(DOWNLOAD) "Translating Policies Into Practice: Culturally Appropriate Practices in an Atayal Aboriginal Kindergarten Program in Taiwan." by Childhood Education # Book PDF Kindle ePub Free
eBook details
- Title: Translating Policies Into Practice: Culturally Appropriate Practices in an Atayal Aboriginal Kindergarten Program in Taiwan.
- Author : Childhood Education
- Release Date : January 15, 2005
- Genre: Education,Books,Professional & Technical,
- Pages : * pages
- Size : 290 KB
Description
Many aboriginal cultures follow their collective wisdom in order to adapt to their living environments. The Atayal natives in Taiwan focus on the natural world, such as the stars, and birds and other animals, as their guide. They have used their cultural heritage to build and exercise knowledge without the help of books and training. Their perceptions and collective knowledge may differ, however, from the information presented in modern textbooks. In addition, ways of learning, doing, and acting in the aboriginal culture also often differ from those followed by the mainstream culture. These cultural conflicts, when not addressed in mainstream schools' curriculum and instruction, may result in aboriginal children's academic and socio-emotional failure. The Atayal (Taiyal) tribe lives in the northern region of Taiwan, on either side of the Central Mountain range, and includes the Sedolek group and Tseole branches. Most of the Atayal people make their living farming the mountainous hills and hunting animals. The Atayal people are famous for their weaving and knitting skills, their unique Kou-Wa instrument that accompanies dances, and their seashell-decorated clothes, including hats, skirts, and leg wrappers. A unique aspect of their culture is the tattoo face. Traditionally, the tattoo face is an honor for those men who have hunted enemy heads; it represents bravery. Women who have demonstrated weaving skills also would earn a tattoo face. No one would like to marry a woman who does not have a tattoo face. The Atayal people believe that the tattoo face is the only way to maintain their identity, and allow their spirits to be recognized after death. Wearing the tattoo face had been prohibited since the Japanese colonial era, however. The only tattoo-faced Atayal people are elders 80 years old or older.