EXPLORING CHANGES IN THE RITUAL DESIGN OF TAIWAN’S PINGPU INDIGENOUS GROUPS FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF ACTIVITY THEORY: A CASE STUDY OF THE MAKATAO IN LAOPI, PINGTUNG COUNTY

抄録

After sinicization, the Makatao people of Laopi ceased their traditional "Ma-olau" rituals to avoid being labeled as "savages" by the Han Chinese. In 2015, efforts to revive these rituals began. This study, based on interviews and participant observation, analyzes the cultural revitalization through the six components of Activity Theory: subject, object, community, tools, rules, and division of labor. Findings revealed that the revival efforts fostered emotional connections through collaborative participation among different ethnic groups. However, issues in the activity design were identified: (1) shifting ritual sites hinder outsider participation, (2) limited youth involvement, (3) the Ancestral Shrine (老祖祠) lacks visibility, and (4) unexplained bamboo stalks confuse visitors. Suggested actions include cultural workshops, audio-narrated displays, music-based youth engagement, and better site integration. The evolution of the Ma-olau ritual in Laopi illustrates how culture can adjust and regenerate under different social conditions. This case may serve as a reference for other Pingpu Indigenous groups and contribute to the preservation and development of cultural diversity.