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 the first person from Taitung to be named a National Living Treasure, Chen, who lives and works in the Dawang Tribal Village, Taimali Township, learned traditional Kinavatjesan embroidery techniques from her great-grandmother, grandmother, and mother. Now, she keeps these traditions alive with her own hands. Over the last 60 years, she has managed to codify eight traditional motifs that reflect a diverse array of stitching methods and patterns. These designs convey the original life of the Paiwan people and their ancestral myths and include totems such as the hundred-pace viper and traditional pottery vessels that denote nobility through symbols of ancestral blessings and sacred lineage.
(Photo credit: @lavaus_studio )
(Photo credit: Taitung County Government)
A Taromak Artisan
In Beinan Township’s Taromak Tribal Village, another major guardian of indigenous heritage is Lo Meiyu, a woman who has committed herself since 1987 to preserving the traditional embroidery of the Rukai tribe. When she started out as an instructor teaching the subject of traditional indigenous clothing, she quickly distinguished herself by embroidering stories from Rukai legends into her garments. Her skill has won her accolades at both regional and national levels, and, in 2019, she was officially named a Preserver of Traditional Crafts in Taitung.
Then, the following year, she was selected as a member of the Taiwan Crafts Workshop. Notably, her art transcends conventional frameworks by fusing Rukai traditions with her Christian faith, resulting in highly distinctive and individualized works.
New Interpretations
Taitung’s embroidery culture is also being reimagined by younger generations. A key representative is Chen Pin-syuan, the founder of the HuaSian brand, who, since 2015, has integrated Puyuma traditional patterns and embroidery into her work. Using the Puyuma color triad of red, yellow, and green as the base, she designs distinctive, ethnic patchwork bags. In addition to carefully chosen floral fabrics, Chen also creates her own original textiles and patterns. What sets her apart is her collaboration with tribal women: while they excel at embroidery, they often lack patchwork sewing skills. Through this cooperation, she merges their strengths with the expertise of her studio, adding cultural depth and a compelling narrative to her contemporary streetwear.
(Photo credit: @huasiann )
(Photo credit: @huasiann )
(Photo credit: @lavaus_studio )
High Fashion, Educational Praxis
The Taitung County Government actively promotes indigenous culture on Taiwan’s national stage. In 2022 at Taipei Fashion Week, Liyoumei Chen partnered with designer Chou Yu-Ying for the spotlight event, Encounter: An Indigenous National Living Treasure Meets Fashion. The collaboration produced two original outfits based on over a hundred embroidered pieces that Chen had crafted over decades. Inspired by Paiwan totems and social hierarchy, Chen also presented a stunning green princess gown, an archetype of Paiwan femininity.
Audiences were captivated by the fresh, modern take on an indigenous aesthetic. That same year, the National Taitung Living Art Center launched the Kinavatjesan embroidery workshop, which, led by Chen, supports the continuation of traditional arts through educational praxis.
Cultural Diplomacy: From the Tribe to the World
Taitung’s embroidery has also been able to cross international borders through the support of Taiwan’s Ministry of Culture. In July 2025, Chen and other National Living Treasures traveled to Santa Fe, New Mexico, to participate in the International Folk Art Market (IFAM). There, they engaged with 142 leading artists from 57 countries in deep cultural exchange. Taiwan’s Indigenous crafts were able to shine through their unique cultural character. Specifically, these are weaving techniques that have been handed down for generations from mother to daughter, collaborative practices that are both intergenerational and involve the entire tribe, and the sharing of knowledge via oral histories, chanting and singing.
(Photo credit: Taitung County Government)
(Photo credit: Taitung County Government)
In 2024, the Taitung County Government also hosted the Taromak Traditional Embroidery Showcase. Rukai artisan Lo Mei-yu led over 90 hours of immersive workshops and produced remarkable creations, including embroidered pillows, backpacks, hangings tapestries, and traditional vests. These works demonstrated how cultural tradition can continue to evolve and resonate in contemporary contexts.
