The “Guardians of the Forest— Exhibition on the Cultural Symbolism of the Formosan Hawk-Eagle’s Feathers and the Passing Down of Tribal Memory”, co-hosted by National Pingtung University of Science and Technology (NPUST) and the Sandimen Township Office in Pingtung County opened in July 2025 at the Sandimen Indigenous Museum to wide public acclaim.
The exhibition, which combines tribal culture, ecological knowledge, and faux-feather crafts, is a highly educational experience. Running until October 31, 2025, the public is warmly invited to seize the opportunity to explore the cultural significance and forest memories behind the Formosan Hawk-Eagle’s wings.
According to Dr. Yuan-Hsun Sun, a distinguished research fellow and expert on the Formosan Hawk-Eagle, the bird is a top predator in Taiwan and a spiritual symbol to the Paiwan and Rukai tribes. He believes the exhibition will help people better understand the indigenous wisdom of coexisting with nature and allow concepts of conservation and innovation to take flight from the foundation of traditional culture.
The exhibition is located on the third floor of the Sandimen Indigenous Museum. It begins with the myths of the Paiwan and Rukai tribes and connects them with the hawk-eagle’s ecological behavior, the cultural significance of its feathers, the challenges faced by the tribes, and the craft of creating feather replicas. By exploring six major themes, visitors can experience the hawk-eagle’s role as a guardian of the forest and learn about the honor and responsibility its feathers symbolize within the tribes.
The exhibition also features a 3D-printed venomous hundred-pacer snake model, which corresponds to the mythical origins of the hawk-eagle’s transformation. Another highlight is the display of faux-feather crafts created by master artisan Chin-Nan Chung and tribal students. These realistic feather ornaments, fans, and headpieces, crafted with according to a spirit of cultural respect, demonstrate the innovative practice of cultural preservation and ecological conservation. Also on display is a precious hawk-eagle specimen with outstretched wings, provided by the Pingtung County Government, allowing visitors to closely observe the posture and feather details of this forest raptor.
The exhibition includes a “Tribal Memory Video Corner” that plays oral interviews with 11 tribal elders who share life experiences and cultural memories related to the hawk-eagle’s feathers. In addition to the static displays, visitors are invited to write their thoughts or wishes on feather-shaped pieces of paper and add them to a wall, piecing together a collective “feather headpiece.” This collaborative activity represents a commitment to preserving and passing on these memories.
The Guardians of the Forest Exhibition is free to the public on Wednesday to Sunday, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM. The public is welcome to embark on a journey of dialogue between human history and the natural forest.
