<p>Our recent sojourn in Taiwan let us know the island-nation’s indigenous people and their culture, which includes an age-old handicraft. To understand this craft, one must cruise the Sun Moon Lake and then take the cable-car ride to Formosan Aboriginal Cultural Village, an amusement park located in the Yuchi township of Nantou County.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village has nine indigenous tribes, including Paiwan, Bunun, Rukai, Amis, Taroko and Puyuma. With a population of 60,000, Paiwan tribe is the most conspicuous among them.<br /><br />A sought-after treasure that the Paiwan tribe makes is the trove of glass-bead ornaments. The origin of the glass beads remains unclear, and a legend says that their appearance is a miracle.<br /><br />However, the glass beads within the Paiwan culture represent the aborigines’ social position and wealth. For example, necklaces that have complex designs and multiple strands of beads will be crafted for the tribe’s chieftain. Moreover, the aborigines use them to ward off evil spirits. The beads are synonymous with the tribe’s social ceremonies, rites and weddings.<br /><br />These colourful knobs were once crafted only from lead glass, but they are made using quartz nowadays. These beads are similar to the traditional beads and hance have paved way to establish successful bead-manufacturing industries in Taiwan.<br /><br />Before, the glass beads were crafted with hoary motifs like the eye of the sun or the feather of peacocks (which symbolised love) or the lily (which defined virtue). There are over two dozen motifs that adorn the beads. Each signify an identity and legend. Today, Paiwan craftsmen are contemporising the beads and passing on the technique of crafting them to other tribes.<br /><br />At the Formosan Aboriginal Park, there are live demonstrations of crafting beaded ornaments by the Paiwan tribeswomen. A peek at the colourful, motif-rich bead necklaces and hairbands tells us that each work is unique and is made by skillful hands.<br /><br />Snake designs on beaded ornaments are common since the reptile is considered sacred by the tribe.<br /><br />There are also glass-bead chains and hairbands decorated with tassels, bells and feathers. The highlight of this bead jewellery is the massive necklace made of many small colourful beads — a 20-inch flexible chain.<br /><br />Besides crafting beaded jewellery, the craftsmen of the tribe embroider small purses with colourful, motif-rich beads. Designs of butterflies or flower vases are common. The designed purses cost up to NT $200, while the bead ornaments start from NT $250. <br />These jewellery of Paiwan have a plethora of buyers, mostly tourists.<br /><br /></p>
<p>Our recent sojourn in Taiwan let us know the island-nation’s indigenous people and their culture, which includes an age-old handicraft. To understand this craft, one must cruise the Sun Moon Lake and then take the cable-car ride to Formosan Aboriginal Cultural Village, an amusement park located in the Yuchi township of Nantou County.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village has nine indigenous tribes, including Paiwan, Bunun, Rukai, Amis, Taroko and Puyuma. With a population of 60,000, Paiwan tribe is the most conspicuous among them.<br /><br />A sought-after treasure that the Paiwan tribe makes is the trove of glass-bead ornaments. The origin of the glass beads remains unclear, and a legend says that their appearance is a miracle.<br /><br />However, the glass beads within the Paiwan culture represent the aborigines’ social position and wealth. For example, necklaces that have complex designs and multiple strands of beads will be crafted for the tribe’s chieftain. Moreover, the aborigines use them to ward off evil spirits. The beads are synonymous with the tribe’s social ceremonies, rites and weddings.<br /><br />These colourful knobs were once crafted only from lead glass, but they are made using quartz nowadays. These beads are similar to the traditional beads and hance have paved way to establish successful bead-manufacturing industries in Taiwan.<br /><br />Before, the glass beads were crafted with hoary motifs like the eye of the sun or the feather of peacocks (which symbolised love) or the lily (which defined virtue). There are over two dozen motifs that adorn the beads. Each signify an identity and legend. Today, Paiwan craftsmen are contemporising the beads and passing on the technique of crafting them to other tribes.<br /><br />At the Formosan Aboriginal Park, there are live demonstrations of crafting beaded ornaments by the Paiwan tribeswomen. A peek at the colourful, motif-rich bead necklaces and hairbands tells us that each work is unique and is made by skillful hands.<br /><br />Snake designs on beaded ornaments are common since the reptile is considered sacred by the tribe.<br /><br />There are also glass-bead chains and hairbands decorated with tassels, bells and feathers. The highlight of this bead jewellery is the massive necklace made of many small colourful beads — a 20-inch flexible chain.<br /><br />Besides crafting beaded jewellery, the craftsmen of the tribe embroider small purses with colourful, motif-rich beads. Designs of butterflies or flower vases are common. The designed purses cost up to NT $200, while the bead ornaments start from NT $250. <br />These jewellery of Paiwan have a plethora of buyers, mostly tourists.<br /><br /></p>
