Hakka Cultural Museum Introduction
The Hakka Folk Art Museum is located in Xishi Village, Zhuqiao Township, Pingtung County. It adopts the unique architectural style of the Hakka "Wailong House," which reflects the deep-rooted characteristics of Hakka ancestral homes. The interior is divided into thematic areas including Hakka Immigration and Land Development Exhibition, Hakka Rural Life Exhibition, Aspects of Hakka Life, and Hakka Culture and Heritage Exhibition. It also features a Hakka Artifact Collection Hall, an audiovisual gallery, a special exhibition area, and a performance space. A visit to the Hakka Folk Art Museum allows one to appreciate the profound connotation of loyalty, respect for ancestors, diligence, frugality, and the encouragement of customs within the Hakka community. The traditional architectural layout of the Hakka houses demonstrates the clan-oriented tendency of the Hakka people. For the Hakka community, which comprises immigrants from other regions, "home" should be the most solid fortress, capable of withstanding external intrusions. Therefore, the architecture in the Six Piles often exhibits strong defensive characteristics. The "Huo Fang" is a unique feature of Hakka architecture, in which relatives from the same ancestor live together in the same building, taking forms such as dual halls, circular houses, and Wailong houses. The Hakka Folk Art Museum is designed in the style of a Tuluo Wailong House, not only providing a comprehensive understanding of Hakka architectural features but also expressing the Hakka’s emphasis on familial bonds. In the courtyard of the Tuluo, a large blue cloth shirt is hung prominently, immersing visitors in a strong Hakka atmosphere. The blue cloth shirt is a traditional Hakka garment, with design details varying according to class and age. The museum showcases a diverse array of artifacts and tools, such as weights, raincoats, ox carts, and shoulder poles related to rural life; furnishing items like studies, ancestral halls, cooking utensils (large stoves, earthen jars), bedrooms (red sleeping beds, foot baths); and clothing-related items like antique sewing machines, cloth pressing stones, blue shirt cutting patterns, various Hakka traditional costumes, belly wraps, and small shoes for bound feet. Each exhibit is worthy of careful appreciation.
