Indigenous group from Taiwan crosses to Batanes via traditional boat

An indigenous group from Taiwan on Monday traveled to Batanes using a traditional boat equipped with oars, a sea journey that their ancestors had gone on centuries ago.

According to Kuya Kim's report on "24 Oras," Thursday, the group of Tao people took the whole day to cross the Bashi Channel from Taiwan's Orchid Island to Batan in Batanes.

Their objective was to trace the ancient route and visit the Ivatan people like in the old days.

"Isa lang 'yung pamilya ng lengguwahe ng mga Tao people mula sa Taiwan at saka 'yung ating mga Ivatan mula Batanes," said Dr. Chester Cabalza, an anthropologist.

"Dito nagmula 'yung teorya na Austronesians mula dito sa Maritime Southeast Asia hanggang sa Pacific Ocean hanggang sa Africa. Ganun kalawak," he added.

The Tao people and the Ivatan people shared a deep connection. Cabalza said that they are both navigators and boat builders, but their relationship loosened over the years possibly due to geopolitical situations.

"Malaki ang mga factors kung bakit nangyari itong reunion. Makikita natin dito 'yung bisyllabic language natin. Pinapakita na malaki ang naging kahulugan nito sa ating mga sibilisasyon kultura, at kung sino tayo ngayon," the anthropologist said.

The boat used by the Tao people to reach Batanes is called Tatala, which was used for catching flying fish and for ceremonies. They named it Ovayan, which means "golden friendship."

"Itong tatala na ito ay isang canoe kung saan ginamitan ng walang pako," Cabalza said.

Meanwhile, the Ivatan also have their own traditional boat called Faluwa, an open-deck vessel used for fishing and trade. It can carry up to 30 people and it has six to 10 pairs of rowers.

Modern vessels are now equipped with motor instead of paddles. —MGP, GMA News