The length is 244 centimeters and the width is about 65 centimeters. The material is white linen sewed with a piece of red cotton cloth about 40 centimeters on each end. The red cotton cloth is sewed with black, yellow and white stripes on the top. Each end is also decorated with small velvet Tassels. The beauty of the belt is brought out by these contrasting colors. The belt was a kind of formal dress for important ceremonies.

The belt is one accessory for the pants. The Amis wrapped their waists with the belt to cover their mid sections then tied a knot on the back. The falling cloth would then cover their bottoms. The waist accessory that the aboriginal men and teenagers wear today during their tribal harvest ceremony is very similar to this belt.

Department of Anthropology
National Taiwan University