"I just grasped the tail of our tradition. If I started earlier, more would have been kept," he said. "I want to help our younger generations remember the ancestors and remove long lasting bias towards our culture."
Kimi Sibal's efforts have been rewarded with changes in Taiwan society. Atayal young people are encouraged to wear traditional dress at their festivals and school cultural events.
"On these occasions, many will attach tattoo stickers to their faces to remember our traditions."
But he does not support young people having their faces tattooed.
"Atayal facial tattoos are not only designs, but a set of rituals and etiquettes. Today, our tribal structure has collapsed and facial tattoos have lost their original meanings and functions. I would not like to see the tattoos become superficial decorations."
An Atayal boy had to be recognized by the tribe as a skilled hunter with the virtues of bravery and honesty so that he could have a full set of facial tattoos as an adult, says Kimi Sibal.
"Today, a boy can have whatever tattoos he wants on his face. But who is there to judge whether he is qualified or not?"
While his people have left their isolated habitats in the mountains, Kimi Sibal thinks it is important to preserve their cultural legacy.
"Facial tattoos are a reflection of cultural problems facing Taiwan's ethnic minorities. Our culture has long been wronged, ignored or harmed. Today we face the new challenge of reviving it and adapting to the modern world."
