The traditional name of the Rukai people is based on the family name system, and it is passed down from generation to generation, which is similar to that of the Paiwan people. However, the Paiwan tribe inherits the house and family name by the "eldest heir", while the Rukai tribe inherits the family house and family name by the "eldest heir". Since the Rukai tribe is also a class society, the naming needs to be based on social class status and cannot be surpassed.
The traditional name system of the Paiwan people is the "family name system", and the complete form of the name is "personal name + family name". The Paiwan people have the concept of a family name instead of a surname. It is the naming of the house after it is established, and the name often has a special meaning. For example, in the adidang of the Raval family of the Paiwan tribe (also the created man, the son of the land, referring to the common people in the order.) there is a family named Livangerhau, which literally translates to Rainbow House, which means beautiful. In Paiwan culture, we must go back to the original context of culture and language in order to know the real aborigines.
The family house is inherited by the vusam (seed, eldest heir) tradition of the family house, and the concept of continuous family life is continued like millet seeds, the main crop in the culture. Traditionally, when you live in a different house, you need to change your family name. Marriage is also an important intermediary ceremony. When the spouses who marry into the family live in a new house, they will have a new family house and change the family name. If a commoner is married into the leader's family, it must be replaced with the name of the leader's class that suits the status.But most of the young Lukai and Paiwan people do not know the origin of their names.
