Reed Culture Hall Introduction
In the early days, Yuanli earned the reputation of being the "Home of Reed," where visitors could see many fields planted with reeds. The stems of reeds are soft yet strong, and they can remove moisture and odors, making them ideal for weaving. As early as the beginning of the Qing Dynasty, local women were already weaving grass mats from reeds. Over time and improvements, beautiful reed hats were developed during the Japanese colonial period. Their lightweight nature and natural grassy aroma made them a specialty that was marketed globally. In the 25th year of the Republic, the export of straw hats reached its peak, with annual sales exceeding ten million hats. At that time, having just one woman in the family skilled in weaving reeds was enough to support the whole household, leading to a culture in Yuanli town where the traditional view of male superiority did not apply. There even circulated folk songs that emphasized the value of daughters over sons, demonstrating the community's unique dynamic. As time progressed, traditional hand weaving was gradually replaced by machines, and rising wages dissuaded women from weaving reeds at home, opting instead to work in factories. Consequently, the reed fields became increasingly scarce, and the entire industry faded into history. To preserve this memory, the Yuanli Farmers' Association established the "Reed Culture Museum," hoping to showcase the local characteristics of Yuanli and ensure the sustainable transmission of this traditional craft. The Reed Culture Museum covers an area of approximately 330 square meters and is located next to the Yuanli Farmers' Association’s foothill office. It has been renovated and re-planned from an unused farmers' association warehouse, featuring a red brick exterior. The museum's interior is divided into different themed areas, including the hat and mat culture area, retail area, rural ancient artifact display area, rice culture area, and folk culture area, telling the history of reed weaving to the public. Additionally, there is a demonstration area for hat and mat weaving and a DIY classroom, allowing visitors to engage hands-on and connect more closely with this industry. Outside the museum, various reeds and Chamaecyparis obtusa are planted, creating a beautiful landscape alongside the rice fields painted in colors. Since the scenery changes with the seasons, it offers the best way for the public to understand the significance of reeds.
