Seeking headhunting roots in tribal Taiwan FEATURE 03/13/2010

Seeking headhunting roots in tribal Taiwan FEATURE 03/13/2010 TAIPEI — With his thick central Chinese accent, Chen Tangsan could easily be mistaken for any other resident of Henan province, but he is in fact a descendant of Taiwanese headhunters — and proud of it. More than 350 years after a distant ancestor left Taiwan and settled deep in China’s interior, Chen returned to the island, seeking his roots in the verdant hills which aboriginal tribes still consider their own. “I’ve finally found my ancestral home,” the 43-year-old told AFP after his first trip to the Tsou tribe near Taiwan’s iconic Alishan mountain. An ancient ceremony filled with symbolism greeted Chen at Alishan, when a priest slaughtered a pig in the presence of hundreds of people in a sign of gratitude for the return of a long-lost son.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune ALTERNATE URL: http://www.tribune.net.ph/commentary/20100313com3.html

COMMENTARY EDITORIAL Denials — dime and dozen FRONTLINE Still evasive, still reluctant FEATURE Seeking headhunting roots in tribal Taiwan