The Austronesians of Taiwan |
I. The Austronesian Peoples
Taiwan's indigenous tribes possessed the knowledge to produce and use simple looms for weaving. The woven cloth of each tribe featured unique patterns, such as the reverse swastika pattern of the SaiSiyat , the shell beads that decorate the woven garments of the Atayal and human head and hundred-pace pit viper patterns of the Rukai. 1. Tsou Leather Caps The leather caps could only be worn by the adult males of the Tsou that had undergone coming-of-age rites. They were usually made from two pieces of deerskin that were sewn together, and worn during special ceremonies with one to four eagle or vulture feathers inserted. At other times, they were rolled up and attached to a belt when not worn as protection for the head. 2. Yami (Tao) Silver Helmets The Yami are the only tribe in Taiwan to have developed techniques for working with silver. Silver pieces were used to produce helmets, worn by the males of the tribe on special occasions. These pieces were pounded into oblong shapes and made thin. They were then placed on a wooden mold and held together with copper wire to form a conical helmet. When worn, the helmet covered most of the face and thus two holes were made for the eyes. At the start of the flying fish season, Yami males would take their silver helmets to the shore and wave them toward the ocean in an invitation to the schools of fish to gather and to pray for blessings for a bountiful catch. 3. Atayal Shell Bead Garments The Atayal tribe did not have a social hierarchy and their clothing typically did not bear any distinguishing marks regarding social status or position. The main functions of clothing were to cover the body, to keep warm and as decoration. However, beaded shirts and skirts were very special. Beaded upper garments were typically sleeveless and featured small white beads ground from shells. These beads were stitched on in horizontal or vertical strands. A garment may have tens of thousands of beads and could weigh between two and three kilograms. Such beaded garments were important betrothal gifts and one to dozens of these garments had to be presented by the groom’s family before the wedding.
4. Flying Fish Tray The trays for serving flying fish could not be used for holding any other type of fish, as this could bring misfortune. If the flying fish tray was accidentally used to serve another type of fish, the tray had to be destroyed and discarded. 5. Earthenware Dolls There was usually much fine sand and other particles mixed in with the clay. Thus, before the men could mold the clay they had to pound it. Once the object was formed it was placed on a wooden rack for firing. The firing process took place outdoors and thus the temperature that could be produced was not very high. Once the firing was finished, the object was removed from the kiln and allowed to cool. 6. Mortar and Pestle for Grinding Betel Nut Long ago, Taiwan’s indigenous peoples began to chew betel nut. It was mostly the elderly who developed this habit. However, for the elderly the outer part of the betel nut was too hard and was removed. The remaining part was ground into small pieces with a mortar and pestle to make it easier to chew. 7. Dragonfly Bead Necklace Glass beads, earthenware vessels and bronze knives are the three cultural treasures of the Paiwan. These were considered family heirlooms. Glass beads were also important betrothal gifts. Some beads worn as part of chest ornaments had protruding decorations on both sides making them appear like dragonflies so were sometimes called dragonfly beads. The small beads next to the larger ones came in solid colors. The yellow bead represented man, the orange bead the forest and the green bead the land. 8. Paiwan Mourning Cloths Mourning cloths were woven with human figure patterns with clear features such as hair, eyes and body in red, orange, yellow and green. Mourning cloths were worn on the outside of the everyday clothing in addition to a mourning cap or mourning shawl. 9. Ceremonial Practices: Paiwan Earthenware Pots The traditional earthenware pots of the Paiwan were considered the dwelling places of the ancestral spirits. They were sacred and thus rarely touched. These pots were usually kept on shelves deep inside the home. The Paiwan divided these pots into male and female genders. Those with hundred-pace pit viper patterns, the rhombus-shaped patterns found on the back of this snake, or human figure patterns were considered males. Those with protruding bumps, incised carving, or sun patterns were considered females. One type of pot has both male and female characteristics and is considered to be of mixed gender. 10. Loveing Home: Slate Dwellings of the Paiwan There is much slate to be found in the mountains of southern Taiwan. The Paiwan used this material to construct houses. They first cleared a dustpan-shaped area on the mountain slope. Then, slate pieces were stacked to create the walls and the roof, just like the scales of the hundred-pace pit viper, a sacred animal of the tribe. The Paiwan considered the home a metaphor for the womb. When a woman was in labor, men could not enter the home. If a woman was having a difficult labor, the family would shake the house from outside to encourage a smooth delivery.
II. Tsou Traditional Lifestyles 1. Warring Ceremony (Mayasvi) The Warring Ceremony, or Mayasvi in the Tsou language, is one of the tribe’s major ceremonies and takes place over several days. Part of the ceremony is held inside the kuba, or men’s meeting hall, during which only the males of the tribe participate. However, part of the ceremony takes place outside the kuba, with both the men and the women of the tribe forming a large circle and dressed in traditional attire. 2. Tsou Buildings A. Men’s Meeting Hall (Kuba) B. Dwellings III. Rukai Traditional Lifestyles The home of the main chieftain is larger than the other homes in the village. Courtyards with a banyan tree mark the homes of the main and lesser chieftains. Weddings between chieftain clans were considered major events in traditional Rukai villages. 1. Rukai Dwellings A. Slate Homes B. Granary C. Weaving Room D. Forging Room E. Danan Youth Meeting Hall IV. Coastal Lifestyle of the Yami The Yami, also known as the Tao, inhabits Lanyu (Orchid Island) located southeast of Taiwan proper. This is the only indigenous tribe to possess a marine culture. The ancestors of the Yami immigrated to Taiwan from the Batanes Islands of the Philippines. Their current population is more than 5,000. Yami society is based on equal rights, and there is no obvious social hierarchy or chieftain system. Individuals can cultivate various skills to earn special recognition. 1. Yami Village Introduction A. Dwellings B. Workhouse C. Free-standing Veranda 2. Fishing Boats The Yami lives on Lanyu (Orchid Island), which is 49 nautical miles from Taitung in eastern Taiwan. Every year, from February to June, the Kuroshio, bring schools of flying fish, which the Yami traditionally caught using wooden fishing boats. Building a traditional fishing boat is a major event. Just obtaining the wood is a big task, as different parts of the boat require different types of wood. The boat is constructed with numerous planks that must be shaped to fit perfectly together using wooden dowels. The seams between the planks are sealed using plant materials. 3. Connection to the Supernatural World: The Main Post of Yami Homes The main post in a traditional Yami home is made from the timber of Pometia pinnata. It is erected under the roof ridge beam in the back room of the home. It is considered the spiritual pillar of the home. When erecting the main pillar, it is necessary to slaughter a pig or goat and to smear the blood of the animal onto the post, while performing prayers. When a home is completed, the owner invites everyone in the village to a ceremony in front of the main post. This ceremony is called miparraka in the Yami language. During the ceremony, the owner of the house announces the heir of the main post. The main post is passed down until it is no longer able to be used. However, once removed it must be left to decay naturally and cannot be used as firewood.
Text and images are provided by National Museum of Natural Science (The Digital Museum of Nature & Culture)
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