EXPERIENCE
AMI HARVEST
FESTIVAL
WHEN
In July and August (TBC)
WHERE
40 areas across Hualien, Taitung, and
Pingtung counties in eastern Taiwan
HOW
Taiwan has efficient trains, buses and
domestic flights available
DOS AND DON’TS- Do bring a gift, such as food or beer, if you
have been invited to an Ami event - Don’t attend restricted ceremonies
(often dictated by gender and whether or
not you have been invited to the ceremony
by an Ami person as their guest)
A festival marking the end of the rice
harvest among Taiwan’s indigenous
people, the Ami, this celebration can
last anywhere from three to seven
days, and sees Ami across 40 villages
dancing and singing to thank their
ancestors for a bountiful year.
Before the festival, young men in
the village spend the night catching
river fish to prepare for the banquet. At
the beginning of the festival, ancestral
spirits are welcomed to the community
with dancing and singing. They are
sent off in a similar ceremony at the
end of the festival.
In the past, the former ceremony
was conducted exclusively by men,
while the latter was conducted
exclusively by women. Dancing is done
by holding hands in a circle. The main
purpose of the festival is to pass down
FESTIVAL MUST-SEE: AMI HARVEST FESTIVAL
Ta i w a n
indigenous traditions to the younger
generations, and bring the community
together to strengthen familial bonds.
The Ami also pray to the spirits of their
ancestors and ask them for blessings
for the coming year.
Village elders perform traditional
dances, while the younger generation
often combines traditional songs
and dance moves with modern pop.
Banquets with indigenous specialties
and millet wine are common. In certain
villages, coming-of-age rites are held
concurrently for young men.
Games and competitions are held
within each village, encouraging
single members to look for potential
partners. During the dances, men
wear a colourful bag slung over their
shoulders, in which a woman will place
a betel nut as an indication of interest.TAIWANHualienTaitungPingtung37