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Conventionally, Truku tribe lived mainly by slash-and-burn. Millet, corn and sweet potato were the most common crops they cultivated and their main food sources. In addition to farming, similar to other aboriginal tribes, Truku people also obtained living essentials from the nature. Hunting and fishing were their primary economic activities; as a result, the meat and fish from such activities became the secondary foods.
Along with the change of society, Truku people started to grow paddy rice, and hunting activities were limited, making the traditional food culture almost fade away.
The traditional costume of Truku is the same as Atayal’s—the oblong system. The Truku pople sewed the long strip of weaved cloth simply into clothes without cutting, and the clothes look like vests without collars and sleeves. The traditional costume of Truku is predominantly made of white and dark brown linen cloth. Geometric figures are the major patterns, and the diamond –shaped patterns are especially important, which represent “eyes.”
Facial Tattoo
Facial tattoos used to be important body adornments of Truku people. The process of doing tattoo is extremely painful, which is a proof of passing through the ordeal and indicates “Rite of Passage.” Without facial tattoos, people could hardly get married and would be rejected.
There is another legend in Truku: after someone died, his or her soul would walk through a rainbow, and only people with tattoos on face could be greeted and led by ancestor spirits on the other end of the rainbow bridge. However, facial tattoo was forbidden during the Japanese occupation; moreover, Christianity, Catholicism and the predominant Han Culture all made this tradition no longer exist in Truku.
1. Hardwood and ophidian wood are the materials for beams and pillars.
2. Walls are confronted by bamboo slices.
3. Roofs are made from thatch barks and laurel bamboos.
4. Deceased members of a family were buried under the bed. (which means they would always be together with and protect the family)
5. A propped-up warehouse was constructed outside the yard which can avoid rats.
6. Tower watches were built at higher places in every tribal unit in order to defend against any invasion.
LoBag
The LoBag of Truku is made of the hallow laurel bamboo slices with a sheet-metal inside (mostly copper). Both sides are bound with strings: left hand fastens the string on the left side and right hand pulls and drags the string on the right hand side so as to make sounds by vibration. With bamboo slices placed in front of the mouth which is used to be the sound box, a player plays brisk music by adjusting the space inside mouth to differentiate different musical scales.
Traditional Cloth Weaving
Weaving was an essential skill every woman must have before getting married in Truku tradition. Ramie is the material for cloth weaving, and the whole process is very complicated.
Beads Clothes
Using white beads like mung beans to decorate clothes has become the costume culture of Truku. Beads clothes were worn by the heads of tribal units and headhunter heroes when coming back from a victorious fight or participating in a party. Moreover, it was also an important betrothal gift, and the beads skirts, beads head and leggings can be made of beads as well. Beads skirts were given by the groom’s family as thanks gifts to the bride’s parents after engagement or childbirth. Beads hats were worn by heads in tribal units.
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