments carries profound and solemn significance, and he hopes national policies will become more inclusive and compassionate toward indigenous peoples, recognizing their past hardships, so that diverse ethnic cultures may be sustainably preserved.