Lan Yu, an islet in the Pacific off southeastern Taiwan, once was called Redhead island because many of the population are red-haired. The name was changed in 1946 to the more poetic Orchid island, because the islet is abundant at high levels with orchids of the genus phalaenopsis. Lan Yu is under the jurisdiction of Taitung Hsien, with an area of 45 square miles, and a population of about 3,000. Most of the people are aborigines of the Yami tribe. The Yamis are a somewhat mysterious people, primitive but friendly. They lead a self-sufficient life, combining fishing and cultivating.
This island, 49 miles off Taitung, is becoming a tourist attraction that can be reached by sea, or by air within an hour from Taitung. Sightseeing is a fascinating experience with sea waves, spectacular sunsets, strange rocks, artistically designed canoes fashioned by skills handed down over countless generations and tribal singing among the attractions to make the visitor forget that this is the twentieth century. When you land on this island, you would suddenly find yourself in a Shangri-la still largely untouched by modern civilization.
Although the government has been doing much to improve the yamis' food, clothing, sanitation, medical care, fishing technique and handicrafts, nothing seems to have changed very much. For the most part, they prefer to be left alone and stick to their own traditions and customs. There are two primary schools and one junior high school on Lan Yu. Middle school students are sent to boarding schools in Taiwan. Besides the native Yami language, Mandarin Chinese is becoming more common on the island. The younger generation expects to see more changes, as Lan Yu comes more and more in contact with the outside. Many leave with the feeling of how wise these people are to remain where they are in this chaotic world, and wish to come back and join them.
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