“Voyaging to the Land of the Ancestors” 航向祖先之地

Song： “Voyaging to the Land of the Ancestors” 航向祖先之地

Album：RAYP Partners — A Labor-Exchange Experimental Music Album

Songwriting：Paliulius Band

Musicians：Paliulius Band

Entry Description for Judges：

Lyrics （Lyrics in the Pinuyumayan Indigenous Language of Taiwan）

kemayan zatu vira’ kana rengas temawar , ametre’.
kurturus za sudang mungawayan,kanizu na saya lra nantu kakawangan.

mu’alipespes ku piniangeran kanu tra’an ,nu piniangeran i punapunan.

walra! witras zatu vira’ kana rengas, awa ta trempaya za inurakazan.
walra! witras zatu vira’ kana rengas, trempa i kazenanan.

‘emetru temulre’ay tu ludus na rengas.
meredek zatu pinidare’an na temuwamuwan.

in~ho i yan ha i yo i yo i yan, in~ho i yan ha i yo i yo i yan, i ye i yan , u wa i ye i yan.

naluwan i yan, na i na ya o, i yan, ha i ya ne la.

Lyrics (English Translation)
Carried upon a shell ginger leaf,
slowly, gently, in stillness.
Along the vessel’s path,
toward the next stage of the journey.

Memories intertwine, forming your image,
letting go of worldly attachments.

Go forth!
Ride upon the shell ginger leaf,
sailing toward our primordial source.
Go forth!
Ride upon the shell ginger leaf,
sailing toward the highest mountain.

Hold tight to the tip of the shell ginger leaf,
return to the land of our ancestors.

Vocalization
(in~ho i yan ha i yo i yo i yan…)

Cultural & Lyrical Background (Statement by the Lyricist)
According to Pinuyumayan oral tradition,
the spirits of those who have passed away
are said to ride upon shell ginger leaves,
sailing toward the sacred summit ‘aliveliveng,
the highest mountain.

This place is believed to be the final resting ground,
where souls reunite with their ancestors.

Through distant chants and unhurried narration,
the song follows this spiritual voyage.
At the moment of reaching the mountaintop,
familiar figures appear ahead—
welcoming the returning soul home.