The phenomena of tourism and changing of the tranditional canoe in Lanyu

[[abstract]]The beautiful island ‘Lanyu’ in the direction of the southeast of Taiwan developed unique features in the traditional culture of aborigines because of its geographic condition. The traditional culture in Lanyu had been preserved very well before. However, the governmental policies and the development of tourism caused culture change in Lanyu in recent year. Due to the development of tourism, more and more tourists went to Lanyu for travelling and Yami, the aborigine in Lanyu, begined to make money from them. Gradually, Yami took tourism to be the main income so many traditional taboos had to make a compromise with tourism. Therefore, the most important tradition about flying fish and traditional canoe in Yami material culture faced a lot of challenges. The new activity, making tourists experience rowing the Yami’s traditional sacred canoes, took them to the field of tourism and changed to a new economic activity in Lanyu. After discovery of a new skill, Yami not only had a new choice to make canoes conveniently but also created a chance that made tradition coexist with the modern activity. Competition between the tradition and the modern civilization, Yami’s culture of traditional canoe changed violently. Thus, this study used the methods of interview and observation to research on the activity of experience of rowing the canoes in Lanyu, and gave some suggestions. The following is three suggestions for the local people in Lanyu: First, Yami should add a clear culture exposition to this new activity. Second, they may combine this activity with other tourism activities into a whole tour. Finally, they should reach the balance between traditional canoes and modern canoes which make by new skill. By practicing the above-mentioned suggestions, the development of tourism in Lanyu can be more perfect.