Crossing the Stream

This vibrant scene from the Illustrations of the Customs and Manners of the Indigenous Tribesreferring to the Fan She Cai Feng Tu, a mid-18th century album documenting the lives of the "Plains Indigenous Peoples" or Pingpu of Taiwan provides a fascinating look at traditional maritime and riverine skills. Having successfully captured the wild buffalo, the focus now shifts to the logistical feat of moving a community and its animals across a turbulent waterway.

The illustration captures the dynamic movement of the water against the steady resolve of the travelers. The artist uses the natural landscape to frame the action, with a steep, craggy cliff on the left emphasizing the rugged environment.

The artist depicts three distinct methods of crossing the water:

• The Communal Raft: On the left, a group of men pilots a heavy raft fashioned from thick timber or bamboo. They are carrying large bundles, likely containing trade goods or provisions, demonstrating the raft's role as a primary vehicle for logistics.
• The Use of "Waist-Gourds": Several swimmers are shown navigating the current with the help of flotation gourdsknown historically as yaoguhu or "waist-drums," these were dried, hollowed-out gourds tied to the back to act as personal life jackets. This ingenious use of natural materials allowed individuals to cross deep or fast-moving water with minimal equipment.
• Swimming Livestock: On the right, we see the water buffalo's natural affinity for the water. These massive animals are guided through the waves by handlers, their powerful bodies submerged as they swim—a necessary skill for any livestock being moved through the river-rich plains.

The red seal and inscription "Crossing the Stream" on the left serve as both a title and a formal signature of the scene's completion within the album series.