◎ Second-year Education Department Student, Chen Chen Su

    The Northern Region College Students Indigenous Language Singing Contest, also known as the“Shi Mu Cup”, has reached its 28th edition this year. This stage has witnessed numerous indigenous students showcasing the unique charm of their cultures. The Cup competition is not only a grand singing competition but also a place for mutual connection and cultural integration. It carries the passion of indigenous students for cherishing and developing their traditional culture. In recent years, our club, Indigenous Yuan Club, has regarded this competition as a significant annual event. We believe that through such a platform, our members can find their place in cultural exploration, experience the emotions of culture through mutual exchange and learning.

    Adhering to the philosophy of “Exploring cultural roots, finding our own direction,” Indigenous Yuan Association prepared a performance this year named “Exploring ‘hmkangi’.” This name encapsulates the profound stories and choices of our people leaving the tribal life to embark on new journeys. “hmkangi” means “searching” in Atayal, symbolizing the constant search for our place and direction in life as students studying in the urban environment. The decision to stay in the city or return to the tribal life often leaves us feeling lost, and this is the central idea we aim to convey through our performance. We hope that the audience can deeply understand the efforts and reflections we put into facing the choices between urban and tribal life, and we anticipate this emotionally sincere performance that allows the audience to feel the complex emotions of being in different cultural environments.

    During the rehearsal process, members delved into various elements of performance to deeply perceive and understand the diverse aspects of Atayal culture, the stories embedded in the songs, and the life attitudes expressed through dance. All of these aspects became integral to our members' sense of cultural identity. In addition to deepening our understanding of culture, the process of continual adjustment and cooperation among the members also built a strong emotional bond. This harmonious atmosphere and the synergy of teamwork not only led to a successful performance but also fostered a deep friendship within the club. It seemed as if, through the preparation for the performance, our members found a home in Taipei—a place that belongs to each of us, a home that we collectively pursue and create.

    On the day of the competition, witnessing the outstanding performances from other schools initially made everyone nervous. However, remembering the hard work and the initial intention of participating in the competition, everyone gathered the courage to step onto the stage, resulting in exceptional performances. For us, this was not just a performance but a journey of self-discovery and cultural exploration. It was an opportunity to delve into indigenous culture, build deeper emotional connections through teamwork, and successfully convey the emotional journey of leaving home, the longing for family while away, and the joy of returning to the tribe. It was a joy to experience this journey together, and it felt as if our members found their own homeland in the city—a place where they can sing, dance, and exchange culture with fellow tribespeople. We hope this home continues to thrive and last forever.