|
:::
|
|
Kavalan people adopted a primitive cultivation method and also hunted for their living. Their clothes and food were taken from the environment. Children had to learn how to cultivate when they were little. They grew millet, corn, sweet potatoes, and paddy rice. Moreover, they hunted animals on the plains and fish in rivers. They made wine, salt, and weave linen into clothes. Thatches and bamboos were used to build houses. Women took care of the fields and men hunted. Children had to learn how to hunt when they are 10 years old.
Weaving is considered a significant tradition technique for Kavalan people. In fact, most of the Austroniesian have a tradition of weaving. However, some techniques were lost due to assimilation with the Han people. Fortunately, Kavalan people still preserve this weaving technique, particularly people live in Sincheng Township of Hualien. Kavalan people always use plant fibers for weaving. In addition, they will choose different plants for making different clothes. For instance, they often use Boehmeria nivea to make clothes and ludwigia peploides, musa sapientum, brossonetia papyifera, and one wild tree called Velanun, to make bags. According to Chang Chen-yue’s study in the “Special ceremony and life of Kavalan”, there are four steps for Kavalan’s weaving: processing plant fibers, organizing the warp and the woof, weaving, and producing the final work. Generally, Kavalan use abaka, a tough fiber for their weaving.
Kavalan’s buildings are constructed out of wood, thatch, and earth. In order to avoid the cold wind blowing into their houses, Kavalan people fill up the cracks between the wood with bull excrements. There are several rooms inside each house. Each of the rooms has its own windows which are opened during the day time and closed at night. The barn is located in the room of the elderly in order to keep children from stealing.
Due to the assimilation with Han people, traditional arts and crafts no longer exist. However, weaving abaka is still well maintained and is considered women’s work.
The quality of abaka can be discerned according to its color. It can be woven into corn bags, haversacks, and bags for betel nuts. It can also be used to make clothes or grass mats. Fresh abaka will become softer after washing.
|
|
|
::: |
