Kavalan Banana Fiber Weaving

Preservers: Ms. Ah-Ju Zhu, Ms. Wu-Ji Pan, Ms. Ah-Yu Pan, Ms. Ying-Jun Pan-Jin, Ms. Yu-Ying Yen, and Ms. Lai-Fu Hsu.

1. Artistic Quality: The banana fiber weaving from Shinshe is not only representative of the Kavalan’s unique technique, arts and wisdom, but also Taiwan’s precious cultural asset. From felling banana tree to peeling off the membranes and slicing them into long strips, scratching off the impurities, sun-drying the fiber, separating the fiber, joining the fiber into long strips, warping and weaving to completion, we can see the tribal people’s persistence and amazing techniques. Now, in addition to clothes and straps, there are more products such as window and door curtains and notebook covers. The innovative artistic quality is worth recognition.
2. Uniqueness: It is the only aboriginal tribe in Taiwan that creates banana fiber weaving, and is able to find innovation from the traditional techniques.
3. Local Characteristics: Shinshe is the settlement with the most concentrated number of Kavalan people and the largest number of old craftsmen with the particular technique. The Kavalan Banana Fiber Weaving is the most representative cultural heritage and expression of accumulated wisdom. 
4. Preservers: It is important for these old craftsmen to succeed and pass down the techniques.