TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The World Indigenous Traditional Games Meet kicked off in Laiyi Township, Pingtung County (屏東縣來義鄉) on Wednesday (Dec. 10). This event marks a historic first for Taiwan, as the country hosts an international-level sporting event for Indigenous peoples. With the theme of 'Weaving Indigenous Peoples Worldwide', the event brings together Austronesian peoples from North America, Southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand, and Pacific Island nations, as well as Indigenous communities from around the world. Participants compete in 10 traditional events, such as archery, wood sawing, and music and dance.
Philippine representatives faced a hurdle when customs confiscated arm and head ornaments made from rooster feathers on Dec. 7. They sought help from Taiwanese friends to replace the items. A Taiwanese anthropology graduate student named Yang quickly mobilized support through Threads, a social media platform. Within three hours, Taiwanese netizens donated 100 rooster feathers, showcasing their enthusiasm and unique diplomacy.
A netizen studying Tahitian dance, who also needed feathers for costumes, facilitated the exchange at a Kaohsiung MRT station. They offered further support if needed. The Philippine team gathered other performance elements through borrowed items. The Taiwan Indigenous Peoples Cultural Park provided millet ears in place of rice ears, and Philippine indigenous workers in Taiwan lent gongs. The Philippine team completed their performance. Member Ezrah Allysa Ananayo expressed gratitude to Yang and the online community, stating their hope for cultural exchange and mutual learning during this visit.