Masling is a special word used to praise the soundscape of waterfalls and the swarming of honeybees—sounds that inspired the legendary group singing Pasibutbut of the Bunun Isbukun people. Over time, it has come to serve as a unique metaphor and symbol for the highest inner qualities of a person: an unconditional calm and creativity that reframes difficulties into potential solutions, and the capacity to turn a world vision into action—transforming an unjust world order while sustaining dynamic balance and dialectical harmony. Masling is a special word used to praise the soundscape of waterfalls and the swarming of honeybees—sounds that inspired the legendary group singing Pasibutbut of the Bunun Isbukun people. Over time, it has come to serve as a unique metaphor and symbol for the highest inner qualities of a person: an unconditional calm and creativity that reframes difficulties into potential solutions, and the capacity to turn a world vision into action—transforming an unjust world order while sustaining dynamic balance and dialectical harmony.
Respecting the autonomy of all creatures within the network of territories of life, the Indigenous Taiwan movement strives for nature sovereignty over state sovereignty. In cultivating tribal activists, we emphasize both the formative experiences rooted in Indigenous knowledge systems—grounded in the rhythmic cycles of ecological systems within our interspecies habitats—and the ongoing restoration work in tribal communities recovering from devastating natural disturbances. From the history of colonial conflicts and oppression, we have learned the urgency of pursuing reconciliation between people and nature, and of healing the traumas borne by all. We therefore propose an inclusive process of nation-building—for all ethnic groups, all creatures, and all beings—that enacts the sovereignty of Nature on Earth and safeguards the trinity of linguistic, cultural, and biological diversity.