Taiwan aborigines: a ceremonial Rukai knife

yuanzhumin · 23rd June 2011, 03:43 AM

Hello Migueldiaz,

I wouldn’t say Taiwanese aborigines have gods. It’s more a world of spirits interacting with the livings, with spirits being able to make good or bad deeds. The snake is more seen like the original ancestor among the 3 Paiwan groups (Paiwan proper, Rukai and Puyuma).

Hi Varta,

The second Rukai knife is beautiful, mostly the open side of the scabbard with its carved bronze leaf. Congrats! Could you tell us its dimensions? definitely a ceremonial knife, and as such should be longer than the average.

Varta, any Paiwan knife to share on the other thread I just started?

Best

Nicolas

migueldiaz · 23rd June 2011, 04:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yuanzhumin

I wouldn’t say Taiwanese aborigines have gods. It’s more a world of spirits interacting with the livings, with spirits being able to make good or bad deeds. The snake is more seen like the original ancestor among the 3 Paiwan groups (Paiwan proper, Rukai and Puyuma).

Thank you! It's very similar then to our peoples' ancient beliefs (which similarity is not surprising of course). Regards.

Nathaniel · 23rd June 2011, 05:59 AM

Beautiful! Thank you all for posting pictures of these beautiful native blades!

varta · 23rd June 2011, 09:27 AM

The first Rukai knife is much older. The tip was burnt (was his owner drunk?) maybe it was a period of time when a knife had no value anymore and it was thrown away... The bronze sheet on the other has been taken away (recycling?)
The decoration shows interesting patterns; it has the red-crimson colour so caracteristic of ancient time.
So this knife has a touching story... when the second one has a "classic" Rukai style probably from the first quarter of the XXth century.

Let me show a small knife to prepare betel nuts. (about 12cm long)

yuanzhumin · 24th June 2011, 01:47 AM

Hi Varta,

Great little knife!
I love it.
I'm very happy to see some of your pieces.
Many thanks for showing them.

Best

Nicolas

23rd June 2011, 03:43 AM	#1
yuanzhumin Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Ex-Taipei, Taiwan, now in Shanghai, China Posts: 180	Hello Migueldiaz, I wouldn’t say Taiwanese aborigines have gods. It’s more a world of spirits interacting with the livings, with spirits being able to make good or bad deeds. The snake is more seen like the original ancestor among the 3 Paiwan groups (Paiwan proper, Rukai and Puyuma). Hi Varta, The second Rukai knife is beautiful, mostly the open side of the scabbard with its carved bronze leaf. Congrats! Could you tell us its dimensions? definitely a ceremonial knife, and as such should be longer than the average. Varta, any Paiwan knife to share on the other thread I just started? Best Nicolas Last edited by yuanzhumin; 23rd June 2011 at 03:59 AM.

23rd June 2011, 09:27 AM	#4
varta Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Berlin-Paris Posts: 37	The first Rukai knife is much older. The tip was burnt (was his owner drunk?) maybe it was a period of time when a knife had no value anymore and it was thrown away... The bronze sheet on the other has been taken away (recycling?) The decoration shows interesting patterns; it has the red-crimson colour so caracteristic of ancient time. So this knife has a touching story... when the second one has a "classic" Rukai style probably from the first quarter of the XXth century. Let me show a small knife to prepare betel nuts. (about 12cm long) Attached Images

23rd June 2011, 05:59 AM	#3
Nathaniel Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 865	Beautiful! Thank you all for posting pictures of these beautiful native blades!

24th June 2011, 01:47 AM	#5
yuanzhumin Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Ex-Taipei, Taiwan, now in Shanghai, China Posts: 180	Hi Varta, Great little knife! I love it. I'm very happy to see some of your pieces. Many thanks for showing them. Best Nicolas