General Information
Completed On: 31 May, 2024
Duration: 10 min 7 sec
Genres: Documentary, Short, Web / New Media
Language: English
Country: Taiwan
Submitted By: Chih-Li Chang
Festival Rating 6.1
The Puyuma people, who live in Taiwan at the Circum-Pacific Belt, have built Trakubans, standing firmly at the site of most of the world's earthquakes for hundreds of years.
Renowned scientist Chung-Yu praises the ingenuity of the Puyuma ancestors, noting how they incorporated a structural feature resembling a “tuned mass damper” into the Trakuban - an innovation comparable to the advanced engineering found in Taipei 101,
Trakuban served as a vital cultural hub for Puyuma boys aged 7 to 17 in the past, where they learned essential life skills, embraced traditional practices, and trained in martial techniques.
In the video, craftsman-leader Sulangalr rebuilds a Trakuban using locally sourced materials to demonstrate the traditional wisdom of architecture. At the same time, the elder chief, Alisayan, shares memories of the activities in his youth.
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DirectorsLi-Yu Fu
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DirectorsTsung-Yuan Li
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ProducerLi-Yu Fu
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Film Festival CoordinatorChih-Li Chang
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CinematographersTsung-Yuan Li
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CinematographersSheng-Wen Huang
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CinematographersJian-Zhi Lai
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IntervieweesSulangalr Pakawyan(洪崇維)
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IntervieweesAlisayan Dalising(陳光榮)
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IntervieweesChung-Yu Mou
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Film TypeDocumentary, Short, Web / New Media
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GenresIndigenous, Architecture, Education
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Runtime10 minutes 7 seconds
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Completion Date31 May, 2024
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Production BudgetUSD
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Country of OriginTaiwan
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Country of FilmingTaiwan
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Film LanguageEnglish
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Shooting Format4K, 1920X1080 30p (output)
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Aspect Ratio16:9
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Film ColorColor
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Student ProjectNo
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First-time FilmmakerNo
Director's Biography
Li-Yu Fu's Bio
Dr. Fu’s contributions to filmmaking and science education have resonated deeply—not only within Indigenous communities and across primary and secondary education—but also among the general public, both in Taiwan and internationally.
She is a professor-turned filmmaker, best known for her acclaimed Go Go Giwas series and the Indigenous Architectural Culture and Technology Series. At the same time, she served as a project manager, director, field researcher, literature researcher, and story designer. These landmark projects reflect her commitment to promoting and preserving Taiwan’s Indigenous cultures through animation, multimedia, and educational materials.
Dr. Fu has consistently demonstrated passion and perseverance in her past decade of teaching experience in junior & senior high schools, and 28 years of engagement in Indigenous communities and science education outreach, her scholarly work has evolved into impactful educational resources and media productions, significantly shaping the landscape of science education for Taiwan’s Indigenous peoples.
Tsung-Yuan Li’s Bio
Tsung-Yuan Li is a Taiwanese director specializing in commercials, branded content, and storytelling through film. With a background in visual communication and over 10 years of experience, he worked across concept, cinematography, and post-production to craft compelling visuals.
His clients include ASUS, BenQ, Yahoo, Uni-President, and government agencies.
Director's Statement
Li-Yu Fu 's statement
I have always believed that indigenous peoples are natural scientists. Through long-term coexistence with the land, mountains, forests and rivers, they have developed profound environmental knowledge and life wisdom. This wisdom is not just technology, but also a respect and understanding for nature, and a philosophy of symbiosis between culture and environment.
In the worldview of indigenous peoples, education does not only exist in school classrooms, but is learned from life, from the stories of elders and tribal practices. An example of the Trakuban : Puyuma’s Boys House, it is not only a space for young people to live and train, but also a school without textbooks and a cradle for inheriting culture and responsibility.
Surprisingly, this traditional building contains the same earthquake-resistant principle as Taipei 101 - tuned mass damper. In an era when technology was not yet developed, they had already constructed buildings that could coexist with earthquakes based on their perception and observation of natural forces. This makes us understand that the knowledge of indigenous peoples is not backwardness, but another way to communicate with the world.
As contemporary society faces the challenges of climate change and root-lost culture, the wisdom from our native lands may be the assets we most need to re-understand and cherish.
Tsung-Yuan Li’s Statement
This film offers an in-depth look at the unique architectural style of the Puyuma's youth house, known as Trakuban. Through the ingenious use of locally sourced bamboo, it showcases the ancestral craftsmanship and wisdom passed down through generations. By analyzing its structure through the lens of modern science, we uncover the traditional knowledge and cultural spirit embedded in its design. The film also captures oral histories and cherished memories shared by tribal elders, revealing the profound cultural significance of the Trakuban and deepening our understanding of the rich heritage and indigenous wisdom of the Puyuma people.

