◎ 1991 The Legend of the Mountain and the Sea

For aboriginal tribes in Taiwan, songs and dances are an intricate part of their cultures, inseparable from their languages, religions, rites and ceremonies, social structures, and ways of living. An isolated presentation of these songs and dances onstage cannot give a complete picture of aboriginal traditions, but it is our hope that it will serve as an introduction to those rich heritages, as well as further our understanding and appreciation of these cultural treasures.

Mountains refer to the harmonies and songs developed by the aborigines who live in the mountainous valleys, while Seas refer to the diverse dances among the coastal tribes, which are usually as lively and rhythmic as waves in the ocean.

Of the aborigines in Taiwan, the Tsou, Bunun, Atayal, Saisiat, Paiwan and Rukai are mountain tribes; coastal tribes include the Amis, Thao and Yami. Legend of Mountains & Seas features the Tsou tribe which lives in the deep mountains, and the coastal Amis, who belong to the largest aboriginal group in Taiwan. Through the dancers' interpretation of the symbolism, as well as associated images, of mountains and seas, the audience will better understand the living environments, cultural backgrounds and artistic expressions of the aborigines.