Taiwan Indigenous News

Tuesday, 25 October 2005

Female head of the national park system seeks to improve parks
... She said she could sense the wisdom of the mountain forests as passed down throughout the ages by Taiwan's indigenous peoples. The ...

Hsieh reveals moves to help indigenous students
... crystal display television to the students at an elementary school in Taitung County and announced more measures to help Taiwan's indigenous children secure ...

Tribe wants official recognition
... "Taiwan's indigenous tribes are all unique minorities in this country, but we are all the original residents of the island. Every ...

The Amis

The Attire of Amis Men

On important occasions such as major festivals and ceremonies, the men’s clothing clearly indicates the wearer’s seniority and standing. This conspicuous visual display of hierarchical organization allows junior members of the tribe to treat their seniors with the proper respect and reverence. At the same time, the elders act as untiring mentors for the young and correct their errors and misdemeanors whenever necessary. In addition to its social and hierarchical function, Amis clothing thus serves educational purposes as well. The women’s garments and ornaments are similarly reflective of the wearer’s age, rank and status. Young girls and unmarried women wear different outfits from married women, which in turn dress differently from more elderly women. Special garments are also worn by women in mourning.

The Attire of Amis Women

1. Headdress: The little floret garlands are made from white feathers and embellished with yellow, green and red sequins. The large chaplets worn by married women are made from many more feathers than the garlands of younger women, so that the feathers cover the entire head.
2. Dress Top: During winter long-sleeved, in summer short-sleeved, these tops come as red jackets with sleeve borders embroidered in black and white.
3. Skirt: Single or double pleated skirts with borders embroidered in white. More sophisticated versions add extra embroideries of clan totems and similar designs.
4. Rabat: Vest-like oblong piece of red cloth adorned with border embroideries and nickel sequins. Fastened over the shoulders and under the armpits, it is worn obliquely across the chest, creating the impression of a slanted neck opening and protecting the woman’s belly from exposure. The rabat is also worn by young girls and old women.
5. Waist Girdle: Two five-colored decorative bands of cloth that are worn around the waist by tying their end tassels together (which then naturally fall down both sides of the body). When the young girls (or all the women) are dancing hand in hand, the flying tassels create an additional visually and rhythmically pleasing effect.

Leggings (or puttees) are made of long pieces of black cloth embellished with strips of white cloth. At their ends, they are also interwoven with woolen threads. Together with the red tops, impressive chaplets and elegant chest adornments, the leggings with their eye-catching black-and-white pattern help to create a stunning overall visual effect.