The “Hands-on Paiwan Glass Bead Bracelet Workshop” took place on April 27th from 3 to 5 p.m. at the International College Salon in the Zonghe Lecture Building. By combining an engaging handmade process with local cultural interaction, the workshop aimed to help students and faculty from the International College explore diverse aspects of Taiwanese culture, particularly the Indigenous culture which is rarely showcased.

The activity was organized by Wei Ti (gayagay valjius), a research assistant from the Master Program in Global ATGS. Drawing from her Taiwanese Indigenous descent, she shared the artistry of “glass beads”, a renowned cultural symbol of the Paiwan people. Throughout the workshop, the presenter provided deep insights into Indigenous culture and the current social situation, while integrating online interactive games and basic Paiwan language instruction to enhance engagement.

During the weaving session, participants showed great interest in the symbolism behind each bead pattern. From selecting the beads based on their meanings to the final weaving, students not only gained a sense of achievement, but also infused their creations with personal wishes. For instance, one of the most popular choices was “the Bead of the Chrysalis” (“marutjamulang” in the Paiwan language), which represents agility, excellence, a pioneering spirit, and prosperity.

The workshop attracted more than twenty participants, including students and faculty from the five programs within the International College, with SMART MHI forming the largest group. Feedback indicated that participants were most impressed by the novel experience of the weaving process. Through these interactive sessions, we hope to inspire the participants to continue their journey of exploring Indigenous culture after the workshop.