Kaidagelan Cultural Center Introduction
The Ketagalan Culture Hall documents the historical context of the Pingpu people, as well as contemporary indigenous art and artifacts. In addition to hot springs, Beitou offers a unique indigenous atmosphere. The name "Beitou" is transliterated from the Ketagalan language, meaning "witch," and was once the habitation of the Ketagalan people over four hundred years ago. To preserve and promote indigenous culture and arts, the Ketagalan Culture Hall of the Indigenous Peoples Commission of Taipei City Government was completed in November 2002. The entire building is designed to showcase indigenous cultural arts, providing urban indigenous people with a dedicated space for cultural transmission and skill development. In front of the culture hall, a row of wooden piles stands adorned with various expressive tin sculptures, representing a hand-holding gesture symbolizing the fusion of ethnic groups, indicating that we are all family in this indigenous installation art creation. Each floor inside is thematically curated, vividly presenting the historical context of indigenous culture, making it a recreational spot for close encounters with indigenous culture. The ten-story main building features a facade of distinct slate materials, resembling a breathing house, with a strong minimalist design that harmonizes with the nearby hot spring hotels and Beitou Hot Spring Park. The bright and spacious first-floor lobby, with vibrant tribal mosaic tiles, leads visitors into the embrace of the community; historically flavored stone carvings and striking wooden sculptures are captivating, and various hunting tools hang on the walls, allowing one to imagine the traditional lifestyles of indigenous people pursuing deer and wild boar. Every object in the culture hall reflects the footprints of indigenous life! The first to third floors not only exhibit important collections of indigenous artifacts and Pingpu culture but also serve as a public space for performances, events, meetings, and skill workshops, acting as a field for urban indigenous peoples to cultivate their communal feelings. The culture hall also provides reading services focusing on indigenous themes, and its diverse collection enhances visitors' appreciation and understanding of indigenous cultural arts, inspiring students to explore and learn about various ethnic groups. Taiwan's towering mountains and plains nurture a rich diversity of indigenous cultures. The Ketagalan Culture Hall preserves rituals, festivals, and lifestyles related to nature worship, allowing visitors to learn about the earliest groups that lived in Taiwan. On this land, there is much to learn from the remarkable wisdom of our ancestors, and if you're lucky, you might encounter groups of indigenous people in traditional attire gathering or performing in the culture hall, showcasing their pure and passionate side. Since its opening, the Ketagalan Culture Hall has hosted numerous indigenous cultural series and traditional craft exhibitions, featuring the works of many indigenous artists, blending hometown and urban, traditional and modern, fulfilling the important significance of the culture hall. Taiwan’s diverse ethnic groups have developed a colorful cultural palette, and the culture hall is not only a treasure trove of indigenous cultural collections but also a multifunctional learning center for indigenous cultural arts. Situated in the Xinbeitou hot spring area, after experiencing its rich culture and arts, visitors can stroll through the misty hot spring town and continue to trace the footsteps of the Ketagalan people!
