Customs of Taiwan's Indigenous People

The source material for this page appears to be the exterior of a modern library folder or protective enclosure. The text contains both library cataloging information and titles for ethnographic records.

Customs of Taiwan Aboriginal Villages

original: 臺灣番社風俗 (Táiwān Fānshè Fēngsú). This title refers to the indigenous peoples of Taiwan, though the text below describes a different group from mainland China, suggesting this folder may contain mixed materials.

ORIENTALIA CHINESE V 2123 S11 T16 11465, 4 items 50 original: 4 ge 50 (4個50)

Planting Taro and Traveling by Cart original: 種芋遊車 (Zhòngyù Yóuchē) [Seal]

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 or overview.

[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—known as "Miaoman Tu"—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 through agriculture and local customs.

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 <...