Puyuma 'tu'tu' Woodcarving Designated National Heritage; Chief Haku Honored as a Living National Treasure

(CNA, Taitung, by reporter Li Hsien-feng, 19th) The "Puyuma tu'tu' woodcarving" has been recognized as a national cultural asset, and Haku, the chief of Jianhe Village, has been honored as a preserver of important traditional crafts (a Living National Treasure). Taitung County Magistrate Jao Ching-ling presented a red banner of congratulations today, noting that this is deeply significant for the preservation of Taitung's indigenous culture. The Taitung County Government stated today that the Ministry of Culture officially announced the registration of "Puyuma tu'tu' woodcarving" as an important traditional craft on the 8th, and recognized Haku (Han name: Chen Wen-sheng), the 69th-generation chief of the Puyuma Jianhe Village (Kasavakan), as a "preserver of important traditional crafts (Living National Treasure)." Jao Ching-ling expressed that Chief Haku is not only an important leader of Jianhe Village but also a significant representative figure in Taiwan's indigenous woodcarving art. For many years, he has used woodcarving to record ancestral culture, myths, hunting, farming, and village life. With each cut and carve, he preserves the historical memory and cultural spirit of his entire tribe. Jao said that cultural heritage preservation is not just about official registration but is a process that requires long-term companionship and joint effort. Her special trip to Jianhe Village to present the red banner was not only to pay respect to Chief Haku but also in the hope that this cultural honor would truly return to the village, to the land where the culture grows. The Taitung County Government pointed out that the registration process for "Puyuma tu'tu' woodcarving" involved years of cultural surveys, fieldwork, video documentation, oral history interviews, and cultural asset review procedures to gradually build a complete cultural context before being submitted to the central government for review. On December 17, 114 [ROC calendar, 2025], the Ministry of Culture held the "Indigenous Cultural Asset Important Traditional Craft Review Meeting." With the unanimous agreement of all attending committee members, "Puyuma tu'tu' woodcarving" was registered as an important traditional craft, and Haku was recognized as its preserver. Subsequently, the Ministry of Culture completed the formal announcement procedure in accordance with the Cultural Heritage Preservation Act. The county government stated that following Chen Li-youmei, preserver of the Paiwan "Kinavatjesan traditional embroidery," and Sun Chu-hua, preserver of the Puyuma "traditional weaving tenun kana Pinuyumayan," Haku has become Taitung County's third national-level preserver of important traditional crafts. This also demonstrates the profound cultural heritage and generational continuity of Taitung's indigenous craft culture, from embroidery and weaving to woodcarving. The county government noted that this official registration is not just a recognition of a single skill, but also a sign of respect for the entire village's cultural system and collective memory. In the future, the county government will continue to work hand in hand with the Ministry of Culture and the village.