Customs of Taiwan's Indigenous People

Roofing the House

original: "乘屋" (Chéngwū). This classical phrase, famously found in the "Seventh Month" poem of the Classic of Poetry (Shijing), refers to the final, urgent stage of house construction: placing the thatch upon the rafters. It is a traditional symbol of communal cooperation and the seasonal rhythms of labor.

Red artist seals

In this detailed scene of communal labor, a large group of men works in a coordinated effort to hoist a massive, peaked thatched roof onto its stone or earthen foundation. A foreman stands atop the roof structure, acting as a director to ensure the heavy materials are balanced and placed correctly.

In the lower-left foreground, two men observe the progress, gesturing toward the construction as they discuss the work. Near the center, the domestic side of village life is visible: a woman carries a child on her back while walking with another small child, illustrating the families who will benefit from the new shelter. The entire scene is framed by a large, wind-swept tree and a rugged, vertical rock face, a style reminiscent of the Pictures of Tilling and WeavingGengzhi tu, which were didactic paintings meant to celebrate the virtues of hard work and social harmony.