Tribal ways to be taught in Taiwan

One of 14 aboriginal tribes in Taiwan, the Paiwan, have started a class to train young people in their traditional skills of witchcraft. Witches, or mediums, are important members of the tribe and practitioners of rituals used to treat diseases, to nurture crops, to protect their fellow tribal members from evil and to bring blessings on the community. The lessons will provide instructions on how to seek guidance from the gods and how to communicate with the souls of ancestors who have passed on.

Fears that ancient traditions will be lost forever prompted the classes. Conversions to other religions by a younger generation has also endangered the older customs and ways according to tribal elders, now in their 70's and 80's. Before a student is accepted, there must be evidence of a bloodline to shamans or witches or to be descended from village chiefs.