Local Revitalization and Culture

The development of the bamboo industry is not only about economic growth but also about preserving and celebrating the cultural heritage tied to bamboo. Makino bamboo holds varied meanings across cultures. In areas like Nanzhuang, it serves as a symbolic boundary between ethnic groups, stretching from high-altitude regions to lower lands, marking territories for the Atayal, Saisiyat, and Hakka communities. For the presenter, Makino bamboo represents both a literal and symbolic boundary between Han Chinese and Indigenous communities.

The Multifaceted Significance of Makino Bamboo

For the Hakka people, Makino bamboo is both a cultural marker and an indispensable material in daily life. It appears in traditional dishes like braised pork with bamboo shoots and is a common material for everyday items such as bamboo baskets, dustpans, and brooms, demonstrating bamboo’s deep-rooted cultural and practical value.

To the Atayal people, Makino bamboo has profound significance and is regarded as a sacred plant closely linked to their migration and livelihood. During each relocation, Atayal ancestors brought Makino bamboo to new settlements, planting it as they settled. It serves as both a material for making tools and as a natural lure for game, making it essential to their way of life. In contrast, the Saisiyat people use Makino bamboo primarily in ritual contexts, such as making bamboo cups for ancestral ceremonies. In daily life, it is often used decoratively, such as in striped patterns, reflecting influences from Han culture and symbolizing the blending of traditions.