阿美族為臺灣原住民族人口最多的一族,分布於花蓮縣、臺東縣、屏東縣等狹長海岸平原及丘陵地區。ilisin(豐年祭)是其規模最盛大、最重要的祭典,不同地區的阿美族有 malalikit、ilisin、kilumaan 等不同稱呼,約在每年七、八、九月間舉行,天數長短及內容因各部落而異。
ilisin(豐年祭)原為慶祝小米豐收及感謝祖靈庇祐的祭典,後因轉為種植水稻,祭典也因而轉變為稻米成熟採收之際舉行,具有紀念祖先、慶祝豐收、表現男子氣概與一年週而復始的循環等用意。傳統阿美族為母系社會,而ilisin(豐年祭)為男人的節日,許多過程女性不得參加,年齡階級晉級的成年禮也是在祭典期間舉行。年齡階級系統是架構 ilisin 豐年祭的關鍵,每個階級有專屬的名稱、歌謠及肩負的責任與工作。
男孩約 12 歲左右就必須加入年齡階級的預備組,以三至八歲不等為一個階級,一同住宿於集會所學習及生活,接受成為一個男人的訓練、參與部落工作及祭典的辦理。年齡階級使阿美族人長幼有序地連結成一個完整的部落組織,低階必須服從高階,年齡階級的完備與否,代表著部落的完整性與集體力量的強弱,關乎群體的維繫。對於 ilisin(豐年祭)而言,年齡階級的運作,在強化年齡階級結構的功能,能使整個祭典儀式過程圓滿順利。現在的年齡階級雖多已無會所制度,但仍維持著組織結構。ilisin(豐年祭)以歌舞為主要表現形式,由青年幹部帶頭跳,接著下面的年齡階級要一個個跟上來跳,如有長者加入,這位長者以下的各年齡階級也要照階級順序排在青年幹部的前面跟著舞蹈,彼此牽手漸次圍成圓圈,對應著合諧有序的歌謠舞步,通常老人坐在中央,以示尊敬、保護、方便發號司令。
阿美族 ilisin(豐年祭)內容包括豐收、謝神等信仰儀式,傳統飲食、服飾、歌舞等文化元素,以及聯誼、社交、年齡階級晉級、軍事訓練驗收等社會功能。雖然隨著社會生活型態的轉變及西方宗教的影響,傳統的軍事、信仰意涵已漸趨淡薄,但透過ilisin(豐年祭),民族的文化知識與長者的生命經驗才能得到傳承與延續。
Most of the indigenous people in Taiwan belong to the Amis Tribe, which is distributed in narrow coastal plains and hills in Hualien County, Taitung County, Pingtung County, and more. As the most important and largest Amis festival, ilisin is also known as malalikit and kilumaan depending on the local Amis customs. Held in July through September every year, the duration and the details also vary with each tribe.
Ilisin was originally held to celebrate millet harvest and to show gratitude for blessings from the ancestors. When the tribal farmers began cultivating rice, thetiming of the festival also changed in accordance with rice harvests. The festival commemorates the ancestors, celebrates harvests, demonstrates tribal masculinity while signifying the passage of another annual cycle. Traditional Amis society is matriarchal, though the ilisin is a holiday of men, and women are barred from much of the process. The coming-of-age ceremonies to celebrate the advancement of age categories is also held during the festival. The age classification system is the key to the ilisin planning process, with designated names, songs, responsibilities and jobs for each age classification.
Boys around the age of 12 are required to join children of similar age groups, and the age difference within a group can range from three to eight years. Boys in groups classified by age will live and study together at the same hall, to train in skills required to become a man and participate in tribal works and ritual planning. The Amis age classification system arranges each tribe into a comprehensive organization, where people of a lower age class must obey those of a higher age class. The completeness of the age classification system represents tribal integrity and the strength of collective power, which is vital to maintaining the tribal group. The age classification operation of ilisin is a function that strengthens such a system, to enable the ritual to take place successfully. Currently, even though the age groups are no longer tied to the residential hall system, the classification framework is still maintained.
Song and dance are the main elements of an ilisin, which is led by young leaders, followed by the next age group and the next. If an elder joins in, the age classes that are younger than him must also line up in order ahead of the youth leader, and perform the dance in a circle by holding hands with each other. The dance corresponds to the orderly song and dance steps. Usually the elderly people sit in the center of the circle to be revered and protected, which is also convenient for them to issue commands.
The Amis ilisin usually includes religious ceremonies to celebrate the harvest and thank the gods, as well as cultural elements such as traditional rituals, traditional foods,costumes, and singing and dancing. Furthermore, ilisin also serves social functions including networking, social interactions, advancement in age class, and verification of military training. Although changes in social lifestyle and the introduction of Western religion have gradually diminished traditional military and religious aspects, ilisin still serves an important role in heritage continuance by passing down tribal cultural knowledge and the living experience of the elders.