之前我的文章，就稍稍提到過台灣的原住民族群，是那些17世紀漢族移民移入前就已定居在此的，多個語言及生活方式不同的族群，雖然有過很長時間的磨合期，我相信應該和歐洲人殖民美洲大陸時類似，有過一陣的混亂與破壞，總之，現在算是和平相處，而原住民的文化，也真的是很有特色，原住民的年輕人在創意這塊，也絕對不會缺席，這個空間，就是為了展示目的而設立的吧。
我對原住民的第一印象，就是有一副好歌喉、好酒量，及為人熱情大方，所以，原住民的小米酒果然有個品牌，小米酒本來就是部落傳統文化與祭儀中不可或缺一部份，是用來與自然和祖靈溝通的橋樑，貫穿豐收祭、敬神、婚喪喜慶、生命禮俗等重大儀式，我記憶中的小米酒，口感較甜，很好入口，多年前，騎車進入山區時，剛好有原住民擺攤賣一些特色產品，以貼補家用，一瓶自家釀的小米酒要價一百元台幣，還可以接受，這邊賣的小米酒是包裝設計過的，一瓶兩百元台幣，價錢也是可以接受。
花生騷是另一個原創品牌，它以台灣自然環境及原住民族的意象為靈感，將熟悉的山林動物轉化為色彩鮮明、充滿個性的設計圖騰，把貓頭鷹、台灣黑熊、大冠鷲、石虎、希希利鳥、百步蛇、黑狗與白鹿等，以鮮明圖像呈現原住民的文化意涵，幾乎每位原住民都是天生的獵手，這些生活中常出現的動植物，往往也是文化的一部份，例如，百步蛇是知名的毒蛇，民間流傳著被百步蛇咬到後，走不到百步就會毒發身亡，可見的毒性之猛烈，但是，排灣族與魯凱族傳說中，百步蛇曾化身為一名俊美的男子，與部落美麗的姑娘結為連理，從此肩負起守護族人的神聖使命，布農族則視百步蛇為朋友，因為蛇族不主動攻擊人類並傳授避毒智慧，而布農族人則世世代代不殺百步蛇作為交換。
據我觀察，這些原住民品牌與一般文創品牌相比，往往帶有一種比較原始、粗獷，甚至充滿山林氣息的特色，並將原住民族長期累積的文化、生活經驗與傳統美學融入商品設計之中，有些品牌會結合傳統編織、木作、皮雕、藤編等手工技藝，將原本與日常生活密切相關的傳統工藝，轉化成具有現代感的服飾、配件、飾品或生活用品，話說回來，既然已經發展成品牌，價錢就不會像一般大量生產的商品那麼便宜，就看大家買不買單啦。
In one of my previous article, I briefly mentioned Taiwan’s Indigenous peoples. They are made up of different groups with their own languages and ways of life, who had already been living on the island before Han Chinese immigrants arrived in the 17th century. I imagine there must have been a long period of adjustment, much like what happened when Europeans colonized the Americas, with plenty of conflict and destruction along the way. Anyway, these days, people generally live together in peace, and Indigenous culture is definitely full of unique characteristics. Young Indigenous people are also making their mark in the creative world, and I guess this space was set up to showcase their work.
My first impressions of Indigenous people were that they were naturally good singers, could really hold their liquor, and were warm and generous. So, of course, there’s even a brand of traditional millet wine! Millet wine has long been an important part of Indigenous culture and ceremonies. It serves as a bridge between people, nature, and ancestral spirits, playing a role in major occasions such as harvest festivals, religious ceremonies, weddings, funerals, and other important life events. From what I remember, millet wine tends to taste a little sweet and goes down pretty easily. Many years ago, while riding my scooter through a mountainous area, I came across an Indigenous vendor selling local specialties to earn some extra money. A bottle of homemade millet wine cost NT$100, which seemed pretty reasonable. The millet wine sold here comes in specially designed packaging, and at NT$200 a bottle, I’d say the price is still acceptable.
Another original brand is Peanut Sao, which draws inspiration from Taiwan’s natural environment and Indigenous culture. It transforms familiar mountain animals into colorful, distinctive graphic designs. Owls, Formosan black bears, crested serpent eagles, leopard cats, the legendary Sisi Li bird, hundred-pace snakes, black dogs, and white deer are all featured in its designs, each representing different aspects of Indigenous culture.
Many Indigenous people have traditionally been skilled hunters, and the animals and plants they encounter in their daily lives often play an important role in their cultural traditions. Take the hundred-pace snake, for example. It is a highly venomous snake, and according to local folklore, anyone bitten by one might die before taking a hundred steps because of its powerful venom.
However, in the legends of the Paiwan and Rukai peoples, the hundred-pace snake is also a sacred figure. One story tells of a snake that transformed into a handsome man and married a beautiful woman from the tribe. From then on, it took on the sacred duty of protecting the community. The Bunun people, on the other hand, regard the hundred-pace snake as a friend. According to their traditions, snakes do not attack humans without reason and have passed on knowledge about avoiding poisonous dangers. In return, the Bunun people have traditionally refrained from killing them. It’s fascinating how the same animal can carry such different meanings across Indigenous cultures.
From what I’ve seen, Indigenous brands tend to have a more rugged, earthy style compared with typical cultural and creative brands. They often incorporate elements of traditional culture, everyday life, and aesthetics that have been passed down through generations. Some also combine traditional crafts such as weaving, woodworking, leather carving, and rattan weaving, turning these age-old skills into modern clothing, accessories, decorative items, and household products.
That said, once these products become part of a branded business, they naturally tend to cost more than mass-produced goods. After all, you’re not just paying for the materials, but also for the design, craftsmanship, and cultural meaning behind them. Whether people are willing to pay those prices, though, is another question. In the end, it all comes down to personal taste and whether customers think they’re worth the money!