Paiwan

Paiwan tribe scattered from north to Dawu Mountain, south to Henchung, west to Fangliao and east to Taimali of Taitung, on both sides of the Central Mountain Ranges. There are nearly 79,000 Paiwan people.

The noble chief in each tribe is at the same time the leader in politics, military and even religion. Each clan works as an independent and autonomous unit. As Paiwan tribe has a large population and the blood relationship is widely spread, the alliance between close relatives is prevailing among the nobles. In some areas a noble chief leads a big clan combined with several families. Colorful glazed beads, iron utensils and silvery are valuable things. The hundred-step snake and the human-headed designs on pottery urns and pots and the roof beams symbolize the superior status of the nobles.