Tribal art of Taiwan

Bunun man in the village of Dilih, central Taiwan, wearing a woven headband, adorned with the horns of a Reeves’ muntjac (Muntiacus reevesi ssp. micrurus). In former days, aboriginals of Taiwan were keen hunters. (Photo copyright © by Kaj Halberg)

This mosaic, artwork of the Atayal tribe Da An (‘Great Peace’), who live in the mountains around Dongshih, near Taichung, depicts men and a dog, hunting an Asian black bear (Ursus thibetanus). This animal was formerly an important totem animal of several Taiwanese tribes. (Photo copyright © by Kaj Halberg)

Taiwan is home to a multitude of peoples of Malayan origin, who inhabited this island long before the invasion of Chinese peoples. Today, these tribes number about 600,000 persons, about 2.5% of the island’s population.

Officially, indigenous peoples of the island are divided into 16 groups, some of them with several sub-tribes: Amis, Atayal, Bunun, Hla’alua, Kanakanavu, Kavalan, Paiwan, Puyuma, Rukai, Saisiyat, Sakizaya, Sediq, Thao, Truku, Tsou, and Yami, each having its own distinct culture, language, customs, and social structure.

Some pictures, depicting ethnic minority groups of Taiwan, are shown on the pages People: Portraits, and People: Children around the world.

Many areas, especially in central Taiwan, are adorned with wonderful art, created by indigenous peoples.

Formerly, aboriginals of Taiwan were keen hunters, mainly hunting the wild boar (Sus scrofa), which was of huge importance as a food source, a fact, which is evident from their artwork.

The Asian black bear (Ursus thibetanus) played an important role as a totem animal. The sad fate of this animal is described on the page Folly of Man.

Another totem animal, venerated by various Taiwanese peoples, is the sharp-nosed pit viper (Deinagkistrodon acutus).

Below is first a number of pictures, depicting artwork of unidentified tribes, then artwork of various peoples.

The following 6 pictures depict artwork, produced in a village near Cing Yun Waterfall, south of Alishan.

Wooden sculpture and a wall painting, both depicting Taiwan blue magpie (Urocissa caerulea). This species, which is endemic to Taiwan, is described on the page Animals – Birds: Birds of Taiwan. (Photos copyright © by Kaj Halberg)

In former times, large penises, carved in wood, were utilized among certain Taiwanese tribal peoples, when there had been a landslide. The women of the tribe would point the penis at the landslide, which, supposedly, would cause it to settle.

For millennia, owls have appealed to people’s imagination due to their nocturnal living, silent flight, and mysterious hooting. They often play a role in indigenous mythologies, and carvings depicting owls are seen in many cultures around the world.

A widespread legend among the indigenous peoples of Taiwan relate that once upon a time there were two suns in the sky, making the climate unbearably hot. A mighty hunter took his bow and arrow and shot down one of the suns, which became the Moon.

Amis

This tribe, also known as Pangcah, are the most populous Taiwanese tribe, numbering about 180,000. They mainly live in the lowlands along the east coast, from Hualien southwards to Taitung. The Amis have a matrilineal society, where the husband moves in with the wife after marriage, and the children take the mother’s surname.

Atayal

This tribe call themselves Tayal, which simply means ‘people’. They mainly live in the northern mountains, numbering about 86,000 individuals, which makes them the third-largest indigenous group in Taiwan.

The artwork in the pictures below was created by members of the Atayal tribe Da An (‘Great Peace’), which lives in the mountains around Dongshih, northeast of Taichung.

This collection of artwork was made by members of the Atayal tribe Tian Gou (‘Heavenly Dog’), who also live near Dongshih.

Bei

These wooden sculptures, overgrown by algae, were produced by Bei tribals at Erbensung, Dasyueshan National Forest. They depict a warrior and a woman with tattooed face, who is carrying a basket, using a headband. (Photos copyright © by Kaj Halberg)

Bunun

The Bunun, numbering about 50,000 people, mainly live in the mountains in the central part of the island. They grow crops like millet, fruits, and vegetables, and supplement their diet with livestock and fishing.

The pictures below show various artwork of the Bunun tribe, exhibited at a tribal fair in the village of Dilih, central Taiwan.

The pictures below show Bunun artwork, observed near the town of Wushe (Renai), central Taiwan.

Another mosaic, depicting a Taiwan serow (Capricornis swinhoei) with two kids. This animal, which is also endemic to Taiwan, was formerly hunted for food by various tribes, but is protected today. (Photo copyright © by Kaj Halberg)

Hsia-yeh

The artwork in the pictures below was produced by Hsia-yeh tribals, living near Taitung.

Lin

The mosaics below, observed at Wufong, near Hsinchu, was made by Lin tribals.

Maopu

At Wufong, near Hsinchu, Maopu tribals created these mosaics from broken tiles.

Rukai

The Rukai people, numbering around 13,000 souls, live in mountains of southern Taiwan. They call themselves Drekai, and among the Taiwanese of Chinese descent they are known as Tsarisen (‘people living in the mountains’).

In former times, the Rukai revered the clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa), and also the sharp-nosed pit viper, which was regarded as the spirit of their ancestor.

The artwork in the pictures below, observed at Maolin, Kaohsiung County, is possibly made by Rukai people.