Crafts, Subsistence, and the Society

This exhibition room shows the Oceanic Culture of the Yami, the societal norms of the Puyuma, and the ways of living of the Rukai. The crafts, social norms, and subsistence are consolidated to the theme of "Craft, Subsistence and the Society" of this exhibition room. With resources from the sea and the forest, Yami people who live in Lanyu developed refined fishing skills and crafts for shipbuilding. The exhibition room illustrates the building of large ships, the relationship between fishery and the locals, and the introduction of modern fishing technologies. As the NMP brings in the Yami 8-men boat to its collection, the making of the boat is recorded.

Palakuwan, the youth association, is unique to the Puyuma. Young males of 12 to 21 years of age have to join the Palakuwan to acquire skills and knowledge on survival. Nonetheless, the Palakuwan is not only for males, the females also take part in several activities, and often play the role of helpers. For the last few years, the function of the Palakuwan has been promoted to the activity center to strengthen the sense of community and the tribes.

The Rukai people can master the use of the abundant natural resources for living. In the past, only nobles had the right to own the lands, and collect rents from the common people. The legends telling how the nobles owned the land are popular. Nowadays, the Rukai people are very similar to that of other indigenous tribes. They no longer rely on natural resources for living, but rather, have adapted the modern life and became a part of the global socio-economic system.