When Likavong Was Young......Exploring the origination & development of Likavong.

The world after the battle at bamboo woods

The history of Puyuma involved around battle over the domination on Puyuma plain between Kazekalan and Panglan Puyuma. The famous battle at the bamboo woods, had determined the tribe that was best adaptive to the increasingly complicated agricultural economy, support to its people, and exchange with foreign tribes and cultures, and also established the dominating position of Puyuma after Middle Ages. Puyuma natives indulged in the unprecedented honor and pride after the battle at bamboo woods.

( Song, Long-sheng ( 1998) 'Aboriginal Culture in Taiwan - History of Puyuma', p. 208)

Puyuma Emperor

Since the early ancient time, Puyuma had been a powerful tribe on Taitung plain. From the domination in Stone-born tribes during early ancient time, to the rise and control in Bamboo-born tribes during the Middle Ages, Puyuma indulged in honor on Taitung plain like a 'small kingdom'. After Dutch left Taitung, the influence and military force of Cheng of Ming Dynasty never resulted in threat to domination, military force, and economic status of Puyuma. Taitung was a peaceful area before Ching Dynasty and after Dutch left.

( Song, Long-sheng ( 1998) 'Aboriginal Culture in Taiwan - History of Puyuma', p. 224)

Puyuma gained its fame after the battle at bamboo woods, was at the apex during the ruling of the 18th Chief PinaLai. Pinalai traveled to Fangliao and Chaochou when he was young and brought farm tools and technology back. Due to new technology, strong military force, and black magic, Panglan Puyuma was able to dominate the neighboring tribes, and PinaLai led the tribe to be the dominating tribe of 72 tribes on the back hill. Its hunting ground or territory ranged centered from Taitung plain and expanded to Dachung and Hsinkaiyuan on the north, Saobe on the east coast, Dawe on the south. Panglan Puyuma collected tributes or rent from all tribes within its territory ( land rental, hunting ground rental, fishing ground rental).

( Song, Long-sheng ( 1998) 'Aboriginal Culture in Taiwan - History of Puyuma', p. 237-238)

The fall of Panglan Puyuma and conflicts between tribes

After 1860, intervention of Hans ( public and government of Ching Dynasty) caused Panglan Puyuma losing its force. A few outbreaks of smallpox and plague took away a number of lives on Taitung plain. The glory of Puyuma Emperor had vanished.

Englishman ( G. Taylor) explored Puyuma plain in 1887, in his journal written: 'Panglan Puyuma was once the capital of eastern Formosa and the meeting place for emperors in coastal area. When he went out, he was surrounded and protected by 8 guards. However, the strong force has been dissolved. As I witnessed the battle between Katipol and Rikavong: all tribes were fighting for own benefits. Panglan Puyuma remained its primitive beauty in bamboo woods, yet the glory had vanished. The last Chief had passed away a while ago during the glory time, and then this nationality had downfallen. His daughter was still alive, but she married a Han, and sold the crown to antique dealers to buy opium.'

( Song, Long-sheng ( 1998) 'Aboriginal Culture in Taiwan - History of Puyuma', p. 266-269)