Page 64 - Marine Research

The Social and Ecological Implications of the Sea Ritual

among the 'Amis People on the East Coast of Taiwan

Futuru C.L. Tsai

Associate Professor, Department of Public and Cultural Affairs, National Taitung University

ABSTRACT

The sea ritual represents the relationship between the ‘Amis people and the
sea, which includes the entanglements among social, cultural and ecological
knowledge therein. This essay explores the implications of the sea riotuals among
four ‘Amis indigenous communities, including Makota’ay, Torik, A'tolan, and
Falangaw. The correlation between the ‘Amis people in the coastal area and the sea
more than simply indicates the ‘Amis people’s belief of the maritime cosmic view.
The belief actually implies that the ‘Amis people in the coastal area regard the
ocean and land as a whole, and rely on the ecological and environmental knowledge
system for subsistence also has the function of confirming the gender and ethical
social relationship of the ‘Amis community, forming a complex marine knowledge
system integrating cultural, social and ecological aspects.

東海岸阿美族海祭的社會與生態意涵

Keywords: ‘Amis, Sea ritual, near-shore marine ecology, marine culture, age
organization.

* Corresponding author, E mail: futuru.tsai@gmail.com

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