2026 Indigenous Education Enhancement Initiative – The Echo Path of Etolan: Indigenous Cultural Festival Series
The Indigenous Student Resource Center of Ming Chi University of Technology Indigenous Student Resource Center organized the “2026 Indigenous Education Enhancement Program – The Echo Path of Etolan: Indigenous Cultural Festival Series” from April 30 to May 20, 2026. Centered on the Pakarongay (Age-Grade System) of the Etolan (Dulan) Amis People, the event featured a series of cultural courses, traditional craft workshops, food and agricultural education activities, ancient songs and dance performances, film appreciation sessions, and cultural exhibitions. Through these diverse learning experiences, the program created an educational environment that integrated culture, learning, and daily life, attracting approximately 250 students, faculty members, and community participants from both within and outside the university.
The festival was designed around the core values of the Etolan Amis age-grade system—collectivity, responsibility, learning, and cultural inheritance. Through a combination of lectures, hands-on workshops, and cultural practices, students were guided to understand how Amis youth develop cultural identity and social responsibility through collective labor, cultural learning, and participation within the traditional age-grade structure.
One of the featured activities, “Traditional Indigenous Bamboo Architecture Experience and Co-Creation of Indigenous Cultural Installation Art,” invited Indigenous artisans to lead students in constructing traditional bamboo structures and cultural-themed installations. Through collaborative building processes and the use of natural materials, participants experienced the Amis cultural spirit of learning and working together, while also creating a culturally meaningful public space on campus.
In the performing arts component, students learned traditional polyphonic singing and ancient chants of the Etolan Amis community. Through vocal training, harmonization, and group rhythm practice, participants gained a deeper appreciation of the collective values and cultural connections embedded within the Amis age-grade system. The program also incorporated a static exhibition showcasing students’ field research findings alongside dynamic performances of traditional music and dance, demonstrating the learning journey from community-based cultural investigation and cultural understanding to artistic expression and cultural presentation.
Overall, the festival successfully transformed the core values of the Etolan Amis age-grade system—collective learning, shared responsibility, and cultural transmission—into practical educational actions within the university setting. Indigenous culture was brought beyond the classroom and into campus public spaces and students’ daily lives, further strengthening the implementation and impact of Indigenous education for all.
Looking ahead, the Center will continue to promote Indigenous cultural activities and remain committed to the preservation, revitalization, and dissemination of Indigenous cultures. Through these efforts, the Center seeks to provide Indigenous students with a more supportive learning environment while creating greater opportunities for future generations of Indigenous peoples to thrive and develop.
For more information, please visit the Student Affairs Office of Ming Chi University of Technology:
Ming Chi University of Technology Student Affairs Office
Image (No. 1) Description: Group Photo of All Participants
Image (No. 2) Description: Presentation of Certificates of Appreciation
Image (No. 3) Description: Event Highlights and Activity Photos
Image (No. 4) Description: Traditional Indigenous Music and Dance Performance
Image (No. 5) Description: Traditional Indigenous Music and Dance Performance
Image (No. 6) Description: Guided Exhibition Tour and Cultural Interpretation
Image (No. 7) Description: Traditional Indigenous Food and Agricultural Education
Image (No. 8) Description: Traditional Indigenous Bamboo Architecture Experience × Co-Creating Indigenous Cultural Installation Art
Image (No. 9) Description: Traditional Amis Messenger Culture Experience
