Catching Wild Water Buffalo

This vibrant illustration from the Illustrations of the Customs and Manners of the Indigenous Tribesreferring to the Fan She Cai Feng Tu, a mid-18th century album commissioned by the Qing imperial inspector Liu-shi-qi to document the lives of the "Plains Indigenous Peoples" or Pingpu of Taiwan depicts the thrilling pursuit of wild buffalo.

Unlike the deer hunt which provided food and trade goods, the capture of water buffaloBubalus bubalis was often a precursor to their domestication. These powerful animals were essential for the heavy labor of tilling the wetlands and rice paddies as agriculture expanded across the island.

The artist depicts a dynamic landscape where the hunt is in full swing:

• The Lasso Technique: Three hunters are shown mounted on horseback—a detail that reflects the adoption of equestrian skills by some indigenous groups during the Qing dynasty. They are seen expertly wielding long poles or lassos to ensnare the buffalo.
• The Struggle: The central buffalo is captured in a moment of powerful resistance, its head lowered and its muscular body tensed against the pull of the hunters. The artist uses fine ink lines to convey the raw energy of the beast.
• The Landscape: The setting is a lush, hilly terrain typical of the Taiwanese foothills, painted with light color washes that provide a sense of depth and atmosphere.

Historical records suggest that wild water buffalo were not originally native to Taiwan but were introduced by the Dutch or Spanish in the 17th century. By the time this album was created, large herds had become feral, roaming the plains and providing a challenging target for indigenous hunters.

Through this scene, we witness a pivotal intersection of traditional hunting culture and the shifting economic landscape of 18th-century Taiwan, where the wild was increasingly being brought under human control for the purposes of settled farming.