QMPAH in Ciyakang

The old name for Ciyakang Village was Rangah Qhuni, meaning the open tree hole. The name reflects how the narrow upper reaches of Ciyakang River suddenly opens up like branchefs on a big tree. In 2021, a group of tribal youths with years of experience in local development established Akay Life Natural, the first youth start-up in Wanrung Township. Team members combine their field research experience with tribal history, crafts and agronomics culture to design a series of experience tours. The tours aim to introduce every visitor to Ciyakang as well as promote the development of traditional culture and local revitalization. Come and play with Akay Life Natural, and live a new natural life!

“Qmpah” means labor and work in the Taroko language. The 2023 Ciyakang Village Learning Workshop was organized by youths from AKAY dedicated to the preservation of local heritage and tribal industries. Volunteers drew on the experience and skills of local craftsmen to build a ramie dyeing and weaving lodge. The lodge not only serves as a space for the display and storage of ramie but also hopes to introduce every visiting traveler to the culture and crafts of the Taroko Tribe.
With the help of workshop partners, expectations were met and the dream of Ciyakang came true. By working together, strong bonds were built with the village and it became like a second home to the volunteers.

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  The Young Artist Slash Chairman! APYANG, the “Prodigal Son!”

  Baby-faced Apyang is a straight talker, winner of multiple literary awards, and the chairman of AKAY Life Natural. Apyang spent many years studying in northern Taiwan before completing his military service and returning home. He has been actively involved in various tribal affairs such as farming, weaving, and field research since then. A soul as simple and crystal-clear as Qingshui River, he says, “My goal is 100 out of 100!" You can sense his pride as a member of the Taroko tribe in everything he does. Let’s go on a walk-study tour with Apyang and take a humorous look at Ciyakang!

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  AKAY’s Jack of All Trades – Chihming, the “Doraemon of Ciyakang”

  “Hey, Chihming!” “Chihming, my man!” is what you’ll constantly hear if you hang out in the village. Chihming is like the Doraemon of Ciyakang. He knows quite a bit about pig-farming and growing vegetables, and is an expert carpenter, plumber, and electrician. He is AKAY’s very own jack of all trades! A hard worker you can rely on, Chihming always seems to be busy somewhere. He’ll take charge of this workshop and lead everyone in the construction effort. You should use this opportunity to learn about one of Ciyakang’s secret heroes!

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  Weaving the Way Home – YAWAS, the “Weaver Girl of Taroko”

  Yawas has lived in the tribal village all her life. She started learning about weaving from tribal elders when she was 20. She even weeded, tilled and planted ramie in the farm with her own hands. She started learning about weaving from scratch. Yawas is always full of energy. An expert in everything from cooking to harvesting bamboo, Yawas is using her very own women power to promote the traditional crafts of the land she grew up on so that she can weave a road home for the whole tribe.

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  Building a Ramie Dyeing and Weaving Lodge

  The lodge is the starting point for learning about tribal life. The lodge serves many purposes. It can be used for resting from farmwork, and is a place where villagers connect with each other. Let’s build a ramie dyeing and weaving lodge with our own hands for this workshop! We’ll start with the display and storage where the processing, dyeing and weaving of ramie fibers takes place. The lodge will become an important bastion for learning about dyeing/weaving culture and knowledge one day.

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  Everyday Bamboo Fragrance

  This year, volunteer partners will join Akay in going up the mountain to practice collecting and sawing bamboo. Bamboo is very important to the Taroko people, whether for cooking bamboo rice or as a material for bulding houses. In order to harvest bamboo, there must first be land for growing bamboo and people that know how to look after bamboo, forming a tight-knit industry. Come and learn about the cultural importance of Makino Bamboo to the Taroko, and experience the bounty of Mother Nature!

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  Collaboration, Sharing and Brotherhood

  Apyang says that the lodge will be built using modern techniques this time, rather than the traditional way. Just like old culture is now being transliterated by modern youths, contemporary building techniques will be used to build a venue for the passing on of cultural legacy. More important, partners that take part will work alongside tribespeople. The sweat dropping from their brows will transform in a sense of achievement upon completion – “Hey, we built this house together!”