Cinedkeran boats are the traditional hand-built plank canoes of the Tao people on Taiwan's Orchid Island, assembled from 21 planks for a small boat or 27 for a large one and carved with geometric patterns; each year before the flying fish season, individual communities hold the mivanwa fish-calling ceremony around February to March, the most important ocean ritual in Tao culture.
Tao cinedkeran boats come in two sizes: small boats assembled from 21 planks and large boats from 27 planks; the mivanwa fish-calling ceremony is held annually between February and March, with the exact date decided independently by each of Orchid Island's communities based on ocean current observations and community council decisions, rather than on a single island-wide date (per Lanyu Blue Gate and the Taiwan Indigenous Peoples Information Resource Network).
Highlights of Cinedkeran Boat Culture
Orchid Island lies in the Pacific Ocean to the southeast of Taitung County and is the traditional territory of the Tao people (officially referred to as Yami). Six communities are distributed around the island's perimeter. The cinedkeran (tatala) is the core of Tao ocean culture, hand-crafted from natural woods such as Taiwan mastic (longan wood). Large cinedkeran can seat 8 to 10 people; the boat-building craft is passed down orally from master to apprentice, and a large vessel can take months to complete.
Each year around March to April, before the flying fish season, individual communities hold the Mavanuo ceremony. Tribal members dress in traditional loincloths and ceremonial hats, launch the decorated cinedkeran into the water, and chant ritual songs along the shore to invite the flying fish to come. Flying fish are a crucial protein source for the Tao, and there are strict traditional rules governing how they are caught, processed, and eaten. When visiting Orchid Island, please observe Tao customs: do not enter the boat house (boat shelter) without invitation, do not touch or photograph the cinedkeran without permission, and respect the privacy and traditional territory of tribal members. To reach Orchid Island you must take a ferry or small plane; check official sources for schedules, monitor weather-related disruptions, and always confirm conditions before traveling.
How to make the most of your visit
Practical information
Getting there & time
- From Fugang Fishing Harbor in Taitung, take a ferry (about 2 to 2.5 hours) or a small plane from Taitung Airport (about 25 minutes). Check ferry company or Da'an Airlines websites for schedules and tickets; services may be suspended in bad weather. It is strongly advisable to build flexibility into your travel days.
- Accommodation and dining options on Orchid Island are limited. During the peak season (July to August), book rooms one to two months or more in advance — plan early.
Nearby connections
- The Orchid Island Tianchi Lake hike requires a full day; it can be scheduled separately from cinedkeran culture visits, or the two can be combined in a 2–3 day island loop itinerary.
- The nuclear waste storage facility issue is an important contemporary political concern for Orchid Island; understanding the background helps visitors gain a more complete picture of the challenges facing the Tao people.
Sources: Council of Indigenous Peoples, Tao cultural materials; Orchid Island Tribal Cultural Foundation. Photos pending Dio's on-site photography.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many planks make up a cinedkeran boat?
Small boats are assembled from 21 planks and large boats from 27 planks, all handcrafted.
When is the mivanwa ceremony held?
It is held annually around February to March, with the exact date decided independently by each community.
What should visitors keep in mind when observing this culture?
Do not enter a boat house without an invitation, and do not touch or photograph a cinedkeran without permission.
Sources
- 達悟族拼板舟－太平洋上的藝術傑作 — 蘭色大門，拼板舟木板數量說明
- 招魚祭-達悟族 — 台灣原住民族資訊資源網，招魚祭時間說明