Traditions are very important in Taiwanese Indigenous culture. They are a way to honor ancestors and continue to remember their culture. In the past, swarms of birds would come to eat the farmer's crops so the farmers would have to catch the birds in order to protect their crops. Nowadays, village members catch the birds as a way to make money and remember their past.
Do you think that catching so many birds each year is harmful to the environment? Many people think it is not good to catch this many birds, so each town has also made efforts to teach each other about animal conservation. Some villages buy bird meat from the store rather than catch them from the wild. Shoufeng is an exception, as the town has approved the continuation of this festival. Sometimes it is important to remember that age-old traditions might go against modern rules and regulations. Still, these traditions are very important to Indigenous people and should be respected.
