Atayal tribe Beaded garment

In the Atayal language, beads are referred to as kaaha. These are cylindrical elements crafted from giant clam shells that have been roasted, sliced, and ground. Kaaha beads are traditionally used for adorning garments or strung together as decorative accessories. Although beads hold deep cultural and economic significance within Atayal society, the technical skill to produce them did not originate with the Atayal themselves. Historical accounts, including that of a Japanese castaway in 1806, suggest that bead-making was likely practiced by the Pingpu or Amis peoples from Taiwan’s eastern coastal regions, prior to Han migration. This particular garment is a long, sleeveless tunic with an open front and no collar. Made from linen and decorated with dark red wool, its most striking feature lies in the elaborate use of cylindrical clam-shell beads, which are carefully embedded into the fabric in both horizontal and vertical alignments. The result is a garment of considerable weight and exceptional value—regarded as the most luxurious attire within Atayal society. Traditionally, only tribal leaders or warriors recognized for their valor were permitted to wear it. Due to its heaviness, the garment was rarely worn in daily life. Over time, it came to serve a different function: as a form of currency for trade or as a precious item offered in marriage negotiations.