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Shell-bead Garment

The Atayal people consider the shell-bead garment to be the most valuable piece of clothing a person can own. It can be an important object for exchange during Atayal weddings. Made by interweaving linen and cotton threads, the garment always includes the three colors of white, brown, and red. Shell-beads are sewn onto the finished garment. The production involves dyeing and makes use of Atayal weaving techniques (tinun bale and miri). 

 

National Taiwan Museum Digitizing Project of Formosan Aborigines  Collections: the Atayal