西魯凱族貴族制度之研究

A Study of Western Rukai Aristocratic System

傳統西魯凱族的社會組織結構乃以部落為單位，部落多由貴族與平民兩大階層所構成。貴族與平民之間的階層嚴明，貴族部落中享有特權，尤其是經濟上的特權。根據作者過去所進行實地考查與訪談的結果，發現傳統西魯凱族各部落之間的階層體系並不全然一致，部分的貴族階層與平民階層常可再予細分，故宜採各別說明為當，故本文僅就資料蒐集較為完整的西魯凱群傳統階層體系做探討

The Western Rukai group, a sub-tribe of Rukai, reside in the mountain Tawu areas in the southwestern Taiwan. As we know, there was an aristocratic system in the Western Rukai society. The aristocratic system in the tribal villages, including Haucha, Wutai, Ali, Chiulu, Chiamy, and Dawu villages in Wutai Township, Pingtung County, represents the traditional social organization. This system was maintained by the constant study of the genealogical history. The tribal aristocracy passed on the myths and legends of the Western Rukai and inherited the ritual customs and the jurisdiction regulations. A few specific Aristocratic families owned almost the land and resources in the tribal village, for example forests, rivers hunting sites, farming fields. There were several social features that represented aristocratic status of the Western Rukai, such as the right to use special names, to wear embroidery clothes, lily flowers, and to employ special carvings in their homes.