TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — A bronze statue depicting a legend of the Bunun people (布農族) in Taitung County has been painted with bright colors as part of a renovation project.

The Bunun tribe legend of a warrior shooting the sun depicts the tribe's arduous process of sustaining life, which is why images of "shooting the sun" can be seen throughout their villages, especially at entrances, per CNA. A large statue inspired by this story can be seen in front of the Yanping Township Office in Taitung, but it curiously holds a bow without an arrow, leading many to wonder about the story behind it.

Located in Taoyuan Village, the township office recently renovated the park in front of its building. It features a giant bronze statue, "Shooting Towards the Sun," which stands 500 cm tall. 

After being painted, it now shines anew, drawing the attention of locals and tourists. However, some visitors noticed that although the statue portrays a hero drawing the bow, there is no arrow, sparking curiosity.

The statue is the largest in Yanping Township. When it was completed in 2000, the warrior had an arrow drawn, ready to shoot, symbolizing the Bunun tribe’s strength, but in 2007, the arrow was removed.

Former Yanping Township Council Chair Zheng Balan Cheng Pa-lang (鄭八郎) explained that after the statue was completed, the arrow pointed east, directly toward the village of Sazasa (Luanshan) Tribe. Some people felt this was inauspicious and expressed their concerns to the township office.

Hu Hsien-hsin (胡賢信), a former township civil affairs official, explained that after 2001, several village chiefs and public servants from the Tribe passed away due to illness, and some children died young. The township council and Sazasa Tribe villagers suggested the arrow from the statue be removed. 

Initially, villagers considered covering the arrowhead with cloth. Later, someone suggested sawing off the arrowhead. Eventually, the township office decided to remove the entire arrow.

Aliman (阿力曼), director of the Luanshan Forest Culture Museum, shared that there are many versions of the Bunun tribe's sun-shooting story. According to legend, in ancient times, there were nine suns in the sky (though some say there were two), and there was no night, making life difficult for the tribe. 

The crops were scorched by the sun. A father and son took their bows and arrows and chased after the suns, aiming to shoot them down. 

After much hardship, they shot one of the suns in the eye. After communicating with the sun, it understood the tribe's struggles and agreed to alternate between day and night. 

During their pursuit of the sun, the father and son also learned traditional agricultural techniques and seasonal rituals.