[ 摘要 ]

獵首是大多數台灣原住民族群皆有的慣習。從其相關的儀式與禁忌看來，獵首並非只是單純的殺戮行為，其背後應有更深刻的社會文化意義。故若能釐清獵首慣習當中所蘊含的象徵意象，應可對該族群的社會文化整體有更進一步的了解。

本研究以阿里山鄒族的mayasvi為主軸，不僅透過其做為獵首相關儀式之特性，從中回頭來思考鄒族獵首慣習所隱含的意義；亦希望經由mayasvi相關文獻的整理與回顧，以及對其內涵的分析與探討，能了解mayasvi在鄒族社會文化中所扮演的角色與意義。另外，也從獵首慣習與mayasvi的論述中，延伸出鄒族社會文化中內、外人群與族群關係的相關討論。

從本文的討論中，可得知鄒族的獵首慣習反映出社會文化中一種“被動反擊”的特性。從這套反應機制，也可以更進一步的了解為何在外力因素的影響下，達邦與特富野在今日的mayasvi中有不同的表現。mayasvi的本意為為部落整體祈福的祭儀，在現代社會中，除了延續其本意而持續舉行之外，也延伸發展出做為傳承傳統文化之媒介物及文化象徵的意涵。而在面臨新的社會內部群體與族群關係的變化之際，mayasvi也發揮了整合與重構社會內、外關係的作用。

[ 英文摘要 ]

Headhunting is one of the major custom in the Cou. To explore this activity can help us to understand the social and cultural meanings further. Besides, the celebrating rites are usually accompanied the headhunting activities. Therefore, to discuss the ritual significance can help us to know what the purport of the headhunting is as well.

In this essay, taking the Cou mayasvi in Mt. Ali as the example, is more than just debating the issues about both headhunting and ritual significance, but extending the discussion to the development of the ethnic relationship.

As the result, we can recognize the cultural spirits and characteristics from the headhunting activity, as well as the functions of performing the mayasvi are in both integrating and reconstructing the social group relationship. And through the growing of the ethnic consciousness, the meanings of the mayasvi is transformed as the cultural preservation and the represented symbol.