NARUWAN AND WELCOME TO MY TAIWAN/FORMOSA TRIBAL HANDICRAFT AUCTIONS!

DESCRIPTION

• This beaded bracelet was designed and handmade by members of the Paiwan aboriginal tribe in southern Taiwan.
• The bracelet features a green bead on which there is a black, red and orange design.
• The design is made by melting these shades of colored glass and touching the melted droplets to the green bead.
• The bracelet has two small green beads, two white beads, two metallic beads, eight smaller green beads and four smaller orange beads
• The strap is made of a synthetic material and hand-adjusted.
• Approximate Measurements: Circumference in tightest position: 7” (18cm), loosest position 9” (23cm); Large bead just under 1” (2.5cm) long & ½ inch (1.5cm) wide. Weight: 0.4 Oz. (12g).

BACKGROUND

• The design on the large bead symbolizes eternal love and is called “karakurau” in the Paiwan language.
• The bead was 100% handmade by a member of the Paiwan community.
• I witnessed community members making the beads over open flame and assembling the necklaces and can provide photos of the artisans at work.
• The Paiwan people live around the Central Mountain Range in southern Taiwan and number around 78,000, making them the 2^rd biggest aboriginal tribe in Taiwan.
• Among Taiwan’s aboriginal tribes, the Paiwan excel at handicrafts as the society was hierarchal and having time to engage in handicraft making represented a high social standing.
• In addition to highly intricate beaded embroidery for garments, the Paiwan are known for glass bead handicrafts.
• The Paiwan possess a plethora of glass bead designs and each design has its own symbolism. The meanings of the bead designs vary from clan to clan.
• Paiwan families pass beaded jewelry down as family heirlooms.
• The ancient method of bead production is unknown to scholars. Around 30 years ago a member of the Paiwan tribe developed a modern bead production method which very closely approximates the size, shape and design of ancient beads.

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ABOUT ME & MY INTERESTS

My name is David Issokson. I come from the USA and live in Taiwan (Formosa) and speak fluent Mandarin Chinese. It is little known that Taiwan was inhabited by indigenous peoples for thousands of years before the arrival of ethnic Han Chinese from China from the 17^th century onwards.

Formosan aborigines, called “Yuan Zhu Min”, or First Peoples, are of Austronesian origins and are said to be ancestors of Austronesian peoples in places such as the Philippines, Indonesia, Polynesia, Indonesia, Hawaii, New Zealand, Madagascar and Easter Island. Today there are 14 recognized tribes in Taiwan, each with its distinct language and culture.

Through my eBay auctions I endeavor to bring about increased knowledge and interest in the Formosan aboriginal peoples’ culture and history through their handicrafts and art.

I have put my collection together by traveling throughout Taiwan and visiting local aboriginal towns and villages and have made special efforts to collect items that were either handmade or designed by the artisans and their family members.

Thus, through my auctions I hope to bring direct benefits to Taiwan’s aboriginal families and their communities.

NOTE ABOUT HANDMADE ITEMS

I have strived to describe my items as accurately as possible. Any flaws seen in the products may be due to the handmade nature of the items.

NOTE ABOUT SHIPPING

• The following five points are applicable regarding the shipping of this item.
• This item is located in Taiwan and will ship to the USA through the Taiwan Postal Service. The item does not ship to Taiwan.
• For standard flat rate shipping service allow up to 14 work days to receive item from date of shipping. The item will not be insured and there will be no tracking number.
• For expedited flat rate shipping (EMS - Express Mail Service) allow for 4-5 business days. The item will be insured and have a tracking number.
• Items will be shipped within three working days of receiving payment.
• Shipments may be delayed due to typhoons and customs checks.

CONTACT ME

If you have any questions about my auctions please do not hesitate to send me a message me through eBay’s contact buyer function. Please note it may take up to 12 hours to receive a response as there is a 12-hour time difference between US EST time and Taiwan.