Indigenous hunting traditions on the upper court of Taiwan Indigenous Rights News
Taipei, Taiwan – Indigenous Taiwanese are awaiting a major ruling by the island’s high court on Friday that will determine the scope of traditional hunting rights and pave the way for a limited return of civilian firearms to the island after legal restrictions on use. In the early 1980s.
The case began eight years ago in 2013 when Bunun native hunter Talum Suqluman (Wang Kuang-lu) was prosecuted under the island’s wildlife conservation laws.
He was initially sentenced to three-and-a-half years in prison after being found guilty of using a “transformed rifle” to kill two protected animals, although that period was suspended in 2017 after international protest.
Bunun hunter waits for ruling on firearms
By Amber Wang / AFP, TAITUNG COUNTY
Before heading into the mountains with his homemade rifle, Bunun hunter Tama Talum often chants prayers and makes offerings of rice wine and betel nut to the spirits.
Talum, 62, was one of the hundreds from his people taking part last week in Mala Hodaigian, an annual festival that honors hunters and wild game.
However, a shadow hung over this year’s festivities because of a court ruling set for tomorrow.
A man fires a gun during a festival in Taitung County’s Chishang Township on Saturday.
Photo: Sam Yeh, AFP