Tafalong Village

Tafalong is an Amis community in eastern Guangfu Township, Hualien County, situated where Provincial Highway 11A (Guangfeng Road) meets County Road 193; the community's name comes from the Amis word "Afalong," referring to a species of land crab once common in the area. The community is known for its red glutinous rice (katepa'ay) farming tradition and woodcarving art, and its most important annual ceremony, the Ilisin harvest festival, is typically held in August.

The name Tafalong derives from the Amis word "Afalong," referring to a species of land crab once abundant in the area (per Wikipedia). The community's staple crop, red glutinous rice (katepa'ay), has been passed down for generations and was traditionally the main food for Amis women during postpartum confinement. The original Red Glutinous Rice Life Hall in the village was destroyed by fire in 2025; the operating team reopened under a new name as an indigenous restaurant within the grounds of Guangfu Sugar Factory in late March 2026. The community's woodcarvings are mostly displayed inside the Kakitaan ancestral house, depicting Amis myths such as the glowing girl and the great flood. The annual Ilisin harvest festival, the community's most important ceremony, is typically held around the third week of August.

Highlights of Tafalong Village

Tafalong (Amis: Tafalong) is located around Daquan Village in Guangfu Township and is a northern group community of the Amis (Pangcah) people, who have long sustained themselves through farming and fishing and hunting. After Japanese colonial agricultural policies were introduced, the community began cultivating paddy rice, while red glutinous rice was retained as a traditional ceremonial grain and survives to this day. The community has a cultural center that displays traditional Amis skills in weaving, rattan braiding, and ceramics, and also exhibits woodcarving artworks.

Tafalong woodcarving draws on totems and tribal mythology as its subject matter, with fine, detailed craftsmanship that is representative of Amis woodcarving art. Every summer (approximately July to August), the community holds the Ilisin harvest festival, during which community members in traditional dress perform songs and dances to give thanks to the ancestors — the most important ceremonial event of the year. Red glutinous rice wine and processed food products made from red glutinous rice are also distinctive local souvenirs unique to the community.

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Sources: Community cultural center public information; indigenous cultural materials from the Ministry of Culture. Photos pending replacement with Dio's own photography.