Bulabulay mun? / how are you?

Step into a moving and visually stunning performance from Taiwan's Tjimur Dance Theatre, a company dedicated to bringing the stories of the Indigenous Paiwan people to the contemporary stage. Bulabulay mun? / how are you? is inspired by the Mudan Shipwreck Incident of 1874, when a community suddenly found itself confronted by the immense power of wind and waves. Rather than retelling the history directly, this deeply human piece focuses on the people behind the story—those who lived through it, and the generations who carry its weight today.Across the performance, audiences are guided through a powerful journey that blends breathtaking dance, traditional Paiwan songs, and evocative staging. This combination creates a rich sensory world that invites reflection, not only on the historical events that inspired the piece, but also on the universal human experiences of survival, memory, and resilience. The work draws the audience close to the emotions of a community marked by both tragedy and strength.At the heart of Bulabulay mun? lies a simple but deeply resonant question: “How are you?” This phrase, which serves as the title of the piece, frames the entire performance. It is both a greeting and a call for connection—a reminder that beneath historical accounts and cultural differences, there are individuals whose voices, struggles, and joys deserve to be heard. The performers ask audiences to reflect on this question within themselves, and to consider how it might open doors to empathy and understanding.By drawing on real events from more than 150 years ago, the performance does not attempt to offer a factual retelling of history. Instead, it captures the essence of lived experience, showing how the past echoes into the present. The artistry of Tjimur Dance Theatre ensures that these echoes are expressed not only through narrative, but through movement, music, and atmosphere.Bulabulay mun? / how are you? is a work that resonates across cultures. It honours the legacy of the Paiwan people while inviting all who watch to find their own connections within it. Through its choreography and music, it evokes both the turbulence of nature and the tenderness of human connection, balancing moments of intensity with quiet reflection.This performance is more than a story from the past—it is an exploration of identity, heritage, and the ways in which history shapes communities today. It creates space for audiences to sit with big questions while also appreciating the artistry and creativity that bring them to life on stage.In the end, Bulabulay mun? leaves its audience with more than a performance. It offers a moment of pause, a chance to reflect on resilience, and an invitation to consider a question that feels as urgent today as it did 150 years ago: “How are you?”