Taiwanese Indigenous Music Essentials

Taiwan’s indigenous peoples may only make up 2 percent of the island’s population, but their voices—shaped by cultures passed down through the generations—are a powerful force in music. It wasn’t only ancient vocal traditions that caught the world’s attention. Younger indigenous artists, embracing different pop styles and genres, were also reconnecting with their musical roots through lyrics in their native tongues. While rich and varied, all Indigenous music traditions share a common trait: the transmission of culture and values through song, songs that sing of shared experiences which span anything between solemn hunting ceremonies or harvest celebrations, and profound expressions of a deep-seated respect for Mother Nature.