Dawu Melody
光影中的旋律
The word “music” does not exist in the Tao language, however, music and sound are indispensable in the lives of Tao people. The ever-present singing and chanting in Tao society are an integral part of their culture. Their music “does not seek to please the ears. The goal is simply to express every aspect of life through sound.”
With the Tao songs introduced one after another in the documentary, the audience gradually enters the musical world of Orchid Island. After being handed down and renovated by generations and generations, Tao music reflects the social developments over the past hundred years.
Tao rhythm and sound has always been integrated with their lives over the years. The only way to pass this tradition down is through the memory of the elders, along with their own individual creativity. What will the future of Tao music be…
Directors
Lin Chien-Hsiang
Lin Chien-Hsiang, Han, is a documentary filmmaker and the host of Together Studio. He graduated from Tainan National College of the Arts with a Master of sound and image studies in 2003. Having worked in the documentary field for more than 20 years, Lin’s focus has always been the indigenous people, including ecological issues, social movements, local culture, and the disadvantaged groups.