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Paiwan Necklace

Tags: aborigine | accessory | clothing | Paiwan

Ethnic group: Paiwan
Cultural area: Austronesian
Collector/handler: Cheng Hui-ying
Province/collected in: Taiwan Province
County/collected in: Pingtung County
Township/collected in: Laiyi Township
Village/collected in: Nanhe village
Digital Copy Provider:National Museum of Natural Science
 

Description
Azure stone beads, also called dragonfly beads were precious things passed down in the family by chiefs or used in a dowry. They would only be worn in the once every five year festival or when a chief married. The number of beads on the neckwear represented the wealth and position of the wearer.
Also, azure stone beads were used to treat illness and in fortune telling and also were believed to bring luck. Each bead had a different name, sex and story. The order of arrangement also followed special rules.

Shape
This is a hemp band with five branches to which colored large beads and small single color beads and shells are attached. The bottom part features large multi-colored azure stone beads, and this is the most precious and unique part of whole item. The two sides are symmetrical and decorated with shell pieces and orange, green and yellow medium- and small-sized beads.

Manufacturing method

This neckwear is a hemp band with five branches to which colored large beads and small single color beads and shells are attached.

Function and use
This kind of neckwear would only be worn in the once every five year festival or when a chief married. The number of beads on the neckwear represented the wealth and position of the wearer. They would be used as wedding gift to the bride when chiefs married. Witchdoctors would also use the power of the beads in fortune telling.