"pongso no Tao" - The Orchid Island

TAIWAN | Tuesday, 18 November 2014 | Views [403] | View Smaller Image

Before fishing for flying fish can begin, each village will have a traditional ceremony (招魚祭) to ensure good and safe fishing. The elder of the families will wear this helmet（銀盔） made from recycled tin cans or in some case silver coins to frighten away the evil ghosts that may endanger the fishermen or scare the flying fish away.

Tags: upcycle, recycled, evil ghost, flying fish, helmet

Salted and Sun dried, FLYING FISH are the principal protein source for the Tao 達悟 (Yami 雅美) people of Orchid Island. Fishing for these bony flying fish begins around February and continues until about mid September. In the old culture no other deep ocean fish should be eaten during this time, allowing for their populations to endure forever.

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Each Ping-Ban-Zhou (拼板舟) is either an individual or family boat and will be made from 21 or 27 pieces of different woods to ensure strength and durability. Without heavy tools or equipment male family members go into the forest and select the right woods. For example, the center keel section of the Ping-Ban-Zhou requires a particularly hard wood to resist the wear of the island's coral reefs. Great pride is taken by an entire family working together to construct their Ping-Ban-Zhou. Each Ping-Ban-Zhou is carefully carved and painted elaborately with meaningful designs and symbols.
The launching of a new Ping-Ban-Zhou is proceeded by a ceremony that includes taro grown by the female family members. The entire Ping-Ban-Zhou is covered so all catches of fish will fill the boat to maximum capacity in the future fishing seasons.

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"pongso no Tao" - The Orchid Island

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