THE ISSUEANCE OF THE TAIWAN INDIGENOUS PEOPLE CULTURAL SERIES COIN SET--TAYAL

The Central Bank of China will issue the 8th coin set of the Taiwan Indigenous Peoples Cultural Series¡VTAYAL on November 10, 2005. A total of 55,000 sets will be issued. The Bank of Taiwan and the Central Trust of China are appointed as the delegates of the Central Bank of China to deal with the sale of the coin sets. Each set, including a NT$20 proof coin in circulation and a commemorative proof copper medal, costs NT$250. Each person may purchase only one set of coins at one time.

The main Tayal communities are situated on the east and west sides of the Central mountain Range in northern Taiwan. One of the most distinctive aspects of the Tayal culture is the practice of facial tattooing¢w a mark reserved for tribal braves and accomplished weavers. Tayal textiles are considered to be the finest fabrics made by any of Taiwan¡¦s aboriginal tribes. The main distinctive feature of Tayal attire is its shell and bead adornments. Gaga is the most important ritual group in Tayal communities. Members of the gaga perform all rituals related to basic methods of production in the tribe. All gaga members are bound to abide the gaga custom to prevent angering the tribal ancestors. Indeed, the main tribal ritual is related to ancestral worship and is held after the millet harvest.

We are grateful to the Council of Indigenous Peoples, Executive Yuan, for examining the symbols and literature used in the preparation for the issuance of this coin set.