Kuo Ying-Nan (Amis: Difang Tuwana; Chinese: 郭英男; March 20, 1921 – March 29, 2002) was a Taiwan-born member of the Pangcah people (Amis) from Falangaw (Ma-Lan Tribe), Taitung, and he was one of the leading singers and inheritors of traditional Amis culture and ballads.
Guo Ying-Nan was born in 1921 in the Taitung Falangaw Tribe, a member of the "Revival" groups (latihmok) in the Amis age hierarchy.[1] He was a highly respected elder known for his gifted, sonorous vocal and lead singing techniques, often listed by ethnomusicologists as an important informant.[2] In 1988, the Maison des cultures du monde in Paris hosted the "Asia-Pacific Indigenous Dance and Music Festival", in which the Paiwan tribe from Sandimen of Pingtung County, the Bunun tribe from Wulushan of Yanping Township of Taitung County, and Guo Ying-Nan with his wife participated, under the arrangements of Hsu Chang-Hui, Tsai Li-Hua, and Hsu Ying-Chou.[3] The performances of the festival were recorded in the album Polyphonies vocales des aborigènes de Taïwan produced by the Maison des cultures du monde in Paris.[4]
In 1993, the German band "Enigma" sampled a portion of a song called “Song of Joy” (palafang)[i] recorded by Guo Ying-Nan in France, and mixed it into their song "Return to Innocence", which was then selected as the theme song for the 1996 Summer Olympic Games.[5] However, Guo Ying-Nan had not authorized them to sample his song; and with the event underway, a controversy surrounding indigenous culture and copyright soon emerged. Ethnomusicologist Ming Li- Kuo also pointed out the conflict between the copyright system and oral tradition culture and even the inheritance of culture, as well as the potential impact on cultural development.[6] Afterward, Enigma and Guo Ying-Nan reached a settlement through mediation by the Magic Stone Record Company.[7] In addition, Enigma's music manager at Virgin Music Germany stated that Enigma's founder, Michael Cretu, had no intention of violating anyone's copyright.[8] Guo Ying-Nan commented that as long as people knew that this song was from the Amis of Taiwan and was sung by his wife and himself, then the two of them would accept it in good part.[9]
In 1998, Guo recorded his debut album Circle of Life in Taiwan with the assistance of Belgian music producer Dan Lacksman.[10] It included his best-known song "Song of Joy" (palafang).[3] The album sold well in Taiwan, and ranked 15th place in the IFPI.[11] At the end of 1999, Guo released his second album Across the Yellow Earth, which the next year won him the Best Ethnic Music Album at the 11th Golden Melody Awards, and Guo was also nominated for Best Male Singer.[12][13]
On March 3, 2002, Guo Ying-Nan died from pneumonia caused by septicemia, at the age of 81.[11] Three weeks later, his wife, Guo Xiu-Zhu, also died.[14]