Tminun na Tayal – The Precarious Weaving Culture

[Center for General Education News]

Walking into Commerce Building Room 304, one finds a bright and relaxed space. Students sit together, chatting while operating band-weaving machines, discussing pattern designs, and admiring each other’s work.

This special course was initiated by first-year students through the Self-Directed Learning Program and guided by Prof. Wang Ya-Ping from the Department of Ethnology.

Bringing together students from different colleges, the course involved hands-on weaving practice, appreciation of textile aesthetics, participation in workshops in Wulai, and deeper learning about Atayal weaving techniques and cultural narratives.

Atayal Weaving Culture

For the Atayal people, tninun (life) originates from the ancestral spirits’ tminun (weaving). This course went beyond skills acquisition, encouraging students to explore the cultural meanings and historical contexts embedded in weaving.

Students from diverse backgrounds joined the class, expanding their understanding and appreciation of cultural diversity through weaving. Over the semester, many began as complete beginners and ultimately completed two woven works. For them, weaving became more than beautiful patterns—it turned into a journey of self-reflection and discovery.

From Weaving to Self-Understanding

“Weaving is a process of facing myself,” one student shared. “Sometimes I felt frustrated and wanted to start over, but those moments tested my ability to adjust and persist.”

Another student described weaving emotions into fabric: “Blue symbolizes courage, pink represents the love around me, and the white in the middle is myself.”

Each stitch became a record of feelings, each woven band a trace of months of growth—making every piece a unique expression of self.

The students’ reflections conveyed sincerity and joy. Thanks to their and the instructor’s active participation, the classroom atmosphere was warm and relaxed, a heartwarming scene in the busy weeks before finals—and a cherished memory woven into their university journey. The General Education Center encourages students to apply for self-directed learning, explore areas of interest, and invite friends to create a unique and meaningful college life together.

For details about the Self-Directed Learning Program application, please click “Self-Directed Learning” or contact Ms. Chang at the Center for General Education (ext. 63871).