草稿:Tatuk

Taroko Tatuk The Taroko people, known locally as Seediq-Truku people, are one of the indigenous tribes of eastern Taiwan. And tatuk is their traditional percussion instrument. Resembling a xylophone, it consists of several wooden slats of varying lengths laid atop a wooden frame. Performers strike the slats with two wooden or bone mallets, producing clear, rhythmic tones. More than a musical instrument, the tatuk is a symbol of communication, identity, and cultural continuity.

Meaning of the name

The name "Tatuk" has the related lexeme "Tattok" because of its pronunciation. And "Tattok" fundamentally means "a knocking" is. It refers not only to the sound but also to the act and rhythm of signaling or playing music in communal and ceremonial contexts.

History and Origin

origin and initial usage

Taroko tatuk first appeared from Cyakang,the tribe,where situated in Hualien. During Japanese colony,the taroko people often used tatuk during the multiple occasions,such as signaling success in hunting or battle,delivering messages between Truku tribes or families,inviting villagers to communal feasts,and even being accompanied with weddings and courtship rituals,ect.

legendary

There were also some saying goes that during Japanese colony,Japanese government developed the policy called 山地平地化政策,wanted taroko people to move from their mountain homeland to the plain to govern them easier.While them didn't want to follow their rules and policies,choosing to have rebellions.Accordingly,they used tatuk to communicate with others that the position of Japanese.For instance,when japanese went into the mountain,they would play the tatuk from lower to higher pitch.

Comparison

1.Traditionally seen as a masculine activity,while now both genders participate in.

2.Once tatuk was made with bamboo but modern versions are exclusively wooden.

3.Truku people were thought as same as Atayal people, and then Government recognized Truku as a distinct aboriginal group in 2004, partly due to their musical identity like tatuk.

Playing Method

Taroko tatuk can be played by striking its wooden bar with the beaters and can be played kneeling or standing. In terms of the number of performers, It can be performed solo or ensemble. It can also perform both modern and traditional style music. When performing modern music, tatuk is often accompanied by another instrument such as a piano or congo drums. Traditionally, tatuk often be played at festivals, weddings or purely staged performances（for example, Warrior Song）. When harvest festivals, Children will also play tatuk to create joyful and energetic sounds.

Fundamental knowledge of playing

• Taroko Tatuk has only four notes：D, E, G and A
• Hold the beaters at its center. When striking, allow it to bounce back naturally.

Basic Rhythm, Beat

Rhythm

• 菊花: One beat of A, followed by three half-beats of G, and ends with a beat of E.
• 菊花頭: Add four beats of D after the 菊花 rhythm.

Beat

• 跑馬: Play one full beat with the right hand, then a half-beat with the right hand followed by a half-beat with the left hand. This pattern can be repeated infinitely, forming a sequence like: right–right–left, right–right–left, and so on.

Cultural and Ritual Significance

Traditionally, the tatuk played a multifaceted role in the cultural life of the Truku people of Taiwan. Beyond its musical function, the instrument was historically used as a communication tool in tribal settings, particularly before modern technology. Specific rhythmic patterns performed on the tatuk served as a form of signaling across distances, allowing for the transmission of messages within and between communities.

The tatuk also served as a medium for cultural transmission. It was often used to accompany Truku folksongs, which are rich in ancestral knowledge and values. In this way, the act of musicking with the tatuk functioned as a form of oral history and identity preservation, embedding social memory into sound.

The instrument held significant ritual and social value, especially during key life events. One traditional example involves wedding ceremonies, where the groom would carry the bride on his back across mountainous terrain while the tatuk was played to signal and celebrate the event. Such practices reinforced community identity and social cohesion, marking important life transitions through music.

Historically, playing the tatuk was predominantly a male activity, while women were traditionally responsible for weaving. These roles mirrored broader gender divisions within Truku society. However, in contemporary times, both men and women participate in playing the tatuk, reflecting evolving cultural norms and a shift toward greater gender inclusivity in traditional practices.

In modern contexts, the tatuk remains an important cultural symbol. It is regularly featured in performances at Taroko National Park, where Truku musicians use it to engage both local audiences and tourists. The instrument is often paired with others, such as the gaugau (Jew’s harp), in ensemble settings that blend music with storytelling, showcasing the resilience and adaptability of Truku cultural expressions.

Current Status and Preservation

Taroko tatuk in Taroko National Park 太魯閣国家公園

Taroko National Park[1] preserves not just the natural environment, but also Truku culture and music. At Buluowan, a cultural area inside the park, there will be exhibitions of Truku arts and crafts, multimedia shows about the ecology and Truku traditions,live performances by Truku musicians, and workshops to teach locals how to make and sell instruments. Every second weekend, traditional music is performed in front of the visitor center. For example, there would be the Truku wedding play accompanied by the Taroko tatuk xylophone. These performances let tourists experience the music and culture of Taroko people. However, the park also places restrictions on hunting and tree-cutting, which affects local traditions. The park has a duty to support job opportunities and cultural programs for the Truku people.

Taroko tatuk and Isolated preservation

Isolated preservation happens when traditional instruments are stored in museums, not used in daily life. Currently, Taroko tatuk xylophones are dislayed at the Ethnographic Artefacts Exhibition Room at National Taiwan University[2], and the Museum of the Institute of Ethnology, Academia Sinica[3]. Some claim these museums display aboriginal instruments as historical objects. Instruments are treated as something from the past, rather than tools for living music traditions. Isolated preservation was even descriebed as exhibitions of instruments as“war trophies” or idealized images of the past. Also,the true meaning and use of the instruments are questioned as instruments have been removed from their original environment through isolated preservation.

Reference

Sowmaw Lowking (2020). 生活說族語 , 太魯閣語, Tatuk 木琴. [online] YouTube. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5t1A7a8Rds [Accessed 11 Jun. 2025].

教育部原住民及少數族群教育科 (2014). 木琴教學. [online] YouTube. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvX4bTWnbDA [Accessed 11 Jun. 2025].

屬於臺灣人的文化寶庫｜國家文化記憶庫2.0 (2018). 支亞干部落／Ciyakang. [online] 國家文化記憶庫 2.0. Available at: https://tcmb.culture.tw/zh-tw/detail?id=595993&indexCode=Culture_Place.

Taroko National Park World Wide Web-English Version. (n.d.). Taroko National Park World Wide Web-English Version. [online] Available at: https://www.taroko.gov.tw/en/.

國立臺灣大學人類學系 -. (2025). Introduction - 國立臺灣大學人類學系. [online] Available at: https://anthro.ntu.edu.tw/en/introduction-2/ [Accessed 11 Jun. 2025].

中央研究院民族學研究所 (2025). 中研院民族所. [online] Sinica.edu.tw. Available at: https://www.ioe.sinica.edu.tw/?SiteID=6d0e3b6b-4623-45b4-ba6e-395e3b79eae0 [Accessed 11 Jun. 2025].

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