Unleashing the Cultural Memories Carried in Artifacts

On May 18, 2014, in celebration of International Museum Day, the National Museum of Marine Science & Technology held a special event featuring the tatara canoes of the indigenous Tao tribe. With the assistance of two members of the Tao tribe, Hai-Lung Chung and Chien-Ping Kuo, the Museum test-sailed the canoe at a nearby bay with an eye on raising public awareness of Tao Tatara Canoes, which perfectly combine a marine lifestyle, technology, and ecological wisdom, and are a testimony to the diverse marine cultures in Taiwan. For the Museum, the canoe is more than a specimen in a warehouse but an ambassador for the Tao people’s marine technology and culture.