The Alpinia Weaving Industry of Taiwan Indigenous Communities

• Main Authors: Pan, Ya-Li, 潘雅莉
• Other Authors: Yeh,Ching-Chia
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2015
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/94322117613876646104

碩士 === 國立屏東大學 === 文化創意產業學系碩士班 === 103 === Alpinia, generally known as Alpinia, is a plant commonly used in Taiwan’s indigenous society. The objective of the present study is to examine the popularity of Alpinia among the Paiwan. Alpinia is a perennial species of Alpinia that thrives in subtropical and low altitude regions. Alpinia is common in Taiwan and relatively accessible. Paiwan society is used as an example in the present study. Alpinia has a wide range of applications, and the entire plant is usable. The leaves and leaf sheaths can be used for wrapping traditional Paiwan food, and the blossoms can be used for decorative purposes. The leaf sheaths are also applied for weaving, and the root of the plant is an ingredient used for brewing tea. In addition to common edible purposes, a unique material culture was also developed from Alpinia based on its characteristics, which represent the indigenous approach of coexisting with nature. Furthermore, despite continuous advancements in the paiwan society, the Paiwan have preserved Alpinia’s unique material culture, which highlights the Paiwan’s cultural identity. The Paiwan learned from ancestral wisdom and employ traditional plants in arts and crafts, which make these plants a necessity for indigenous life. Subsequently, through brainstorming, these plants are now applied in the cultural and creative industry, a context that differs from that of traditional tribal culture. In recent years, the indigenous have transformed traditional arts and crafts into products of the cultural and creative industry, and these products are amiable to the public. Alpinia is now also employed beyond the context of traditional tribal traditions and used in the cultural and creative industry. The present study aims to adopt the perspective of indigenous art studios/the indigenous population to gain an in depth understanding on the discourse relating to problems that arise from the development and promotion of Alpinia outside the indigenous community.