Wandering along the path by the “Takeshi Kaneshiro Tree” in Nanan,
waves of rice sway gently in the wind,
and the ripe grains dance lightly with the autumn breeze.
The organic rice fields are turning golden,
their heavy heads of grain bowing as if singing the joy of a bountiful harvest.

Laughter echoes through the fields.
Several villagers are already busy harvesting:
some bending to cut the rice,
some tying the bundles,
and others loading them onto carts.
Today, everyone gathers not to harvest their own fields,
but to help others first.
This is called “reciprocal labor”, also known as “work rotation.”

Reciprocal labor is a system of taking turns:
today you help at my home,
tomorrow I help at yours,
and so on until the work is finished.
For Indigenous communities, sharing food, labor, and helping each other is simply a natural part of life.

“So-and-so’s family needs help harvesting — I’ll go help.”

“So-and-so’s family is getting married — I’ll go help.”

“The neighbors need to prepare their fields — I’ll go help.”

For the Bunun people, helping one another and sharing is simply part of everyday life.
From a young age, elders bring children into the community’s work through this system.
Growing up immersed in this way of life, mutual assistance becomes ingrained in one’s blood — unquestioned and natural.
This rotation system strengthens bonds between community members.

Even as times change, the spirit remains the same.
With modern farming equipment, young farmers like Xihui can take on much of the plowing work,
while the chief helps manage the irrigation channels.

In no time, the cart is filled with rice.
The shouts, laughter, and sweat in the fields are among the deepest expressions of connection between people and the land