Paiwan Writer Inspiring a New Generation of Hunters - Wandering Words
Ahronglong Sakinu (亞榮隆・撒可努) is the Paiwan writer leading an Austronesian cultural revival in Lalaulan village. “Hunter School”, is a book he celebrates not only in Taiwan, but also internationally. The work is now listed as compulsory reading in the Applied Chinese material at Harvard and the Chinese Department at Colombia university. In Paiwan, a hunter is more than someone who hunts. The word signifies someone who can communicate with the land and nature while still understanding the language of the modern world. Sakinu was inspired to begin writing following the Indigenous March for Dignity in 1980s Taiwan. He draws heavily from cultural traditions, paying tribute to his father’s skill as a hunter and the stories his Vuvu (grandmother) shared with him. A major focal point are the fascinating changes in nature and the challenges of life in the village. Tom enjoys a special visit to this accomplished writer, speaker, and mentor who has dedicated himself to passing on ancient wisdom of the Paiwan culture. He seeks to empower the next generation to embrace their identity and explore nature’s wonders.
