Fresh troops
The association has since chosen traditional weaving, dance and cuisine as the focus of its efforts. "Now most of those participating in the community activities are women," Lin explains. Currently the weaving class has been held for three terms, and several dozen people have already mastered the basic techniques. The community has also sold looms. It's just unfortunate that the women of the village, after finishing their regular housework, don't have very much time leftover. Without any economic motivation, few continue with weaving after taking the course.
As for the dance group, it's accomplished quite a bit considering it's only been around for a year. "Everyone likes to dance," explains Liu Yueh-hua. "For one thing, you can get some exercise and build up a good sweat, and after practicing it's fun to hang out and talk." Currently, they practice two times a week, and whenever they are invited to perform they get really excited. Last year, they even came away with an award for folk arts excellence at a competition in Changhua.
What's more, Piyahaw's association has also been praised for its "basic work," such as its exhaustive survey of resources in the community and its community newsletter. Flip through the hundred-plus pages of the richly illustrated A Survey of Piyahaw's Resources, and you discover that the town's geographical environment, historical development, Atayal ceremonies and culture, and future prospects are all well covered. The survey methods included interviews with residents, oral history from tribal elders, on-site investigations, questionnaires, seminars and so forth. It took the four youths assigned by the Ilan County Cultural Bureau (who were performing community service in lieu of military service) six months to finish. "We hope that this report will help to carry on the legacies of the past and encourage the people of the community to develop sympathy, understanding and resonance, thereby increasing Piyahaw's self-respect and future prospects," wrote Chang Chih, one of the four young men who compiled it.
"Creating resonance" isn't easy. Lin Chin-chu explains that most people in the village with better economic situations are busy at work and lack interest, and that the unemployed are even less likely to come. Currently, some dozen mothers have helped to bring the community to life, but most of the villagers don't understand what's involved in making a community. The community suffers from a lack of participation. It's a problem that really gives him headaches.
"It's a road of no return that we've elected to go down," says Lin. Nevertheless, he's very grateful for all the support and supporters he has met along the way. For instance, County Legislator Chiang Ming-shun donated some office equipment, and Chang Peng-yeh, who handles community development at the Cultural Bureau, provided a lot of assistance. They helped Lin and the others in Piyahaw think about the direction of development. And then there was Huang Shan-jiao, who formerly served as Piyahaw's village warden. Lin finds it deeply moving that a Han Chinese like Huang would devote so much time and energy to helping an aboriginal village.
Lin Chin-chu's wife is weaving with a traditional horizontal back strap loom. The weaver straightens the warp by leaning back on the strap behind her.