Dancing with Ethnic Identities: How a Taiwan Aboriginal Dance Club Influenced Junior High Students

Abstract

Research in Taiwan has shown that aboriginal students often have low self-esteem and a negative view of their life due to their heritage. This research studied 14 Taiwan aboriginal students to understand how the experience of aboriginal dance club influenced their ethnic identity. The result showed that the experiences of socializing with other aboriginal group members and learning about traditional tribal culture creating a more positive ethnic identity. Moreover, through international performances, they gained self-confidence and diverse perspectives. The study suggests that schools should give support to students to learn about their ethnic culture to explore their ethnic identity.