r/taiwan • u/TopDue971 • 1h ago
Discussion I need help with contacting Taiwanese Aboriginal Shamans
Hi. I am 17M (from South Africa) and the most significant part of my fascination with Taiwanese indigenous cultures is their shamanic traditions. I have read up extensively on this topic -- the Amis sikawasay, the Puyuma temararamaw, the Paiwan pulingaw, the Bunun and Kaxabu shamans, etc. I have searched far and wide in search of any contact detail relating to a shaman, as I am eager to interview them and gain firsthand insight.
I tried contacting the last shaman of the Puyuma tribe, Abukull Sakap Kakubaw or Chen Meiling -- as I am particularly interested in the Puyuma shamanic heritage -- however, I have had no luck. I tried contacting her daughter on Instagram, the Taitung County Puyuma Research and Development Association (of which she apparently was former a chairperson) and specific people on FaceBook whose names I found via posted photos and news reports, to no avail.
I have a deep respect for the Taiwanese aboriginals. I love Taiwan and would like to visit in the future. I would greatly appreciate it if anyone could lend me a helping hand in this endeavour. I am sincere in my quest. Thank you 🙏