A Sacred Bird at the Crossroads of Destiny: Ethno-Ornithology of the Mountain Hawk-Eagle (Qadis) for the Paiwan People in Taiwan

Abstract

Paiwan Indigenous communities of Southern Taiwan have historically used bird feathers to decorate their headdresses. Among many species, the feathers of the Mountain Hawk-Eagle (Nisaetus nipalensis), qadis or adis in the Paiwan language, play an especially crucial role. In this paper, we aim to understand the relationship between the Paiwan and the qadis as well as the evolution of knowledge, practices, and beliefs regarding qadis feathers over time. We engaged Paiwan feather culture through analysis of legends, vocabularies, stories, accounts of feather utilization, and changes in modern society. Interviewees provided the names of various feathers, their link to social identities, and the way of wearing them. We visited 44 villages and interviewed 123 Paiwan elders and tribal chiefs to collect the local names of the feathers and of the different anatomical parts of qadis. We also recorded the taboos, limitations, rituals, and traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) associated with qadis hunting. Traditionally, the qadis is deemed a sacred bird and its feathers on a headdress symbolize the special status of a tribal chief, noble person, or hero. We apply our findings to help scientists understand feather culture and to find better conservation strategies that are responsive to local culture.