Ketagalan Cultural Center traces Taiwan’s indigenous people

In a fitting tribute to its aboriginal ancestry, a museum cum research cum educational facility was developed at Beitou (北投) in 2002. Aptly named as The Ketagalan Cultural Centre, it is an ideal place to learn about the history, social structure, customs, religion and beliefs of Taiwan’s indigenous people.

As you walk around the silent corridors, blissfully quiet on weekdays, looking at the pictures and artifacts, the docent recounting stories from their life, you are bound to feel fascinated by that vibrant culture. Looking at the tall ten storied structure from outside, which was military housing before, however, it is rather hard to imagine that the center has become a true symbol of the city’s cultural diversity.

Two beautiful wooden statues — man and woman from the Tshao tribe — welcome you as you enter and soon you get immersed in their culture. There are about twelve indigenous tribes in Taiwan and they bear close links with the Austronesians, an ethnic group that live in a vast area stretching from Madagascar to all the way to New Zealand.

The second and third floor houses various exhibits — mostly household items used by the different tribes and numerous pictures to bring alive the interesting customs and festivals. The rest of the floors are off limits to visitors, and house a fully developed library and administrative offices, among other things.

It is from there, I came to know that unmarried women had special “girls” quarter, away from the family where they could be visited by prospective suitors. The Pingpu tribe loved their family members so much that after death they were buried under their bed, or very close to the home. There are many such interesting things to discover, and since the place is not very far off, it does merit a visit.

There is a shop on the ground floor selling unique and exotic objects the art that speak very highly of the workmanship of these artists. The jewelry items and the head covers are so beautiful, and reasonably priced, that you may want to visit this place just for that.

GETTING THERE:

Address: 3-1 Zhongshan (中山) Rd., Beitou District, Taipei City

Tel: (02) 2759-5565

The best way to go there is to take the MRT, Danshui Line. From Beitou, transfer to Xinbeitou Line and get off at Xinbeitou (新北投) Station. The museum is about five minutes’ walk from the station, just opposite the Chingshui Park.

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