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- Panel 7-2 Transformation and Reinterpretation of Siraya Cultural Vessels: From Foodways and Rituals to Cultural Interaction /Kuo Sheng-Wei
Panel 7-2 Transformation and Reinterpretation of Siraya Cultural Vessels: From Foodways and Rituals to Cultural Interaction /Kuo Sheng-Wei
Kuo Sheng-Wei
Ph.D., Graduate Institute of Anthropology, National Tsing Hua University
Foodways, as one of the most fundamental aspects of human life, are inseparable from cultural construction, ritual practice, and religious belief, carrying multilayered symbolic and social meanings. The material culture, spatial configuration, and ecological choices associated with food practices often embody traces of human action, ethnic identity, and cultural engagement. When the same type of vessel assumes different functions across cultures, it reveals a dynamic process of “shared form, divergent meaning,” reflecting ongoing transformation and adaptation.
From an archaeological perspective, this study explores the multiple meanings embedded in foodways, material culture, and ritual behavior within Siraya society. It investigates the interplay among use, space, and symbolism, highlighting the underlying cultural logic, symbolic order, and social consciousness. The continuity of vessel use demonstrates translation and regeneration through intercultural exchange; the replacement of artifacts and changes in spatial and lifestyle patterns mark the transition from mobility to sedentary life; and the negotiation of material exchange and symbolic order underscores the reinterpretation of vessels and the imprint of interethnic encounters.
Ultimately, containers are not merely tools for storage and cooking but material symbols of ethnic identity and cultural boundaries. Through an integrated analysis of archaeological artifacts, historical documents, and ritual contexts, this study reveals how the Siraya adapted technologies, reconfigured symbolic systems, and made cultural choices in response to external influences. It argues that foodways constitute verifiable “cultural evidence,” deepening our understanding of past cultural affiliations, interaction patterns, and social relations, while linking everyday life with intercultural exchange and enduring traditions.
Keywords: Siraya culture, Niaosong culture, ceramics, historical archaeology, cultural interaction
Ph.D., Graduate Institute of Anthropology, National Tsing Hua University
Foodways, as one of the most fundamental aspects of human life, are inseparable from cultural construction, ritual practice, and religious belief, carrying multilayered symbolic and social meanings. The material culture, spatial configuration, and ecological choices associated with food practices often embody traces of human action, ethnic identity, and cultural engagement. When the same type of vessel assumes different functions across cultures, it reveals a dynamic process of “shared form, divergent meaning,” reflecting ongoing transformation and adaptation.
From an archaeological perspective, this study explores the multiple meanings embedded in foodways, material culture, and ritual behavior within Siraya society. It investigates the interplay among use, space, and symbolism, highlighting the underlying cultural logic, symbolic order, and social consciousness. The continuity of vessel use demonstrates translation and regeneration through intercultural exchange; the replacement of artifacts and changes in spatial and lifestyle patterns mark the transition from mobility to sedentary life; and the negotiation of material exchange and symbolic order underscores the reinterpretation of vessels and the imprint of interethnic encounters.
Ultimately, containers are not merely tools for storage and cooking but material symbols of ethnic identity and cultural boundaries. Through an integrated analysis of archaeological artifacts, historical documents, and ritual contexts, this study reveals how the Siraya adapted technologies, reconfigured symbolic systems, and made cultural choices in response to external influences. It argues that foodways constitute verifiable “cultural evidence,” deepening our understanding of past cultural affiliations, interaction patterns, and social relations, while linking everyday life with intercultural exchange and enduring traditions.
Keywords: Siraya culture, Niaosong culture, ceramics, historical archaeology, cultural interaction