Hakka Cultural Museum Introduction
The Hakka Cultural Museum is located in Xishi Village, Zhude Township, Pingtung County. It features the distinctive "Wailong House" architectural style, which embodies the authentic appearance of Hakka heritage. Inside, there are themed spaces such as the Hakka Immigration and Development Exhibit Area, Hakka Rural Life Exhibit Area, Hakka Lifestyle Overview, and Hakka Culture and Heritage Exhibit Area. The museum also includes a Hakka Artifact Collection, an audiovisual room, a special exhibition area, and a performance space. A visit to the Hakka Cultural Museum allows one to appreciate the profound values of the Hakka community, which emphasize loyalty, respect for ancestors, diligence, and the promotion of good customs. From the traditional Hakka architectural layout, one can observe the strong tendency of Hakka people to live in clans. For the immigrant Hakka community, "home" is especially seen as the strongest fortress that must withstand external intrusions. As a result, the architectural style often features a strong defensive characteristic. The "huo fang," a unique element of Hakka architecture, allows relatives of the same ancestor to live within the same building, featuring structures such as dual hall houses, walled houses, and Wailong houses. The Hakka Cultural Museum adopts the structure of a tulou Wailong house, which not only provides insight into Hakka architecture but also reflects the Hakka people's value of familial bonds. In the courtyard of the tulou, a large blue cloth shirt is prominently displayed, creating a strong Hakka atmosphere as one enters. 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 scales, rain capes, ox carts, and shoulder poles related to rural life, as well as items associated with household arrangements like study rooms, ancestral halls, kitchen utensils (such as large stoves and clay pots), and bedrooms (such as red sleeping beds and foot baths). The collection also features antique sewing machines, cloth rolling stones, blue shirt fabric deconstruction diagrams, various traditional Hakka clothing, waist aprons, and small three-inch lotus shoes. Each exhibit is worthy of careful appreciation.
