Saisiyat

Once upon a time, so the legend goes, the Saisiyat people - one of Taiwan's 12 officially-recognised aboriginal groups - lived in mountains next to a tribe of dark-skinned dwarves, or pygmies.

BBC on Aboriginal Festival Michael Turton 2006

He took revenge by cutting down a bridge that killed all but two of the short people, who put a curse on the Saisiyat.

Archive 2006-12-01 Michael Turton 2006

The short-people were both feared and admired by the Saisiyat as they were thought to have magical powers.

BBC on Aboriginal Festival Michael Turton 2006

Alarmed, the Saisiyat begged for mercy and were forgiven on one condition - that they sing the songs and dances of the pygmies - called the Ta'ai - to appease the spirits of those they killed.

BBC on Aboriginal Festival Michael Turton 2006

Once upon a time, so the legend goes, the Saisiyat people - one of Taiwan's 12 officially-recognised aboriginal groups - lived in mountains next to a tribe of dark-skinned dwarves, or pygmies.

Archive 2006-12-01 Michael Turton 2006

He took revenge by cutting down a bridge that killed all but two of the short people, who put a curse on the Saisiyat.

BBC on Aboriginal Festival Michael Turton 2006

But they also had bad tempers, and often flirted and made advances towards the Saisiyat women.

BBC on Aboriginal Festival Michael Turton 2006

But they also had bad tempers, and often flirted and made advances towards the Saisiyat women.

Archive 2006-12-01 Michael Turton 2006

Alarmed, the Saisiyat begged for mercy and were forgiven on one condition - that they sing the songs and dances of the pygmies - called the Ta'ai - to appease the spirits of those they killed.

Archive 2006-12-01 Michael Turton 2006

The short-people were both feared and admired by the Saisiyat as they were thought to have magical powers.

Archive 2006-12-01 Michael Turton 2006