Return of Paiwan Cultural Artifacts on Display; Flag from the Mudan Incident Draws Attention

Written/Compiled and Reported by Li Xinyi, MOOK Travel Life Network

 

The National Taiwan Museum houses 28 ancient artifacts from the Taroko (Takubuwa) Tribe of the Paiwan people, along with 17 locally collected artifacts from Shishi Township. From now until March 30, 2013, they are being exhibited for the first time at the Shishi Township Cultural Artifacts Exhibition Hall in Pingtung County. This exhibition, titled “Distant Echoes e-nelja, Glory vuvu – The Return Exhibition of Ancient Artifacts from the Taroko Tribe of Shishi Township,” features as its most prominent item the “Mudan Incident Tribal Submission Protection Flag.” This flag was distributed by Japanese forces in 1874 during the Mudan Incident, when they invaded the Mudan Village, to indigenous tribes that were friendly toward the Japanese army. At the time, the chief of the central Nan village (a branch of the Taroko Tribe) was compelled to accept this flag to protect his territory and the lives of the various tribes and avoid becoming a target of Japanese attack.

In 1913, the grandson of the original flag owner donated the artifact to the museum, and in 2010 it was designated as an “Important Cultural Property.” This marks the first time in nearly a century that the flag has returned to its place of origin, and also its first ever exhibition outside storage—making the event highly significant. Other displayed artifacts include Paiwan men’s animal-tooth head rings, bamboo tubes containing animal bones, rattan baskets, spoon baskets, qiang (mountain goat) skin hats, linked cups, beaded ornaments, and other daily items and clothing. Visitors can learn about the original uses of these artifacts through the oral histories shared by tribal elders.

National Taiwan Museum Director Chen Jimin stated that because Shishi Township is a lowland tribe with early Sinicization, many tribal members no longer remember their own history, and those who can still communicate with elders in the native language are becoming increasingly rare. Therefore, recording oral histories has become an urgent task. This special exhibition was guided by the National Taiwan Museum, with Paiwan people from Shishi Township conducting their own field research and writing exhibit texts. Through this curatorial opportunity, the museum assists the southern Paiwan indigenous people in better understanding and uncovering their own history during the fieldwork process. Shishi Township Mayor Kong Chao personally delivered a speech, expressing gratitude to the museum’s curatorial team for returning the ownership and interpretation rights of the artifacts to the township. He described the excitement of the exhibition’s return and the revival of southern Taiwan’s glory as making his “heart boil.” “Only when tears fall on one’s own soil does the soul come alive!” The exhibition is free to visit; for details, please check the official website: www.pthg.gov.tw/TownSzt.

 

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