Plank Boat (tatala) Model

族群：雅美(達悟)族 Yami (Tao)

尺寸：12*47*36 cm

材質：木、棉線、羽毛 Wood, cotton, feather

本件為兩人小型船的模型，統稱為tatala，船身上會雕刻船眼mata、波浪紋volavolaw以及感念造舟始祖雕刻的人形紋tao，船首配有公雞羽毛用來測風向。船眼mata圈數不同，代表其他部落與自己部落的不同，有的部落是單一圈，也有雙圈和三圈的形式，而船身上雕刻的船眼mata，是造舟主人本身的配置，代表這個家族這個人擁有的東西。雅美（達悟）族特有的海運工具，對於製作拼板舟到下水出海捕魚，需要遵守規範和禁忌。雅美（達悟）族男子要製造一艘有紋飾的船，第一件事是儲備禮芋（芋頭）昭告親友；然後上山選擇木材，遵守製作季節，慎重地舉行祭告儀式，完成後需行隆重的下水禮。

This is a model of a Yami (Tao) boat for two people known as tatala. The boat’s hull is adorned with intricate carvings of the boat eye mata, wave patterns volavolaw, and human figures tao that symbolize the ancestral boat builders. At the bow of the boat, there are rooster feathers used to gauge the wind direction. The number of circles in a mata pattern varies to distinguish one’s tribe from others. They represent the boat owner’s identity, signifying the possessions of the owners and their families.

Tatala is a unique marine tool to Yami (Tao) and plays a crucial role in various aspects of their maritime culture. Thus, the process from building a tatala to venturing out to sea for fishing involves adhering to specific norms and taboos. Building a decorated tatala is especially a significant undertaking for Yami (Tao) men as it begins with the announcement of their intention to family and friends, planting and storing ceremonial taros, followed by selecting suitable wood, and following rules for the boat-building season. The process also involves solemn rituals and ceremonies, concluding with a grand launch once the boat is completed.