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 [...]
From Byproduct to Cultural Creation: The Betel Nut Tree Leaf Craft of Taitung
To the Amis, the green betel nut (locally called icep) is more than food; it embodies deeper symbolism. Its inner moisture and sweet flavor are compared to a mother’s milk, making it a symbol [...]
The Historical Legacy and Sustainable Future of Taitung’s Indigenous Hunting Culture
In the traditional societies of Taitung’s Indigenous peoples, hunting has never been merely a means of obtaining food. According to field studies conducted by the National Museum of Prehistory between 2010 and 2011, in [...]
Austronesian Threads: A Continuing Legacy
Dawang Tradition In the studio of Liyoumei Chen, a master artisan of the Paiwan tribe, every stitch carries not only the brilliant colors of silk, but also cultural passed down through generations. As [...]
