The Ruby of Southern Paiwan - Gaoshifo Tribe

A white torii gate and shrine facing the Pacific Ocean. The southernmost Paiwan people, the Kuskus Gaoshi Tribe. International events that occurred in Taiwan: The Mudan Incident was triggered by the 1871 Bayao Bay Incident, where fifty-four Miyakojima islanders were killed. The Japanese then used this as an opportunity to spark the 1874 Mudan Incident, a war between indigenous people and the Japanese, involving cooperation, integration, and competition among diverse ethnic groups here. Gaoshi Village is located at the southern end of the Central Mountain Range (on the northeast side of the Hengchun Peninsula), southeast of Mudan Township. To its east, it borders Gangzi Village in Manzhou Township, facing the Pacific Ocean; to its west, it borders Shimen Village in Mudan Township; to its south, it connects to Changle Village; and to its north, it borders Mudan Village. The total area of the village is 25.54 square kilometers, with a population of approximately 711 people in 137 households. The vast majority of villagers are Paiwan indigenous people. From the Japanese colonial era until the KMT government relocated to Taiwan (1946 CE), Gaoshi Village served as the political and religious center for indigenous tribes in Mudan Township. Its jurisdiction encompassed Changle Village, which is now part of Manzhou Township (formerly known as Bayao Tribe), and it had the Gaoshifo police post and public school established. The main population of Gaoshi Community largely consists of members of the Gaoshifo Tribe who historically resided in the Gaoshifo Mountain area. Therefore, whether during prosperous times or with the tribe's current dwindling population, the villagers can often quickly build tribal consensus under the name of the Gaoshi Tribe, making it a truly rare and strong tribe within Paiwan society. The Gaoshi Tribe is surrounded by mountains on all sides, boasting beautiful scenery. It features sunrises in the east, sunsets in the west, and ever-changing 'rain dance' scenes, as well as magnificent views of roaring seas and the Gaoshi stepped valley path. Especially enchanting is the valley path known as the 'Warrior's Path,' from which one can gaze at the sunrise over the Pacific Ocean to the east and admire the beautiful sunset over Dawu Mountain to the west, with the entire village panorama unobstructed. Gaoshi Historical Valley Path Sadjundjung (pronounced Sa-jyong-jyong) — Warrior's Path: According to oral accounts from tribal elders, before the tribe migrated to the current Gaoshi Tribe location, early tribal members first lived on the mountaintop of this ancient path (the old settlement). Since the rice paddies were all located at the foot of the mountain, the path for going back and forth passed through here. The harvested rice was carried from the foot of the mountain to the mountaintop. The steep slope, 'sadjundjung' (pronounced Sa-jyong-jyong), means 'knees touch nose,' and thus its famous name spread. Cultural heritage in the old Gaoshi settlement, Saqecengdj Sa. Cengnan L: If there were a time machine, which era would you want to go back to? E: I want to go back to the old Gaoshi Tribe settlement 500 years ago, Saqacengalj Sa. Cengnan E: Because I want to know how they built their houses! Slate house construction techniques involved utilizing the weight of the stone material itself, using stone tools, and iron tools for precise cutting and stacking techniques, combined with beams. The exact age of the slate houses in the old settlement is unknown due to multiple tribal migrations, and the construction methods and designs have not been passed down. We hope to infer and recreate them through experimental archaeology, thereby reconstructing the slate houses of the Southern Paiwan people, adapted to the geology and topography of the eastern coast of the Hengchun Peninsula.