Introduction
The double drinking cup is called “ragal” in the Paiwan language. It is a distinctive vessel for drinking liquor only seen among the Paiwan tribe. Two people drink from this cup at the same time. One person holds one end in the left hand and another person holds the other end in the right hand, lifting the cup together to drink from it. This action represents friendship and celebration.

The double drinking cup was used during celebratory banquets, ceremonies and festivals. Special attention was paid to the carved patterns that decorate the cup. For example, the hundred-pace snake pattern was for the exclusive use of the nobility.

Patterns
A variety of patterns are carved on Paiwan double drinking cups. In this example, the theme of the carvings is the hundred-pace snake. The two cups are rhombus-shaped and connected by a pair of hundred-pace snakes. At the handles are the heads of the snakes. The body of the rhombus-shaped cups is undecorated. Except for the inner edge of the cups, the entire utensil is covered in red lacquer.

Production methods
A variety of patterns are carved on Paiwan double drinking cups. In this example, the theme of the carvings is the hundred-pace snake. The two cups are rhombus-shaped and connected by a pair of hundred-pace snakes. At the handles are the heads of the snakes. The body of the rhombus-shaped cups is undecorated. Except for the inner edge of the cups, the entire utensil is covered in red lacquer.

Uses and functions
A variety of patterns are carved on Paiwan double drinking cups. In this example, the theme of the carvings is the hundred-pace snake. The two cups are rhombus-shaped and connected by a pair of hundred-pace snakes. At the handles are the heads of the snakes. The body of the rhombus-shaped cups is undecorated. Except for the inner edge of the cups, the entire utensil is covered in red lacquer.

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