TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's National Museum of Natural Science (國立自然科學博物館) launched its special exhibition "Tsou. Natural History" (鄒．自然博物) on Wednesday (Jan. 14), showcasing multiple herbarium specimens that illustrate the daily life and unique communication methods of Taiwan's Indigenous Tsou people. The exhibition aims to provide insight into the Indigenous group's harmonious relationship with nature.
Curator Chen Shu-cho (陳叔倬) emphasized in a press release the exhibition's focus on Indigenous natural history, which is deeply rooted in land and life experiences. Chen noted that this approach accumulates wisdom from coexisting with nature and highlights a respectful and moderate way of interacting with the environment. The stories held by the Tsou Tribe of important plants connect humans, the land, and the divine world, offering a glimpse into the Tsou people's spiritual beliefs.
The exhibition features over 30 herbarium specimens of great significance to the Tsou. This includes the Liquidambar formosana (楓香), regarded as the birthplace of Tsou ancestors, and the Dendrobium chryseum (金草蘭), symbolizing the god of war, which must be planted on the rooftops of tribal meeting houses. The Ficus subpisocarpa (雀榕) is seen as a pathway for the god of war to descend, while the Quercus variabilis (栓皮櫟) is considered a dwelling place for evil spirits.
The special exhibition opened with a blessing ceremony conducted in the Tsou language by Pu Shao-kuang (浦少光), the head priest of the Tefuye (特富野) community. Huang Wen-shan (黃文山), director of the museum, expressed hope that the museum's role in public education will help more people appreciate the natural wisdom accumulated by Indigenous peoples. Visitors to the exhibition can expect to engage with the stories behind each specimen, which reflect the Tsou people's deep connection to their environment.
