About us
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The Mystical Force of the Immortal：Legend and Life Metaphor of the Paiwan Multi-colored Glass Beads
Of Taiwan’s indigenous groups that use multi-colored glass beads, the Paiwan people are particularly noted for the significance of such beads in their culture.
The Paiwan people believe that these beads have the power to bless, protect, and assail disaster and punishment. Traditionally they belonged to the noble class, and while they may have later become more available, they remain an essential gift at Paiwan weddings, as well as an indispensable ornament in celebratory rites and ceremonies. -
A Story that Transcends Time: Heartfelt Episode of Passing on the Heritage of Multi-colored Glass Beads
In terms of local connections, other places couldn’t possibly be like us Paiwan people, with the whole tribe so confidently identifying with the connection to our multi-colored glass beads.
———— Shih Hsiu-Chu (remereman Taruzaljuan), the Dragonfly Beads Art Studio
With significant recent changes in living conditions, the utilization and cultural significance of Paiwan multi-colored glass beads have changed accordingly. Firstly, a great number of beads have been lost due to changes in cultural policy and economic conditions. Shifts in societal conditions and changes in aggrandizing social status have served to create a new role for those surviving beads centered upon arrangement of betrothal gifts and a particular clothing item for festive rituals and ceremonies. The significance of these objects in terms of inheritance fluidity, of prestige concerning family filial name and ceremonial use has gradually come to transcend the strict regulations of traditional class divisions. While multi-colored glass beads are still a ‘cultural umbilical cord’ for the Paiwan people, connecting them closely to their indigenous culture, this cultural significance has in turn inspired a new many contemporary indigenous artists, of which the Dragonfly Beads Art Studio set up by Mr. and Mrs. Shih Hsiu-Chu is one example. Meanwhile, artifacts contained in museum collections have preserved rich cultural threads of the traditional form in earlier time. -
The Glory of the Mountains
Dragonfly Beads Art Studio, a 30 person workshop studio, like a tribal classroom, emerge from the flame, bringing vibrant young life and its special beauty, as the river runs through continuously , endlessly and limitlessly.
Song of Multi-colored Glass Beads
With each bead of glaze, we receive the eternal blessings of our ancestors;
With each string of beads, we clasp the ever-present spirit of our forebears.
Bright dots, vivid patterns- an eternal totem.
The colorful shades of wisdom of our people;
The treasured gems of our tribe.
She makes our mother culture ever-lasting;
She links us to the cordial greeting of the world.
Beads of glaze; O! Beads of glaze
Everlasting rainbow of the mountains;
Deep and strong flow the affections of the indigenous world.