The Sustainability of Paiwan Food Plants

The relationship between Paiwan and their food plants§are examined in terms of the functional roles of food§processing technologies and traditional ceremonies on§the sustainability of Paiwan food plants. Three§specific case studies of Paiwan food plants are§presented as examples of possible outcomes of§changes. The persistence of traditional practices is§not only dependent on finding new cultural meaning to§traditional cultural practice but also the economic§means to create the environment that is conducive to§their continuous existence. The Paiwan are undergoing§a period when they are being challenged to preserve§their cultural identity while at the same time, adapt§to social and economical pressures. In addition, the§village landscapes of several Amis villages in§Hualien County were also surveyed. There is a§significant difference between the Paiwan and Amis in§terms of the number of food plants, or specifically,§ancient food plants found in the villages. This§study has demonstrated that ancient food plant§species composition in a village can be used as an§indicator for cultural identity. The implication is§that village landscape does reflect cultural identity.