Since the North Link Railway running between Suao and Hualien was opened, villages along the line have attracted numerous visitors. One of these villages, Wutar in the Nanao district of Ilan County in northeastern Taiwan, has a large population of Taya aborigines. The village straddles the railway tracks, with a school on one side, and dwellings on the other.

Before the opening of the railway, Wutar's only link with the outside world was the narrow Suao-Hualien Highway, which is frequently blocked by landslides during typhoons, earthquakes and downpours.

Wutar is one of the model aborigine villages in Taiwan, for its neat and scenic surroundings and its high living standards. The village is named after chieftain Wutar, who led the Taya aborigines from the nearby mountains to settle at the current site. In the intervening period, great improvements in food, clothing and transportation have been made. Most homes have televisions and stereo sets, refrigerators, and water and electricity supplies.

Among the local customs which have died out with the passage of time, is the practice of tzu ching (tattooing the face with needles and a green dye) which had to be undergone by all young men and women before they were allowed to marry.

Visitors to Wutar today are greeted by a grove of newly planted coconut palms which line the main street of the village. To provide greenery and freshen up the environment, and to leave a good impression on participants in the convention for community development held in Ilan County on June 2 this year, villagers of all ages have been planting trees before they start the day's work or studies. Proud of his knowledge of plant life, one villager said: "Our descendants will be able to play in the shade of these trees."

People wash their clothes and children play along the two small creeks which run through the village. In addition to the neat streets and dwellings, the village has a clinic, old people's home, three Protestant churches and a park-like cemetery.

After Taiwan was returned to the Republic of China at the end of the Japanese occupation, the government set up public health clinics in all aborigine villages. Medical workers and midwives were also appointed to promote health care.

The activities center is the meeting place for all the villagers. Seminars on home economics and classes on childcare are provided to improve social and cultural education. The center doubles up as a nursery for pre-school children when it is not being used for other purposes.

The old people's home has only six residents because most old people prefer to work.

While many of the villagers still earn their living from cultivating rice, potatoes and millet, most young girls work in factories in nearby Lotung, and young men are employed as maintenance workers on the North Link Railway or at a newly opened cement factory. Women left behind in the village can earn income through weaving cloth or planting hsiang ku (fragrant mushroom). The hsiang ku harvest can bring in as much as US$5,000 per family each season, further improving living conditions in the village.

Villagers who choose not to engage in any of these activities can receive professional training from the public office, Free China Relief Association, seamen's and drivers' companies, and spinning factories. Each participant receives an allowance of US$17 a month during the training period.

As most people work out of town, the population of the village is reduced to about 100 for much of the time, including 46 children, who attend the Wutar Primary School, the smallest in Ilan County, which is staffed by a principal, his assistant, four teachers and a messenger. However, a band of 15 was formed by the school, which plays the national anthem at the flag-raising ceremony each morning. The Wutar Primary School has a record of out-standing achievements in encouraging children to save their pocket money and in providing nutritious food. With the government's subsidy, each student pays only US$4 a month to enjoy a lunch each school day consisting of fish, pork, egg, vegetables and soup.

As a result of the teachers' dedication, the students are endowed with a great sense of honor. Their academic and sports achievements are the best among all aborigine villages. Although there are no restaurants in the town, many families provide food and refreshment for visitors who want to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life.

[Picture Caption]

Left: Wutar in the Nanao district of Ilan County straddles the North Link Railway. Right: With bamboo baskets on their backs, aborigine women at Wutar are seen on their way to pluck hsiang ku.

1. Wutar villagers drying hsiang ku (fragrant mushroom) in a courtyard. 2. Modern facilities in an aborigine home. 3. Tzu ching (tattooing the face with needles and a green dye), is one of the customs which have died out with the passage of time. 4. A woman cutting the hair of an old man reflects the harmony and peace of the aborigines' life style.

1. Pre-school children at the Wutar village's nursery. 2. Swimming is a favorite pastime among the children. 3 & 4. A flag-raising ceremony takes place each morning at Wutar Primary School.
mm1. Children at Wutar village. 2. Children singing the national anthem. 3. Study in the classroom. 4. The 15-member band formed at the Wutar Primary School.

With bamboo baskets on their backs, aborigine women at Wutar are seen on their way to pluck hsiang ku.

Wutar villagers drying hsiang ku （fragrant mushroom） in a courtyard.

Modern facilities in an aborigine home.

Tzu ching （tattooing the face with needles and a green dye）, is one of the customs which have died out with the passage of time.

A woman cutting the hair of an old man reflects the harmony and peace of the aborigines' life style.

Pre-school children at the Wutar village's nursery.

Swimming is a favorite pastime among the children.

A flag-raising ceremony takes place each morning at Wutar Primary School.

A flag-raising ceremony takes place each morning at Wutar Primary School.

Children at Wutar village.

Children singing the national anthem.

Study in the classroom.

The 15-member band formed at the Wutar Primary School.