Semi-Subterranean Houses Built for Wind and Heat, Reflecting the Tao People’s Everyday Wisdom
On Lanyu, the Tao people's semi-subterranean houses stay cool in summer and warm in winter, embodying generations of wisdom shaped by wind, heat, and typhoons.
Restoring Lanyu’s Endemic Black Millet and Sowing Forgotten Island Culture Back into the Land
In the traditions of the Tao people, black millet is regarded as a grain of blessing and holds a noble place in local culture. People wrap millet in Indian almond leaves [...]
Stories of Tribal Totems: Tracing the Creative Roots of Indigenous Art
Walking into the tribal communities of Taitung, one can often see lines and patterns on wood carvings, woven textiles, ceramic pots, and even on the backs of elders’ hands. These totems are not merely [...]
The Craft of Tao Plank Boats: Preserving a Living Ocean Heritage
On Orchid Island, the Tao people build intricate plank boats using wood, pegs, and resin—no nails required. Each boat carries generations of ecological knowledge, sacred symbolism, and a living connection to the sea.
Austronesian Craft in Taitung: Making Bark Cloth Through Cultural Memories
Bark cloth is one of the most iconic traditional crafts of the Austronesian peoples. Long before the invention of weaving, people repeatedly pounded the bark of the paper mulberry (Broussonetia papyrifera) and other Moraceae [...]
Slate Houses of Jialan Village: Preserving Rukai Architectural Heritage
In 1964, Mr. Chen Liu-chiu of the Rukai people moved with his family from Kucapungane (Haocha Village) in Wutai Township, Pingtung, trekking across mountains and eventually settling in Jialan Village, Jinfeng Township. In the [...]
