Hualien XinShe Banana Fiber Weaving Composes a New Chapter of Kavalan Culture

By MOOK Travel Life Network Editorial Department, Yang Shengping
 
A while ago, during a tribal workshop in Fengbin, Hualien, I experienced a “ramie weaving course,” learning alongside children from the tribal elders. That’s when I realized how intricate and time-consuming traditional weaving methods are. Yet, many still dedicate themselves to preserving these traditional crafts. Aside from Fengbin’s Maogong Tribe, the nearby XinShe Tribe also has a XinShe Banana Fiber Workshop that promotes traditional weaving.

Upon arriving at the banana fiber workshop, two elderly women were seen outside the entrance processing banana fibers—one was twisting strands together into long threads, while the other was separating them. I struck up a casual chat with one of the aunties. She spoke in very standard Taiwanese, but as my Taiwanese isn’t great, we managed to communicate with a mix of Mandarin. Her Mandarin accent revealed she was of Indigenous origin.

Heading into the first floor of the workshop, there were several workers—mostly seniors—busy weaving banana fibers using various tools. The atmosphere felt a bit like an old-fashioned home-based workshop. Photography was not allowed inside, probably to protect their unique trade secrets. “Hurry up, you young folks!” one bustling auntie teased me with a smile, noticing my tourist-like demeanor. Soon after, another woman approached, saying, “Come, I’ll take you upstairs to see the exhibition room.”

The second-floor exhibition room displays finished banana fiber woven products. There were handmade banana fiber fabrics available for sale to art and design professionals, as well as more everyday items such as modern smartphone cases and small ornaments for regular use. There was even banana fiber paper brought in from a collaboration with PuLi’s Guangxing Paper Mill, and something resembling the “banana fiber lamps” you’d see at the Cardboard King—a type of lamp that instantly caught my eye. “Is this for sale?” I asked eagerly. Unfortunately, due to the material intensity and complex production process, they aren’t available for purchase. All items here are handcrafted, offering a rich tactile feel. Compared to the trendy, mass-produced designs common today, the banana fiber creations are simple, elegant, and uniquely charming, with a touch of retro flair.

One corner of the exhibition room also explains the steps of banana fiber weaving. Aside from the raw material being banana fiber, the process is fairly similar to ramie weaving—ranging from material pre-treatment, thread organizing, bundling, to actual weaving—all quite elaborate. “Our place (the banana fiber workshop) has been around for over ten years…” the auntie explained as I listened. The workshop only started selling products to the public in recent years, focusing mainly on promoting banana fiber weaving and cultural heritage. Walking through the workshop, I found all the aunties and ladies working there incredibly warm and friendly—they were really easy to talk to.