Almost Hawaiian

[anak1]

Its similar because the Taiwanese aborigines are Austronesian peoples! If you go to the Philippines, Indonesia/Malaysia, Madagascar, Micronesia or Polynesia the languages, peoples and basic cultures are all somewhat related! Anthropologists have traced their origins back to Taiwan. By the way, was that song in Paiwan language??

[ashieng]

Yes you are right about all that.

About your question:

The song is by Biung (Wang Hong-en) who is a Bunun. The language of the song is also Bunun.

Thanks for your interested. I'm happy to answer any and all questions.

[undacovaBrudah06]

yes but there are similarities between any culture. You can't rely on an anthropologists pin-pointing where we exactly come from. their evidence is not evident enough to prove their theory. We are great navigators, so it wouldn't of been a surprise if we navigated from Asia to America or to wherever. It's like saying the Peruvian culture is exactly the same as the Egyptian culture. Yet they're not related. Same can be said for Polynesians.

[anak1]

I understand what u are sayin, but u should check out the wikipedia entry for austronesian languages. i'd guess the Austronesian aborigines in Taiwan are somewhat influenced by the Chinese who are the main population there now, but if u go to the Philippines, Indonesia or East Timor, u wouldnt be able to tell whether u were in "Southeast Asia" or "Oceania" if u compare how they talk, dress or their culture. those labels mean nothing to the people, because people are who and what they are.

[undacovaBrudah06]

Well wikipedia would be a last resort to research information. The information provided on wikipedia are from average people at home sitting on the computer uploading the information they think is suitable. I think it's wrong to claim that we are descended from South Asians because yes indeed we come from Asia but not from the modern Asians we see now. We are descended from our own race which we trace back from our oral traditions

[lerinhar]

You are right undacovaBrudah06, wikipedia isnt always a reliable source for stating facts. On the other hand anak1 is correct about the Malay(Filipino,Indonesian,Mala­ysian,Madagascar), Polynesian,Micronesian people being Austronesian are distantly related and originate from Taiwan. There are encyclopedias and many reliable sources that can back that information up.

[lerinhar]

In regards to the Polynesians; linguistic,cutural, and physiognomical features trace Polynesians back to Taiwan. The most consistent evidence, however is dna. Dna ultimately supports and proves that Polynesians in fact originate from Taiwan. On the other hand, dna evidence also traces Polynesians back to Melanesia on the Paternal side but other than that Polynesians originate from Taiwan.

[lerinhar]

Now, no one is saying that the Austronesian cultures are identical but mainly the point people are making here is the fact there are still many strong cultural similarities with the native Taiwanese and Polynesians, despite them being isolated from each other several thousands of years!! During that time, many differences are going to occur, partly do contact with other cultures and the other through the length of isolation.

[lerinhar]

As far as Native Americans there is not nearly as much evidence to prove that Polynesians are any where near realted to them.

[blackjamm]

In fact, there is no real evidence at all. There is the Quechua/east Polynesian word for "sweet potato", "kumara", being the same; but that is considered most likely to be Polynesians making it to the Americas than Americans making it out onto the Pacific proper.  If anyone is really, really interested in Austronesian ocean exploration, they should go to the Museum of Prehistory in Taidong in Taiwan - there is an exhibition on atm. Oh, and the styles in Taidong are clearly Austronesian.

[mamoahina]

I agree w/ undacova...nowhere near ka hula at all.

[ashieng]

yes, you're right. Once again, people around the world generally don't know that Taiwan exists let alone the Aboriginal cultures here. Whereas Hawaii is very famous and songs and hulas are well known. So, once again, the title "Almost Hawaiian" was meant to generate some attention even though I realize that the cultures (although related) are distant.

[undacovaBrudah06]

Yes but that's only one side of the story. Polynesians are a vast mixture of Ethnicities including Malay,Amerindian and Melanesian. There's no denying Polynesians came from South East Asia but at the same time there's evidence building to prove gateways for Polynesian entry from countries such as the coast of Canada and Peru.

[Lailapupu]

One legend suggests an early migration from the Americas from whence they brought the sweet potato, most likely Peru. Similarities with tribes in Canada and the North West, especially tatoo motifs, weaving patterns etc also suggest root migration or even early contact with Native Americans. Interestingly enough some Native American dna can also be traced to the indigenous tribes of Taiwan.

[ashieng]

I have read about this also. And it seems reasonable. If the Pacific Islanders were such amazing navigators that they reached Hawaii and Easter Island, why not the coast of California and other points along the coasts of the Americas?

[undacovaBrudah06]

Not even near hawaiian! Omg Hawaiian dance is very sacred.

[ashieng]

I just meant that some of the moves look related. And Paiwan people make use of ferns and and flowers as part of their attire. Hmm still not Hawaiian...the people you see, as tuioaotearoa hints, are Austronesian. They are the farthest Austronesians from Hawaii.

[undacovaBrudah06]

Nope I still think the dance is way different. Our Polynesian dances differ in many ways. It's like saying the Hawaiian dance is the same as the Haida American indian women dances.

[Lailapupu]

Actually the Polynesians can trace their dna 4,900 to the Amis/Formosa 'aborigines' living in the coastal areas. There is a documentary made by Polynesians living in New Zealand where they follow their dna traits all the way to Taiwan. The Amis were on Taiwan before the Chinese arrived there. The name of the documentary is called "Made in Taiwan"

[undacovaBrudah06]

Yes I've seen the documentary. Look out for a documentary being filmed in Peru about the culture of Polynesians and also the Canadian Indians who have a vast majority of similarities with Polynesians. It should be out by December I'm just waiting for the confirmation. Worth the wait though!

[TaiwaneseAmerican]

Very good music!!!

[ashieng]

Do you know who that is? Wang Hong-en. He starred in a movie recently called "Fishing Luck". And so far he has about 4 albums out -- songs in Chinese and Bunun. One of Taiwan's brightest musical stars!

[tuioaotearoa]

Good native taiwan music and festival! (austronesian style)