Our university students formed a team and participated in the “2021 South Taiwan College and University Indigenous Mother Tongue Song Contest,” organized by our university’s Indigenous Student Resource Center on November 13. The team was honored with the “Second Place” award and the “Best Popularity Award” from online voting. The competition included five schools that advanced from the preliminary round, namely National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Tzu Chi University of Science and Technology, Tzu Hui Institute of Technology, National Penghu University of Science and Technology, and Shu-Zen College of Medicine and Management. A total of six teams showcased their cultural spirit and language heritage in aspects such as “singing,” “costume display,” and “team collaboration,” delivering spectacular performances.
The seven students who participated in the “110th South Taiwan College and University Indigenous Mother Tongue Song Contest” were from various departments. From the Department of Fashion Design and Management, there were Chai Ju-Ting, and Kao Yi-Huan from the Department of Business Administration. From the Department of Social Work, there was Fan Chih-Hsiang, and from the Department of Hospitality Management, there was Chen Chih-Wen. In the first year, Du Cheng-Feng from the Department of Vehicle Engineering and Si En-Ze from the Department of Agricultural Enterprise Management formed a team. Through the planning of songs and numerous rehearsals, the students cultivated teamwork and built mutual confidence, finding their own sanctuary on campus through singing.
The indigenous languages and cultures in Taiwan face the crisis of disappearance, with tribal languages being the most critical historical context for each ethnic group. Through the Indigenous Mother Tongue Song Contest, students actively learn their languages, allowing different cultural backgrounds and stories to be sung and echoed on campus. This contest also revives the recognition of self-identity among indigenous students, fostering a deeper connection to their tribal heritage.
