Tuban Village is a Paiwan community in Daren Township, Taitung County, home to the only Five-Year Festival (Maljeveq) among all Paiwan tribes that has continued uninterrupted since records began in 1913. The most recent Maljeveq was held from October 21 to 25, 2023. The village's slate house complex is well preserved, making it an essential fieldwork site for understanding Paiwan culture.
Tuban Village is located in Daren Township, Taitung County. It is the only Paiwan community in eastern Taiwan to hold the Maljeveq Five-Year Festival, uninterrupted since records began in 1913. The most recent ceremony took place from October 21 to 25, 2023.
Highlights of Tuban Village
Tuban Village is located in the mid-mountain area of Tuban Creek in Taimali Township, about 20 kilometers from Taimali town center, at an elevation of roughly 300 to 500 meters. Traditional slate houses are built with shale; the thick walls keep interiors warm in winter and cool in summer, and some residences are still occupied by tribal members today. In the traditional spatial layout, the chief's house stands at the heart of the community, decorated with hundred-pacer snake motifs that embody the Paiwan hierarchical culture.
Maljeveq, the Five-Year Festival, is a major ceremony in which the Paiwan summon ancestral spirits to descend. It centers on the pole-spearing ritual. During the ceremony, tribal members wear traditional dress, and outsiders are prohibited from photographing certain ritual segments. The most recent Five-Year Festival follows the customary five-year interval; for the exact year and dates, please confirm with the Taimali Township Office or the village chief's office. When visiting the village, obtain permission in advance, follow community rules, and do not enter the chief's house or ritual spaces uninvited.
How to make the most of your visit
Practical information
Getting there & time
- From Taitung City, head south along Provincial Highway 9 to Taimali, then turn onto County Road 550 up the mountain — about 1 hour in total. The mountain road has sharp bends; driving is recommended.
- The village is open for visits during regular hours. During the Five-Year Festival, visitor numbers increase significantly; contact the village in advance to confirm reception arrangements.
Nearby connections
- The Taimali Township coastline is a well-known site for watching the New Year's first sunrise. From the town center, the mountain route and coastal route can be combined into a half-day itinerary.
- Jialan Village, a Paiwan community in Jinfeng Township, is in the neighboring area and can be included in a Paiwan cultural-themed itinerary.
Sources: Taimali Township Office; Council of Indigenous Peoples, Paiwan Five-Year Festival cultural materials. Photos pending Dio's on-site photography.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which township is Tuban Village in?
Tuban Village is in Daren Township, Taitung County.
How often is the Five-Year Festival held?
Maljeveq is held once every five years, and Tuban Village has never interrupted it since records began in 1913.
When was the most recent Five-Year Festival?
The most recent was held from October 21 to 25, 2023.
Sources
- 百年守護五年祭的土坂部落｜微笑台灣 — 行政區（達仁鄉）與五年祭歷史
- 百年未曾中斷！土坂部落maljeveq五年祭10/21~25登場｜自由時報 — 2023年五年祭日期