After three years of production, the international TV show Secrets of the Ocean Tribes commissioned by the Council of Indigenous Peoples will officially air on Channel 18 (National Geographic Channel) on Fridays at 9:00 p.m. starting on Feb. 18. The three-week production will cover the six major topics of Austronesian languages, bark cloth making, pottery arts and crafts, ancient shipbuilding, indigenous-style tattooing, and traditional buildings, and seeks to explore the connection between Taiwanese and Austronesian cultures in order to verify whether Austronesian languages indeed have their origin in Taiwan. 

    The show was filmed in regions including New Zealand, the Philippines, Malaysia, Solomon Islands, Fiji, and Easter Island to explore the cultural connections between Taiwan and Austronesian-speaking countries and inform the international community about Taiwanese and Austronesian cultures. With indigenous artist Yosifu and British anthropologist Julian Davison as the cohosts, viewers will be led to venture into Austronesian regions, expanding their horizons.

Secrets of the Ocean Tribes will air in more than 40 countries/regions including Southeast Asia, Northeast Asia, New Zealand, Australia, and the South Pacific islands. It will premiere in Taiwan on the following dates:

Episode 1 “Secrets of the Ocean Tribes: Returning Home”: Friday, Feb. 18 at 9:00 p.m.

Episode 2 “Secrets of the Ocean Tribes: Wisdoms of Living”:Friday, Feb. 25 at 9:00 p.m.

Episode 3 “Secrets of the Ocean Tribes: Cultural Impressions”: Friday, Mar. 4 at 9:00 p.m.