TAIWAN CRAFTS JOURNAL

Jun.2016 / Vol.61

|Feature

The Land and Life: Resonance between Crafts and Different Times of a Year

In ancient China, people gained everything from the land they lived in. They carefully observed changes of the sky and the weather and how the universe worked, dividing a year into 24 solar terms. Customs and rituals out of that system turn out to be the bible that teaches people how to farm and how to live one's life, becoming an important part in the Chinese culture and everyday life. On the island of Taiwan, multiple ethnic groups co-exist, be it the Han immigrants or the indigenous people, they all show great wisdom of adjusting their lifestyles in different environments according to seasonal changes. That results in a diverse and rich culture where crafts are reflecting people's lives. Nowadays, agricultural society has become the past and everything is about industrial and commercial developments. Handmade crafts are gradually replaced by cheap products that could be mass-produced in a short time. However, there are people who start to feel that is too much and fed up with that kind of style. They want natural materials, craftsmanship and arts and culture back and pay close attention to the inseparable connection between the land and solar terms. Slow-life, crafts and new cultural tours are officially making a comeback! 

Taiwan's Culture and Festivities Embodied in Traditional Crafts

Folk crafts in Taiwan, whether made for casting out the evil, wishing for the auspiciousness or pursuing a harmonious living environment, the ultimate goal is always about fertility and prosperity. Being translated into crafts, people usually see a lot of things going on in one piece. That is also what makes folk crafts of Taiwan special in its own way. 

The Passing of Time: Beauty in a Simple Life

Folk crafts show various sides of nature and landscapes in different times of a year, interpreting what objects in daily life really mean as well letting us see how beautiful it is to keep everything simple. It is these ordinary things that help motivate us to work harder, add up much fun in life and keep us company. They also reflect the social structure, changes of industry and economic condition and exchanges of ideas on cultural values.

Beauty of Traditional Crafts of the Indigenous People of Taiwan

The development of traditional crafts and arts of Taiwanese indigenous people has showcased material civilization and culture of different ethnic groups, revealing their aesthetics, definition and characteristics of objects. These traditional crafts also let us see how indigenous people are collecting materials according to different times and seasons of a year to make crafts and the crafts are also closely associated with indigenous rituals and religions.