Current Issue

Chimo seek recognition of aboriginal status

• Auteur:Abby Lee
• Date de publication:29/8/2003

         Inspired by the Kavalan a plains-dwelling tribe that has just obtained official recognition of its aboriginal status some indigenous groups are seeking restoration of tribal names. Among these the Chimo--which means prestigious group--is a prime example.

        Most Chimo live in Pingtung County in southern Taiwan and Taitung County in the eastern part of the island. According to Lee Yi-yuan, a research fellow at Academia Sinica's Institute of Ethnology, Chimos dwelled in Hsiaoliuchiu--an islet that is now part of Pingtung County--1,000 years ago. Successive waves of immigration led to their gradual assimilation among the Paiwan, Rukai and Puyuma tribes inhabiting the southern and eastern parts of Taiwan.

        Currently, the Chimo are officially recognized as a subgroup of the Paiwan, the third-largest aboriginal group on the island. Of the 60,000 Paiwan, one-third are Chimo--all with the surname Hsingfaniyao. The island's 413,000 aborigines can be categorized into 11 major tribes: the Atayal, Saisiyat, Bunun, Tsou, Shao, Paiwan, Rukai, Puyuma, Ami, Yami and Kavalan.

        "It is no easy task to recover legal tribal status because tracing genealogical roots is so time-consuming," said Chang Ching-sheng, chairman of Taitung County Chimo Cultural Development Association. The organization has promoted restoration of the Chimo tribe's name.

        There are two organizations of this kind in Taiwan: one established by aborigines living in Pingtung in 1996 and the other by Chang two years later. They hold large biannual gatherings. During the meeting, numerous traditional acrobatic games, such as wrestling and running, are held to cement tribal ties.

        Aboriginal rights activists have organized activities to bring tribespeople closer, and also made painstaking efforts to prove the Chimo are different from the Paiwan--their official parent group.

        Tracing the origin of the Chimo was begun during the 1950s by Academia Sinica research fellow Lee Yi-yuan. He was the first in the academic community to claim that the Chimo were an independent group, having their own distinct genealogical origins.

        While investigating the group in Laiyi Town--the major residence of the Chimo--he found that the Chimo were an ancient ethnic group. "The Chimo is not a branch of the Paiwan. They were assimilated into the Paiwan community," said Lee. He added that the Chimo have their own legends of tribal origin. They believed that the sun hatched two eggs in an urn, from which a man and woman emerged, becoming the progenitors of the Chimo.

        Although a handful of Paiwan suggested that the aforementioned legend purported to explain their own tribe's origin, most Paiwan claim that their ancestors were born from a hundred-pacer snake. "I think the latter better explains Paiwan roots, especially since the poisonous snake serves as a sacred symbol of the tribe," said Lee.

        In addition, there are significant differences in tribal traditions. For example, the Chimo have a penchant for eating snakes, whereas the reptile is the revered guardian of the Paiwan. "There is a striking difference in their religious lives. They have distinct approaches to worshipping gods or harvesting mullet," said Lee.

        He cited harvest celebrations, when the Chimo observe only simple rites, preparing abundant agricultural products to thank their guardian: the sun. Yet, the Paiwan arrange grand ceremonies with many competitions, including dancing, singing and archery.

        "While Lee indicated that the Chimo and Paiwan are derived from separate origins, few Chimos took it seriously in the beginning," said Chang Ching-sheng. "Only after a series of high-profile protests launched by the tribe, demanding restoration of legal aboriginal status that led to greater public awareness, did my tribespeople start to work on rectification of the tribal name," he added.

        After interviewing more than 400 tribal elders, Chang collated resources helping him picture ancient Chimo society. In order to preserve the disappearing culture, Chang constructed a small village that is a mock-up of a traditional Chimo community. "I divided the village, encompassing hunting, farming, handicrafts and exhibition areas, availing the younger generation of an opportunity to experience an authentic Chimo lifestyle," said Chang.

        According to Chang, the Chimo number about 20,000. He has promoted restoration of his tribe's legal status, soliciting support from chiefs. In five years, the Chimo will be able to apply for recovery of legal aboriginal status.