Introduction
Prologue: In Memory of the grandparents
In a legendary Paiwan tribe, the field of golden millet waving in the wind came into sight, in which children were expelling the sparrows with sticks. One day, Kurakuraw descended from the heavens to seek his destined girl for marriage. Finally, Muakaikai’s parents approved of their marriage due to his perseverance and sincerity. Before long, an unprecedentedly solemn wedding was held with Kurakuraw’s bracelets and necklaces as betrothal gifts. That became a Paiwan’s romantic tale told on everyone’s lips.
Act One: Search and Encounter
In the rustic tribe, men were doing sculpture while women were winnowing millet. A shimmer of colorful light in the sky blurred the figure of Kurakuraw, who was gazing at the diligent girl with deft hands—Muakaikai.
Suddenly, a huge seeming figure of Kurakuraw with gorgeous feathers, accompanying with the sounds of birdcalls and wing-flapping, dived from the sky to the tribe. Seeing that, the men in the tribe stopped their jobs in hand, trying to evict the intruder. In the middle of the fight, the tribal men found Kurakuraw not ill-disposed, and then ground to a halt. Standing aside, Muakaikai was moved by the cordially adoring expression in Kurakuraw’s eyes, his bravery, as well as the vividly splendorous patterns with him. From then on, her passion for him has ceaselessly grown.
Act Two: Missing and Mission
How could the chief approve their love? He reminded everyone that the tattoos on girls’ hands symbolize skillful needlework, diligence, and chastity. Muakaikai was tortured by facing the dilemma whether to follow the traditional morality or to pursue her love.
Since then, Kurakuraw has watched Muakaikai overhead as if she was under his protection. Since their mutual admiration was not dissuaded, the tribal people decided to set up a series of trials to test him. Through the trials, Kurakuraw convinced the elders in the tribe of his good faith and won the love for Muakaikai with the tribal people’s blessing.
Act Three: Flutter and Farewell
Muakaikai knew that she would be leaving her home and parting with her parents and friends, so she and her friends agreed to gather flowers in the mountains. Meanwhile, Kurakuraw flying in the sky tossed the lilies and weaved a “puselau”, sy mbolic of purity, for Muakaikai. Though reluctant to part with her, the villagers wore the “puselau” for MuakaikaiThen to keep good memories. The tribe pervaded an atmosphere of melancholy and unwillingness. Then, Kurakuraw embraced Muakaikai tightly and flew to the sky. Momentarily, Muakaikai’s tears dropped through the air, with the gorgeous beads cast by Kurakuraw into the tribe.
Gone!
Gone in the clouds!
Farewell, my dear fellowmen….
About Tjimur Dance Theatre
“Tjimur” in Paiwan language pronounced similarly to “Sen-ti-men” in Chinese, is a Paiwan tribe located in Sen-ti-men Township, Ping-tung Prefecture, as a base for the culture of Paiwan Tribe.“Ku-hsin” implies that the new spirit of dance draws the nourishment from the traditional cultures.
Tjimur Dance Theatre, located at the Setjimur Village, San-ti-men Township, Ping-tung Prefecture, was established in April, 2006. It is directed by the founder LiaoYing-Chieh, Artistic Director Liao Yi-Hsin and a budding choreographer Madilin Baru. The company was named after a Paiwan tribe, ’Tijimur’, known as the cradle of Paiwan culture, at San-ti-men Township.. It extends the indigenous culture by promoting the refined art of indigenous dance and music and blending the dance and the daily gestures. As a promising emerging dance company, we hope that the audience will have vivid memories of our brilliant performances.
With a goal of presenting diverse performances, we follow the ancestral customs and exert the modern movements. Also, we actively seek various possibilities for interdisciplinary cooperation between traditional dance and music, theater and other forms of arts, and the outstanding performers making a breakthrough in the dance forms and the modes of production. We intend not only to connect our culture with the world but also to promote the visibility of our culture-- a native strength of Taiwan-- through the newly developed aesthetic perspectives from indigenous dance. Our company is determined and deeply convinced in the pursuit of extraordinary fine art and professional management