Chinese Name: 柯梅花
Born: 1923
Died: Apr. 5, 2024
Birthplace: Pingtung County (Southern Taiwan)
Did You Know That…?
Sawlalui Palribulungu was the last elder in Laulauzan village, Pingtung County, to bear the traditional hand tattoos of the Rukai people. On Sept. 15, 2023, she was recognized by the Pingtung County Government as the preserver of this ancient tradition.
Born in 1923 when Taiwan was under Japanese rule (1895-1945), Sawlalui Palribulungu came from the Rukai tribe, one of the Indigenous ethnic groups on the island. She was officially registered as the preserver of the Rukai hand tattoo tradition in 2023. The Rukai community follows a strict social hierarchy, where its culture and traditions are upheld and passed down through the observance of this order. Hand tattoos are one of the key expressions within this system, symbolizing social status, ancestry, and wealth. Deeply rooted in Rukai customs, these tattoos are a significant part of the community’s heritage, carrying profound historical and cultural meaning.
Sawlalui Palribulungu once shared memories of receiving her hand tattoos at the age of six. At that time, her tribesmen warned her: “Once you get the hand tattoo, you won’t be able to attend school anymore!” However, she continued her education. While the Japanese authorities did not prevent Indigenous Peoples from attending school, they frowned upon those with hand tattoos. According to Sawlalui Palribulungu, the tattooing process took two days—one day for each hand. Throughout the procedure, the hand had to remain in the same position, and there was no pain relief provided. After the pattern was completed, her hands were covered with charcoal to darken the design. As currency was not commonly used then, her family had to offer a pig, glass beads, and an iron pot as payment for the tattoo artist.
During the period of Japanese rule in Taiwan, the administration banned Indigenous Peoples from tattooing their bodies. Additionally, rapid societal changes in Taiwan severely impacted Indigenous cultures, altering their way of life. Sawlalui Palribulungu, the last elder in Laulauzan village to bear the traditional hand tattoos, dedicated her life to safeguarding this practice and preserving the village’s social order and ethics. Before her passing, she remained committed to protecting the tradition of Rukai hand tattoos and the associated rituals, making significant contributions to the preservation of Taiwan’s intangible cultural heritage.