Customs of Taiwan's Indigenous People

• The Hand-Catchers: In the swifter currents, men use their bare hands to find fish hiding beneath submerged rocks. This requires an intimate knowledge of the river's flow and the habits of its inhabitants.

Brief Account of the Mo-er-sa

original: "沫兒薩略" (Mò'érsà Lüè). The Mo-er-sa (also spelled Muer-sa) are a subgroup of the Miao people, or sometimes identified as the Mulao, living in the mountainous regions of southwest China. "Lüè" indicates a brief ethnographic summary.

[Imperial Seal]

This expansive two-page illustration provides a vivid record of the Mo-er-sa people, likely from a Miao Albuman ethnographic genre of the Qing dynasty used to document the customs, clothing, and livelihoods of non-Han ethnic groups in the frontier regions. The scene highlights the diverse skills required to master the natural environment of the river and the social bonds that sustain the community.

The Life of the Bank and Stream

The artist captures a variety of specialized activities being performed simultaneously along a rocky shoreline. On the left side of the composition, the focus is on movement and the transmission of culture:

• The Procession: A group is seen moving along the rugged path. Two men carry a large, heavy utility basketa "da-luo," a sturdy woven container used for transporting heavy loads over mountain trails suspended from a pole.
• The Parasol: A figure holds a parasol, which likely serves as protection for a high-status individual or perhaps shields a specific cargo from the elements during the journey.
• Generational Continuity: An elderly man and a young child accompany the group, illustrating how the traditions and survival strategies of the Mo-er-sa are passed down through the family line.

In the center and right side of the illustration, the method shifts to the physical work of the harvest:

• Wicker Traps: Men wade deep into the water, utilizing large, hand-woven bell-shaped trapsconical baskets designed to be plunged over fish to trap them against the riverbed. This method is highly effective in shallow, rocky waters where nets might snag.
• The Environment: The background features the "blue-and-green" style typical of Qing ethnographic painting, showing steep, jagged cliffs. A small Hillside Dwelling is visible, showing how the Mo-er-sa built their homes to harmonize with the vertical landscape.

This record serves not only as a piece of administrative documentation for the Qing court but also as a tribute to the resourcefulness of a people living in harmony with the challenging terrain of the southwest.