The traditions of Tao

We all know that sumo wrestlers only wear a length of cloth on their crotch, but do you know why Tao’s men also wear like that?
Before we talk about this question, let’s learn more about Tao. The Tao people, also known as the Yami people, are the only aboriginal ethnic group in Taiwan whose main traditional settlements are located on the outlying islands of Taiwan. They have a marine culture, with great ritual and spiritual significance placed on boat-building and fishing. When it comes to Tao, we must talk about tatala. Tatalas are extremely important instruments on living and traditional events for Tao people. They are made of several boards, smaller Tatalas are made of 21 boards while bigger ones need 27 boards. Every Tatala has a totem in the shape of an eye on their bow and stern. It is believed that it can guide the boat in the sea and disperse disasters.
Apart from the Tatalas, Tao’s clothes also have some totems. The traditional clothing of Tao’s women would include a shawl, a short skirt and a rope. On the shawl were stripes in black, blue and white, it was called nyozitan na ayob. The Taos think the nyozitan na ayob could protect their souls and ward off evils. Tao men’s clothing is very different from women’s, they wear a vest with blue and white color and a length of cloth on their crotch. The reason why they wear this way is because of the job they do. Most of the Tao’s men are fishermen who have to work on the sea under scorching sun lights. If they wear too much, water will soak their pants and let them get heavier, the hot and humid weather will also discomfort them. So it is necessary for them to wear less.
Besides the aforementioned traditions, there are still a lot of things that we haven’t talked about like the underground house or myths and legends. Undoubtedly, all of the traditions of Tao are indispensable and precious for Taiwan.

Reference

[1]維基百科（2024）。達悟族。取自 https://zh.wikipedia.org/zh-tw/達悟族
[2]蘭嶼．人之島（2023）。達悟的拼板舟。取自 https://travel.lanyu.info/tao-culture/達悟的拼板舟
[3]張靈、那牧特、蕭祺等（2015）。Ayob no tao 最好的衣服。952 vazay tamo 第三期。