Ketagalan Culture Center

People express emotions in various ways that reflect the social values and aesthetic preferences of their time. For Indigenous peoples in traditional tribal societies, “love” was not typically expressed through everyday life. There was neither a dramatic love confession nor any romantic sparkle; instead, love was shown through simple, meaningful actions—preparing firewood for daily needs, rising with the dawn to walk for thousands miles for collecting food, entrusting unspeakable longing into spontaneous melodies. In myths, songs, and the gentle passage of time, "love" has always existed—unassuming yet deeply rooted in action.

This exhibition begins with ancient love myths and invites you into a world woven with layers of emotion. In this world, elders softly sing, where youth sweat in the name of love, where melodies are drawn from distant places, and where the young generation reinterpret their care for culture, language, and kin through new creations that embody what "love" means to them.

So, what does LOVE look like to you?

Chapter 1: Love as a Mythical Romance Spoken by Our Ancestors

The glimmer of glazed beads carries considerated thoughts;

the fragrance of lilies lingers with tenderness and endurance;

the sharp taste of betel nut speaks of boldness and daring.

For Indigenous peoples, mythology is not merely an ancient text, but a form of lived wisdom—like the voice of an elder sit beside us, telling stories slowly, with care. These fantastical and moving love tales are more than just expressions of emotion; they hold within them a people’s understanding of the world and their pursuit of life’s deeper meanings. 

At times, they tell of love between humans and spirits or deities; at others, of animals taking human form to experience love. These stories suggest one simple truth: love has never had a fixed shape. It is fluid, transforming, often unexpected—yet always deeply felt.

Chapter 2: Love as a Deep Sense of Longing

A softly hummed melody, a love token, or silent acts of care—each gesture is a way to be noticed by the one they love—and accepted by their family. The path of pursuing love is often filled with bittersweet, yet it is that heartfelt devotion and quiet perseverance that give life its tender, unforgettable moments.

Action as Language

Forming a family is no easy task. Men had to prove they could provide for an entire household. Women, in turn, were expected to master weaving in order to be seen as ideal partners for marriage. Ease and passivity didn’t win hearts. At gatherings like rituals or work exchanges, youth joined in through labor, showing their skills and integrating into the community. And often, it is during these moments—while working together, exchanging glances, and singing playful duets—that subtle feelings quietly begin to bloom.

Ancient Songs and Ballads

Before love could be sent by written, songs served as a vital means of emotional expression among Indigenous peoples. More than just melodies, they carried personal thoughts and collective memories—messages embedded in breath. Each Indigenous group has its own distinct musical traditions, passed down orally from generation to generation, without the use of written scores or lyrics. These songs are a reflection of everyday life, infused with emotional weight—unspoken thoughts, daily joys and struggles, all folded into music. They are not only outlets for emotion but also testimonies to how people lived and loved in times past.

The Silent Helper

In a time when love was quietly expressed, a man who could skillfully play a moving melody often captured someone’s heart. Music carried unspoken of feelings—longing, excitement, desire—composed into every note, softly heard but deeply felt. The exchange of love tokens served as a meaningful promise between two people. One such token was the alofo (lover’s pouch), hand-sewn by a mother when her child reached marriageable age. Imbued with blessings and care, it was then offered by the child as a sincere gesture of love.

Chapter 3: Love as That Song Rewound Again and Again

After the war, Taiwan’s swift social and economic changes gently reshaped the traditional rhythms of Indigenous life. Many left their homelands in search of work, stepping into a faster pace that offered little time to reflect on the past. What stayed with them were tender memories—of home-cooked meals and the smiles of loved ones left behind. As they worked, they softly hummed distinctive indigenous folk song carrying traces of hope, gentle humor, and quiet perseverance. Meanwhile, the women who stayed in the village sang in return, weaving their longing into melodies that reached out to those striving far away.These songs carry the shared memories of a generation that toiled for survival, finding resilience through music.

Chapter 4: Love as the Trace of Flowing Time

Today, the younger generation of Indigenous peoples expresses emotions more freely and in diverse ways, carrying forward the subtle wisdom of their ancestors while giving it new meaning. Three artists, Daong Cinceng, Vava Isingkaunan, and Sutipau Tjaruzaljum, carefully preserve the roots of their culture through creative work in their native languages, along with the study and practice of traditional instruments. Their deep respect for heritage and bold dedication to cultural expression reflect a profound love for their own identities.

Chapter 5: Love as…

When we speak of “love” today, we often picture roses, poetry, and longing gazes. But in Indigenous life, love was never absent—it simply took other forms: the hardworking hands for family, a ritual observed with respect for tradition, the hope passed down to he next generation, or the quiet strength in protecting the community.

As times changed, Western ideas of emotion gradually met Indigenous traditions. Through art, research, and daily life, people began expressing long-held feelings in new ways—reimagining their love for culture and building bridges between tradition and the present.

And so, as you step into this exhibition—what is the deepest love you hold? 

Can you feel the moment—When love shape itself and find its sound?