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- Panel 6-2 Source of Energy: Fice'ki (Kyphosidae) as A Boundary in Constructing the Identity of the Amis People in Taiwan /Futuru C.L. Tsai
Panel 6-2 Source of Energy: Fice'ki (Kyphosidae) as A Boundary in Constructing the Identity of the Amis People in Taiwan /Futuru C.L. Tsai
Futuru Cheng-Liang Tsai
Professor, Department of Public and Cultural Affairs, National Taitung University, Taiwan
This paper delves into the multifaceted role of a specific fish, Fice'ki (Grey Chub/Kyphosus bigibbus), demonstrating that it extends beyond its culinary significance to serve as a boundary in shaping the identity of the Amis people in Taiwan. The Amis people refer to the grey chub as Fice'ki, derived from the Amis word "ice'l," signifying energy, strength, or vitality. The association of Fice'ki with ice'l stems from its behavior of swiftly navigating through water, particularly in the face of strong waves or currents near coastal reef areas. Fice'ki serves as a boundary in shaping the identity of the Amis people from two perspectives: its consumption as a food source and the prowess required to catch it, symbolizing outstanding Amis young men. In terms of consumption, there are two dimensions to consider. Firstly, the optimal culinary approach involves preparing Fice'ki as fish soup and partaking in the raw viscera seasoned with salt. Notably, the act of consuming the raw viscera is pivotal in identifying the cultural habitus of the Amis people, considering it a delicacy that aids in digesting seaweed and evoking the essence of the sea. Furthermore, The Amis people hold the belief that consuming Fice'ki is beneficial for both pregnant and postpartum women, enhancing the production of sufficient milk. Additionally, they attribute a swift recovery for the sick to the consumption of Fice'ki. Secondly, due to Fice'ki's fast and sensitive nature in the sea, the ability of men to capture Fice'ki is highly esteemed in Amis society. Through exchange or sharing, they redistribute Fice'ki to pregnant women, new mothers, or fellow community members who are ill or injured, thereby gaining elevated social status. Consequently, Fice'ki, as a persistently favored food among the Amis people from ancient times to the present, serves not only as a cultural delicacy but also as a medium to demonstrate social relationships and the societal and cultural representation of the food's ecological characteristics.
Professor, Department of Public and Cultural Affairs, National Taitung University, Taiwan
This paper delves into the multifaceted role of a specific fish, Fice'ki (Grey Chub/Kyphosus bigibbus), demonstrating that it extends beyond its culinary significance to serve as a boundary in shaping the identity of the Amis people in Taiwan. The Amis people refer to the grey chub as Fice'ki, derived from the Amis word "ice'l," signifying energy, strength, or vitality. The association of Fice'ki with ice'l stems from its behavior of swiftly navigating through water, particularly in the face of strong waves or currents near coastal reef areas. Fice'ki serves as a boundary in shaping the identity of the Amis people from two perspectives: its consumption as a food source and the prowess required to catch it, symbolizing outstanding Amis young men. In terms of consumption, there are two dimensions to consider. Firstly, the optimal culinary approach involves preparing Fice'ki as fish soup and partaking in the raw viscera seasoned with salt. Notably, the act of consuming the raw viscera is pivotal in identifying the cultural habitus of the Amis people, considering it a delicacy that aids in digesting seaweed and evoking the essence of the sea. Furthermore, The Amis people hold the belief that consuming Fice'ki is beneficial for both pregnant and postpartum women, enhancing the production of sufficient milk. Additionally, they attribute a swift recovery for the sick to the consumption of Fice'ki. Secondly, due to Fice'ki's fast and sensitive nature in the sea, the ability of men to capture Fice'ki is highly esteemed in Amis society. Through exchange or sharing, they redistribute Fice'ki to pregnant women, new mothers, or fellow community members who are ill or injured, thereby gaining elevated social status. Consequently, Fice'ki, as a persistently favored food among the Amis people from ancient times to the present, serves not only as a cultural delicacy but also as a medium to demonstrate social relationships and the societal and cultural representation of the food's ecological characteristics.