Amis Tribe
1. Distribution: The distribution of the Amis tribe is mainly along the plains and coast of Hualien and Taitung counties. This tribe is divided into five groups: the northern Nanshi, central coastal, Xiuguluan, southern Malan and Hengchun Amis.
2. Society: The Amis tribe was traditionally a matrilineal society. Affairs of the home, both large and small, were decided by women. Men were responsible for the affairs of the community. Following marriage, the groom moved into the home of his bride in the hope of bringing honor to her family.
The Amis tribe possesses a strict age organization for males. This age organization is divided into two types, that of the northern Nanshi Amis which is based on inherited name in which males stay in the same-named group, and that of the southern Amis in which names are created for each age set. This age organization made use of collateral punishment method to develop close bonds among the members of each age set.
3. Clothing
Females:
a. Everyday clothing: Amis females usually wore a short shirt with long sleeves that opened in front, as well as one or two layers of wraparound skirt and leggings tied around the calves.
b. Formal attire: On the head was worn a beaded cap (or feather cap). On the body was worn a long-sleeved short shirt with round collar that opened in front. For younger women red was the main color and for older women black was the main color. One or two layers of wraparound skirt were also worn. There were two types of skirts, made up of one piece or two pieces. Skirts were usually of black cloth with a white band around the edges and embroidered hem. Leggings were tied around the calves. These were often black with strips of double-layered white cloth. Along the black cloth were attached tufts of yarn. The wearer coiled the white cloth strips around the calves and then used the attached strings to bind at the knees. Women wore chest cloths that were decorated with colorful wave patterns and metal pieces. As their shirts were very short, these chest cloths prevented their breasts from being exposed. They also wore a waistband decorated with two sets of twisted colored yarn.
4.Accessories and ornaments: In addition to the shoulder cape (worn by both men and women), there were shoulder ornament and knife strap. The former was strictly for decoration and to the latter were added beaded net and tassels. In addition, there were head, ear, neck, chest, and waist ornaments, as well as leggings. Animal bones were rarely used for making accessories or ornaments. Wild boar tusks, animal teeth, feathers, rattan, bamboo and copper, etc., were used instead.
