Abao, Bulareyaung & Bulareyaung Dance Company Cover Vogue Taiwan September 2021

Talents Abao, Bulareyaung & Bulareyaung Dance Company cover Vogue Taiwan’s ‘New Beginnings’ September 2021 issue. Joey Lin styles the cast in Gucci, Robert Wun, Salvatore Ferragamo and more.

The September ‘New Beginnings’ photo shoot by Zhong Lin takes place at sunrise in Taitung Taimali. Yes, it pays tribute to indigenous culture, but the protagonists on the cover are also spirits of freedom. Do not forget that China lays claim to Taiwan, and that claim is worrisome enough. As Hong Kong falls to the centralized power of the Chinese government — losing its free press, for example and now restrictions on entertainment and advertising promoting ‘sissy men’ — freedom is a precious concept in Taiwan.

The centralized government in China — and Republicans in America — also has feminism in its crosshairs, as the rise of female principles and ancient goddess-Gaia mythology again permeates our consciousness.

Vogue Taiwan shares more background on the photoshoot and interpretation of the fashion story. Just hit Google translator and remember not to be thrown by almost every pronoun being ‘he’. Google Translator remains locked in its own patriarchal mindset.

Abao and Bulareyaung are talented cousins, acclaimed for their stunning vocal and dance performances. Both are from the indigenous Paiwan tribe and call Taitung their home, writes Vogue Taiwan. Abao sings in her mother tongue, and supports young indigenous musicians; Bulareyaung left New York to return to his hometown in Taitung, where he continues to live life as Art.

"I became a dancer first, then a choreographer. Then I wanted to become Bulareyaung. Over the years I have been reminding myself to reflect on what it is to be "me." After returning to my hometown Taitung, I started to understand that this is actually a task of a lifetime." ~ Bulareyaung