A Documentary of Kucapungane: A Journey of Life and Poetry | Wang Yu-pang

In May, 1991, I went to Kucapungane for the first time. Through the explanation by the Rukai historian Auvinny, I began to make image and textual record of the Rukai people. Kucapunganeis marks the origin of the Xilukai people. The Elder of Kucapunganeis pass down historical myths, traditional culture and living customs of the ancient tribe more than 600 years old. In 1978, the settlement of Old Kucapunganeis moved to the new village of Kucapunganeis. In 1991, the New Kucapunganeis accommodated 110 households, among which included two Centenarians and 15 elderly over 90 years old. The Rukai Elder possessed rich survival wisdom, life experience and methods to survive in nature, showing strong vitality. The withering of the elder marks the disappearance of a living dictionary of Rukai’s history. During the process of making image record of the Rukai people, life has been racing against time. Photography is a window to see life. Finding oneself in the image is a reflection of life. The process of making image record of the Rukai people was like life walking on the ridgeline of a cliff. When encountering a typhoon and storm, life clings on in order not to fall to the bottom of the cliff. In the distance, you can always see the light of dawn through the crevice. This process of image making stimulated the potential and inspiration of life, discovered the source of life, and found the dignity of as well as the highest value and self-confidence of survival. Recording twenty-seventh harvest festivals, the longterm image and textual project of recording the Rukai people marks the changes and historical constellations of the Kucapungane tribe, from an individual, a family, a tribe, to the geographical environment, living customs, traditional culture..., witnessing procession of historic events of the tribe.

⸺Creative Statement by WANG Yu-Pang