Tracing the Origins of Twenty-Six Atayal Hymns
Date Issued
2012
Date
2012
Author(s)
Huang, Hao-Yu
Abstract
The earliest record about the adaptation of “Atayal” tunes to Christian hymns is the first Atayal Presbyterian hymnal published in 1958. In the revised version of 1980,
the number of the indigenized hymns increased to twenty-six; they are described as “ancient tunes” in the preface and as “Atayal hymns” in the content page. Despite
their being labelled as “Atayal”, the melodies of these twenty-six “Atayal” hymns do not have authentic Atayal origins. Careful investigation shows that these tunes came
from many different sources.
This thesis thus studies this paradox through two dimensions: the historical development of the Atayal hymnals and the musical elements of the “Atayal” hymns.
The first part of the thesis deals with history. It traces the introduction of Christian hymns to the Atayals, the developments of the Atayal hymnals, and the actual use of
the twenty-six Atayal hymns by today’s Atayals. The second part focuses on the music.
It investigates the melodic sources of the twenty-six Atayal hymns, the musical transformation of the seven hymns composed by the Atayals, and the conversion of non-Christian or non-Atayal tunes into twelve Atayal hymns.
The diversity of the melodic sources of these hymns reflects the interaction of cultures in the context of post-war evangelization. When converted to Christianity, the
Atayals embraced the cultures brought by missionaries from various backgrounds without losing their own traditions. The twenty-six “Atayal” hymns, though not authentic “Atayal” tunes, developed into a category distinct from Western ones in the editing process of the hymnals. They testify to the integration of foreign elements into
Atayal culture.
Subjects
Atayal, Presbyterian Church
indigenization
hymns
musical change
Type
thesis
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