Hi my name's Nicolas, I'm French and I study Applied Art at FuJen University. My master's topic is the application of contemporay traditionalism to furniture and living objects design in Taiwanese cultural image. Of course,  Aborigine's culture is a part of my research. Through some study cases I have to determine which are the elements that could characterized Taiwanese Aboriginal Culture. Then using these features I can employ them in order to develop my final pieces (furniture and living objects...).

Considering the tribes diversity, I do have some troubles to ascertain what is relevant or not. For example, are the meaning of a pattern or colors the same over the different tribes?
My problem is in fact I don't want to just apply a texture to an object and claim it's influenced by Taiwanese aborigine's art. The function has to be related to the patrimony. I read Taiwanby Chantal Zheng and other reserachers. And it gave me an approach to the topic, but i wish i can go deeper and create something respectful  to their tradition.

Could you suggest me books or any kind of publication related to my topic ? What is your opinion ?

Merci beaucoup

Nicolas

Hello Nicolas
Welcome to the forum.
Your master topic seems to be very interesting.
I could suggest you few things, but I don’t know if they would be useful to you.
I think I would need first to better understand what you are looking for. Talking together directly would be a way and, if you want, we could meet each other as I’m also living in Taipei. Just send me a private email through the forum or use the email box of the website : contact@formosatribal.com
To bring an element of answer to your first question : yes, for sure, the Taiwanese aboriginal groups use very different patterns and colors. The purpose is not only to make easy the distinction from one tribal group to the other, but it can also be a way to make obvious the differences between clans, social classes, ranks or grade ages. We can see these patterns as a way to assert an identity, to adorn its body or its environment, but there is also of a ritual dimension and it can also be a way to protect oneself. The best example that comes first to me is the facial tattoo of the Atayal. Its purpose is too mark the transition to adulthood, with the man being a good hunter (or head hunter) and the woman a good weaver. But there is also another purpose for it : when an Atayal dies, he/she has to cross a rainbow bridge before entering the mythical land of  ancestors ; so the tattoo is the way for these ancestors to recognise who is orinally from the group or who is not. To keep on going on the facial tattoo and its meaning, it is said that the Saysiat were before living in the plains and that, because of the arrival of the Chinese migrants, they were pushed in the mountains, where they encroached on the territory of the Atayal. In order to protect themselves from being hunted for their heads, it is said that the Saysiat adopted the custom of tattooing their face, like the Atayal.
Gehaobo    
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Dear Nicolas,

You may find the book _Material Culture of the Formosan Aborigines_ by Chen Chi-lu useful for your interesting thesis. It was published by the Southern Materials Center in 1968, and reprinted in 1988.

good luck on the research, Paul

Hello Nicolas
I found your email and I'll answer to you privately tonight. In between, you can go on the Bibliography part of the website where you'll find many book references useful for your research.
See you soon
Gehaobo

I totally agree with Paul, the best reference in the field is the Chen Chi-lu's book, the 'Bible' concerning the Taiwanese aborigines material culture.
Thanks Paul for the suggestion.
Gehaobo

Dear Nicolas and Paul,

i found Chen Chi-Lu's book at SMC's bookstore ...
Thanx for your support
I keep you guys updated ... I have to go back to read for now !

Nicolas