A posthumous presidential citation from President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) has been awarded to the late preserver of indigenous face tattoos Ipay Wilang (林智妹), who passed away on June 18 at the age of 100. Deputy Minister of Culture Hsiao Tsung-huang (蕭宗煌) presented the presidential citation to Ipay Wilang’s eldest daughter Kimi Uwy (林朝花) on June 25 at the memorial service.
The service was attended by Presidential Office Spokesperson Kolas Yotaka, Presidential Office Indigenous Historical Justice and Transitional Justice Committee Deputy Convener Alang Manglavan, Hualien-based historian Kimi Sibal (田貴實), Legislators Kao Chin Su-mei (高金素梅), Kung, Wen-chi (孔文吉) as well as other representatives from Coucil of Indigineous Peoples, MOC, and others.
Born on April 1, 1922, Ipay Wilang was named the preserver of indigenous facial tattoos under the category of "Intangible Cultural Heritage – Folklore" by the Hualien County Government in 2016. She was the last remaining government-designated preserver of indigenous facial tattoos, who dedicated her life to the transmission and promotion of indigenous face tattoos.
Although Culture Minister Lee Yung-te was unable to attend the memorial service in person, he paid special tribute to Ipay Wilang for her courage in facing various challenges and for her profound and significant life practices which played a part in preserving the indigenous face tattoos. Even though she passed away, her legacy of dedication and accomplishment will be cherished forever by future generations.
In the presidential citation, President Tsai praised Ipay Wilang for taking on the responsibility of preserving indigenous facial tattoos. She also mentioned that the practice was banned while Taiwan was under Japanese colonial rule and Ipay Wilang was forced to remove her facial tattoo, but she remained strong despite all the hardships. The president also acknowledged Ipay Wilang’s contribution to the enrichment of the country's intangible cultural heritage.