Sauljaljui (戴曉君) sings Indigenous and traditional Taiwanese songs at the 49th Annual Folk Folk Music Festival

by Imtiaz Popat

Sauljaljui (戴曉君) had the crowd growing and dancing on the opening day of the 49^thannual Vancouver Folk Music Festival at Jericho Beach Park. She is a celebrated Indigenous vocalist from southern Taiwan, known for her soulful blend of traditional Paiwan melodies, Hengchun folk, and global sounds. She also sang a traditional Fujian folk song which is also very popular in Taiwan. She will also be performing with her band at the Mission Folk Music festival with her band.

Her 2025 self-produced album VAIVAIK won Best Indigenous Language Album and Best Arrangement at the Golden Melody Awards (GMA), and also earned Best Folk Album and Best Instrumentalist at the Golden Indie Melody Awards (GIMA).

With her moon lute and powerful voice, she has performed at major festivals including WOMAD (UK), WOMADelaide (AU), Colours of Ostrava (CZ), and Folk Alliance International (CA). Guided by her philosophy “Finding a Way Home Through Music,” she continues to share Paiwan culture worldwide as a musician and cultural advocate.

Siao-Chun TAI (Sauljaljui) – Lead Vocals, Guitar, Moon Lute; Jen-Yi TSENG (NINE G) – Guitar, PGM, Moon Lute & Vocals; Ya-Fang LAI (AVON) – Percussion & Vocals; Han-Kung CHANG (Dakung) – Bass & Vocals

The Vancouver Folk Music Festival is back at Jericho Beach Park after a financial crisis in 2023 which threatened the festival.