Social Culture of South Zou Lhaalua in Taiwan An Example of Tao-yuan Country, Kaohsiung County

• Main Authors: Chien-jung Lai, 賴建戎
• Other Authors: none
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2004
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/nbfwd6

碩士 === 國立臺南大學 === 台灣文化研究所 === 92 === Zou is divided into three tribes, namely Alishan, Kanakanavu and Lhaalua. This paper mainly deals with South Zou, Lhaalua, located in Tao-yuan Country of Kaohsiung County. Nevertheless, with the reduction of activity space, the population gradually decreases, leading to the fact that Lhaalua has become the minority nowadays. This paper, based on Lhaalua social culture, is to discuss its historical background, social organization, ritual and religion, and then further to figure out the cultural development and phenomena in this society. Conclusions have been reached as follows: The original social structure has transformed from inheritable chieftainship into democracy by degree. Kao-Zhong Village is one example. In addition, the capacity to lead the whole society is significant. For instance, the chieftain in Tao-yuan Village plays the leading role in Lhaalua’s social operation. On the other hand, due to geographic closeness and long-standing, harmonious intermarriage with Bunun, the social structure of Lhaalua changes. These elements obviously reflect on the clan, family organization, marriage and relative, deeply and fundamentally affecting Lhaalua’s culture. Language and spouse in Lhaalua’s population organization index can properly interpret Lhaalua’s tendency to Bunun. Furthermore, affected by westen and Han religions, people in Lhaalua tend to accept Han folk religions, which influents their traditional ceremony and social structure. According to these reasons, the system of traditional rituals progressively collapses and the leaders’ capacity for social organization is highly emphasized. Austronesia culture is greatly valued in Taiwan. However, with the changes of time and space, Lhaalua faces a crisis in language inheritance. Also, Lhaalua’s endangered culture is a big issue, which needs the government and cultural researchers to take seriously toward.