A History of the catholic mission in orchid island: research based on tribal memories

• Main Authors: Sinan-Jyavizong, 席萳˙嘉斐弄
• Other Authors: 張駿逸
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/p935ps

碩士 === 國立政治大學 === 民族研究所 === 96 === Précis of Thesis Orchid Island is an isolated island southeast of Taiwan in the Pacific Ocean, inhabited by the Tao people (formerly called Yami). The Tao are an Austronesian people. Their language and culture are very similar to those of the Batan Islanders in the north of the Philippines. These two groups are linguistically and anthropologically homogeneous, though they are now politically divided. There are two traditions of their origin: one claims that they originate from rock; the other that they originate from bamboo. But in the village of Ivalino there is a tradition that they came from Batan Island, which is a sign of the close relationship between the Tao of Orchid Island and the Batan Islanders. The Tao are an oceanic people. There is a great controversy over their conception of God. What is certain, however, is their fear of ‘anito’. ‘Anito’ is the collective term for all evil forces and is often interpreted as referring solely to spirits of the deceased, but this usage is overly restricted. The belief of the Tao concerning ghosts is reflected in their traditional celebrations throughout the year, especially the yearly Meyvanwa (Calling the flying fish), Pazos (Offering to God and the ancestors), as well as the traditional name-giving ceremony, the inauguration ceremony of a new house, the launching of a new boat and the burial ritual, which is full of taboos. The advent of Christianity has brought radical changes to the lives of the Tao, especially with the introduction in 1954 of the Catholic Church through Fr. Alfred Giger. The influence of Fr. Giger was thorough and far-reaching. Though generally people believe that the spread of the Catholic Church to Orchid Island was effected through the attraction of the Church’s distribution of relief goods, yet this is only a superficial understanding. The key factor was the way the Tao perceived the Catholic faith and the way they adapted to it. The Catholic Church has also adapted in this process. This ongoing understanding and adaptation of the Tao to the progressing Church is a process that is still going on. While the Catholic missionaries who arrived on Orchid Island built churches and baptized people, they were also men of vision, who formed the Tao whilst respecting their local culture. The Catholic Church contributed towards the development of the tribe, especially by strengthening the self-confidence of the people, encouraging a renaissance of their culture, handing down the tribal language, education, raising the status of women as well as promoting ecumenism between the Christian Churches. However, the Catholic Church’s position on celibate religious vocations, self-support, and opposition to divorce led it to conflict with Tao culture. There are also difficulties in ensuring religious education of the youth. Continued attention should be given to the future of the interaction of the Tao and the Catholic Church to see where it will lead. Key words: Tao people, Christianity, Cultural renaissance.