The Atayal Tribe resides in a village along the Nanhsi River called Wulai. Wulai is located inside the Taroko National Park of Taiwan and is roughly forty miles from Taipei. The exact origins of where the Atayal Tribe came from are a mystery still, though some anthropologists believe they migrated from Malaysia or Indonesia. The tribe that inhabits these lands are considered to be Atayal Proper, and a few consider themselves Atayal Sedeq. There are around 3,000 Atayl tribes in Taiwan and 50,00 tribes worldwide.
The Atayal tribe is one of Taiwan’s nine aboriginal tribes. The first record of Atayal inhabitance is found near the upper reaches of the Chosui River. However, sometime during the late 17th century they crossed the Central Mountain Ranges into the wilderness of the east. They then settled in the Liwu river valley. Seventy-nine Atayal villages can be found here.
The Atayal Tribe was a fairly advanced culture. They practiced many forms of food production including slash and burn agriculture, hunting, fishing, and gathering. The tribe used facial tattooing and teeth filing as rituals of initiation. When the tribe fought, they removed the heads of the invaders and would later have a party where the heads would be displayed. The tribe also practiced crafts such as weaving, gunny spinning, working with wood, and net knotting. The work they do is considered to be some of the best in all of Taiwan.
Written By: Tony Ticknor
"Wulai : Land of Atayal People" Wulai : Land of the Atayal Tribe http://www.geocities.com/TheTropics/Cabana/7031/scenic/wulai.html (Accessed Dec. 99)
"Taiwanese Government page" Cultural Heritage http://www.cpami.gov.tw/taroko/english/englis~5.htm (Accessed Dec. 99)