Listen to Bunun

The music of the Bunun centers around a form known as Pasibutbut, a ritualistic prayer for the millet harvest. Pasi means “harmonious sharing” and butbut is “mutual support.” This documentary presents performances by Bunun musicians and the National Chinese Orchestra Taiwan. The history of the Bunun is discussed through interviews with tribal elders, including the arrival of Chinese Han people to Taiwan during the 17th century.


This film is presented as part of the Taiwan Indigenous Music & Film Series, running from
October 13 to October 27, 2021:

October 14 @ 7:30pm / live & online
International Panel Discussion: Bunun Indigenous Music and Culture
Panelists: (Michigan) Dr. Daniel Birchok, Professor of Anthropology, the U of M-Flint
(Taiwan): Film Director Chih-Lin Yang, Bunun Elder Guo-Ching Wang and Music Director Shiu-Lan Chuan. view @ Detroit Institute of Arts Facebook page or YouTube channel

October 19-27 / streaming online
Lecture: Chance and Intent: Bunun’s Pasibutbut
Dr. Rung-shun Wu, Professor of Music of the Taipei National University of Arts.
to view:    • Видео  


October 20, 6pm / live & online
Live Lecture: Music and Instruments of the Bunun
U of M Stearns Collection director Joseph Gascho will discuss Bunun and related instruments from across Asia.
to attend online: https://aadl.org/node/580658

October 17, 2pm / Ann Arbor District Library, Downtown Branch
Michigan Film Premiere: Listen Before You Sing (in-person screening)
(2021/Taiwan-directed by Chih-Lin Yang)
to attend in-person: https://aadl.org/node/579439

October 21, 6pm / Kiva Auditorium, U of M-Flint Campus
Michigan Film Premiere: Listen Before You Sing (in-person screening)
(2021/Taiwan-directed by Chih-Lin Yang)
for more information: https://www.umflint.edu/cge/

October 21, 8pm / live & online
Listen Before You Sing Q & A
Film director Chih-Lin Yang (Taipei) and Associate Director of Global Engagement (UM-Flint) Sarah Pattison
to attend online: https://umich.zoom.us/webinar/registe...

All programs are free to the public. Sponsored by the Michigan Taiwanese American Organization, in collaboration with the Ann Arbor District Library, Detroit Institute of Arts, Oakland University Taiwan Week, University of Michigan-Flint, Stearns Collection of Musical Instruments and the Lieberthal-Rogel Center for Chinese Studies at the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor.

Visit the Michigan Taiwanese American Organization website for more information: https://mitaiaa.weebly.com/events/202...