Bunun Music

 Bunun Men

Taiwan was in the news headlines just this morning for their success in tackling COVID-19. Yesterday marked 200 days without a new infection reported. The country is seen as a model to follow in how to deal with a pandemic. The Bunun (Vunun on the record) are one of the largest groups of indigenous peoples on the island and are known for their polyphonic music. The are two examples of such music on The Columbia World Library of Folk and Primitive Music, Vol. 11: Japan, The Ryukyus, Formosa and Korea. The two songs Marisitomal and Pisila-Railas are hard to distinguish on the record as a whole bunch of songs are grouped together. In history the Bunun are known as fierce warriors and head hunters. (Without knowing I seem to select music from such tribes for this year's Top 100.)