Central News Agency Report

(CNA reporter Lu Ta-cheng, Taitung County, June 17) The Tao people of Lanyu have built a 20-person plank canoe named 'Golden Friendship No.' and set sail on June 15 on a journey of ancestral reunion, traveling from Lanyu to Batanes in the Philippines. They retraced a maritime route used 300 years ago, braving strong Kuroshio currents and headwinds. The vessel took on significant water and was temporarily towed by a Philippine ship, but arrived safely on the evening of June 16.

Yami Island (Mavudis Island), the northernmost island of the Batanes group in the Philippines, lies about 100 kilometers from Lanyu. According to oral history, the ancestors of Lanyu's Tao people migrated from Batanes along the Kuroshio Current. For generations, the two communities maintained close exchanges through trade, marriage, and migration. However, due to historical misunderstandings, contact was severed 300 years ago. Despite this, around 60% of their languages remain mutually intelligible to this day.

The 'Golden Friendship No.' was jointly built by Taiwan's Council of Indigenous Peoples, the Foundation of Indigenous Peoples' Culture, and the six tribes of the Tao (Yami) people of Lanyu. On June 15, it departed Lanyu for Batanes, retracing the ancestral route against the powerful Kuroshio Current, and arrived safely on the evening of June 16.

Maraos, chairman of the Foundation of Indigenous Peoples' Culture and a participant in the voyage, told CNA via message that shortly after departure, the canoe encountered strong southwest winds and waves about 2 kilometers west of Xiaolan Islet, hindering progress and causing severe hull flooding. At that point, the team debated whether to initiate towing operations.

After discussion, they decided to press on. Morale remained high and speed increased. However, as they approached the first island of Batanes in the Bashi Strait, they faced even stronger southwest swells and gale-force winds reaching Beaufort Scale 7, with 4-meter waves crashing over the vessel. The 'Golden Friendship No.', which was being towed, took on so much water that nearly 80% of the hull was submerged. Though there were no injuries, concerns over structural damage led to a decision to stabilize and tow the vessel continuously.

After being towed overnight, the Philippine Coast Guard vessel urgently towed the 'Golden Friendship No.' into Mahatao Port at 10 a.m. on June 16. After pumping out water and inspection, no major structural damage was found. Repairs and reinforcement were completed successfully, and the canoe was then rowed into port by a second crew for customs clearance.

The final leg was powered by rowers from the Yuren (Yami) tribe. Over 300 Batanes residents gathered onshore to welcome them with overwhelming enthusiasm. The atmosphere was electric, and exchanges were vibrant. That evening, locals hosted a banquet to welcome the 'Lanyu kin' back to Batanes.

Fellow tribal members noted that the welcome banquet’s food was 90% similar to that of Lanyu. Not only are the languages alike, but the cuisines are nearly identical—confirming elders’ oral histories that 'Lanyu and Batanes share the same bloodline.'

Maraos stated that the 'Golden Friendship No.' will remain in Batanes for a six-month exhibition. Afterwards, the Batanes community will independently sail it back to Lanyu next year to continue cultural exchanges. (Edited by Chang Ya-ching) 1150617

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  • Source: CNA (Central News Agency)
  • Category: Event