"Mata nu Wawa (Eye of the Sea)" a book that was published in 2018 by Syaman Rapongan, a writer from the indigenous Tao tribe of Taiwan's Orchid Island, was recently translated into French and released by French publisher L'Asiatheque in June this year.
"Mata nu Wawa" is an autobiographical novel that provides readers with a very different view of Taiwan from the perspective of indigenous peoples who live surrounded by the sea. It depicts the life of a young man, Cigewat, who refused to accept a recommendation for college and wandered around to work for tuition fees. He struggled to find his way out of discrimination and exploitation as well as the conflicting values that are engraved in his mind.
A book critic once commented that Syaman Rapongan's works "contribute a cultural specificity for Taiwan that is distinct from China, Japan, and other countries." The novel gave rise to the new genre of ocean literature, which prompted L'Asiathèque to publish this book for their French readers. The French publisher stated that "the unique and vigorous personal experiences can attract French readers' attention and also provoke the sense of emotional resonance amongst the global audiences."
Syaman Rapongan is a writer and oversees the Island Indigenous Science Studio. He has received many major literary awards such as Wu Zhuo-liu Literary Award, China Times Literary Award, Wu Luqin's prose Award, Chiu Ko Fiction Prize, and more. His writings revolve around the theme of Tao myths and legends and about his life and mental state when living in Taiwan and Orchid Island, reflecting the writer's reality. He recounts his thoughts and emotions after he returned to Orchid Island to rediscover his cultural identity and make a connection with the ocean.
For more information about the book, please visit L'Asiathèque's website.