The Marine National Park Headquarters (hereinafter referred to as the Headquarters), while organizing the “Centennial of the Republic” grand event— the Lanyu Traditional Canoe Building and Voyaging Project—documented the entire process through video recording and subsequently produced the documentary “Crossing the Kuroshio – Visiting Taiwan”. On April 20, the film was awarded the Gold Award in the Cultural Category at the 46th Houston International Film Festival. This recognition not only once again brought the cultural depth and aesthetic beauty of Lanyu’s marine heritage to international attention, but also represents a concrete achievement of the Headquarters’ efforts to preserve Lanyu’s oceanic culture.
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| “Crossing the Kuroshio – Visiting Taiwan” Documentary |
The Houston International Film Festival is one of the most competitive international film festivals in North America and one of the world’s longest-running festivals dedicated to independent productions. Each year, more than 4,500 entries from over 30 countries compete, making it a highly prestigious and influential international event.
Filming of “Crossing the Kuroshio – Visiting Taiwan” spanned one year, comprehensively documenting—from sea, land, and air—the entire journey of the 18-person traditional plank canoe Si Mangavang (meaning “Filled with Blessings”), from tree felling and boat construction to the launching ceremony and the subsequent voyage. Over the course of a 700-kilometer journey to waters off Taiwan’s western coast—areas never previously visited by Lanyu’s seafarers—the warriors of Lanyu paddled by hand for 18 days, crossing the powerful main current of the Kuroshio and navigating the unpredictable waters off Eluanbi. Their voyage demonstrated the extraordinary courage and adventurous spirit of an oceanic people.
The traditional plank canoe of the Yami (Tao) people of Lanyu embodies profound cultural significance. It represents the culmination of indigenous ethnobotanical knowledge, craftsmanship aesthetics, and maritime experience, and stands as the most iconic symbol of their unique oceanic culture. The canoe reflects generations of ecological wisdom developed through a close and enduring relationship with the natural environment.
The canoe Si Mangavang is currently on display at the Headquarters’ Visitor and Interpretation Center. Members of the public are welcome to take the Kaohsiung MRT to Metropolitan Park Station and visit the center to appreciate the craftsmanship of the canoe up close, as well as to watch the award-winning documentary and relive the grand voyage of crossing the Kuroshio in celebration of the Republic’s centennial.
Si Mangavang navigating the unpredictable waters off Eluanbi