Mgay Bari: An Indigenous Thanksgiving Festival by Truku People｜Wish You Were Here

by Panzer
Hey guys, we are on...
Truku Mgay Bari.
In Taiwan
over 96% of the country's population
are Han Chinese.
While the other 2%
are Taiwan‘s 16 indigenous peoples.
Among them, the population of the Truku people
is approximately 32,000.
Mgay Bari is a thanksgiving festival of the Truku.
And it is usually held during mid-October every year.
And right now
I'm in Wanrung, Hualien
the east of Taiwan.
And this place right here
used to be a really famous logging field.
Now, it's an important village to the Truku
This time I'm gonna attend Mgay Bari
a special festival held to give thanks to the ancestors.
And how's it different from our Thanksgiving?
I don't know.
Do they also prepare special food?
I don't know, but we're gonna find out.
Every year around the harvest
the whole Truku people
make offerings to their ancestral spirits.
They also pray for a satisfying and prosperous life next year.
All the Truku people gather around on the day
of Mgay Bari.
They dance and enjoy food to celebrate this festival.
My friend, Ruka
returned to his hometown seven years ago.
He's a cultural worker
a village leader
and even a stage performer.
Along with his family
we are going to make preparations for Mgay Bari.
Go...Get in!
Wow, ride in the back?