Lion Township Cultural Relics Museum Introduction
The Shizi Township Museum of Ethnology is located in Fenglin Village, Shizi Township, Pingtung County, adjacent to the Shizi Township Office. It is a museum rich in indigenous characteristics, with walls and a roof designed to resemble traditional indigenous slate houses. The walls are adorned with totem carvings of the Many-banded Krait, chief figures, pottery jars, and more. The architectural design and decorative carvings were collaboratively completed by Li Jixiang, the chairperson of the Shizi Township Representative Assembly, artist Xie Wende from Mudan Township, and carver You Chengzhou from Maja Township. The building's exterior showcases strong influences from the Paiwan culture, making it the first museum dedicated to the Paiwan people. In the Paiwan society, the social hierarchy is strictly defined, and only the noble class is entitled to the privilege of having carvings on the pillars of their homes. Common decorative patterns include snake patterns, human figures, human-snake integration patterns, wild boar motifs, and deer designs. These motifs exhibit characteristics of stillness, frontality, and symmetry, with the majority of carvings expressing a two-dimensional space. The resulting wooden sculptures possess a raw style that is free and unrestrained, and the colors commonly used are predominantly red, black, and white. The Shizi Township Museum of Ethnology primarily collects various artistic creations of the Paiwan people, notably the "Centenary Carving of the Hunting Society" made from century-old beech wood. This substantial wooden carving serves as a door panel, intricately depicting indigenous human figures and is a rare and precious artifact. Initially located in Fangliao Township as an ancient well cover, it has now become the museum's prized treasure through the efforts and planning of the Shizi Township Office and the Fangliao Cultural Promotion Association. Moreover, the Shizi Township Museum of Ethnology not only serves as a space for exhibiting indigenous artifacts but also sells leather crafts handmade by local indigenous women, such as keychains, wallets, coin purses, and pencil cases. These items are not only of high quality and beautiful designs but also carry meaningful stories, making them an ideal choice for gifts or personal use.
