This study looks at how Ulai Atayal woven souvenirs have changed from simple products into important objects that hold collective memory and help rebuild culture. It shows the complex way an Indigenous community uses craft-making to restore its local identity after its traditions were broken. This research challenges the simple idea that souvenirs are just things to buy.
Using interviews and participant observation, this study gathers the life stories of six key people in Ulai : senior weavers, shop owners, a hotel manager, and a government official. It seeks to answer four main questions: 1) How have souvenirs and their meanings changed over time? 2) What part do different people (weavers, the government, businesses) play in bringing back their culture? 3) How does storytelling change the meaning of souvenirs when they are sold, and how does this affect the tradition? 4) What problems does Atayal weaving face in being passed on to the next generation?
The study finds that souvenirs have changed from generic " Atayal " items into objects that carry specific local memory (like the "XO" pattern). Also, different people play different roles: weavers are the main actors in rebuilding memory; the government offers support but often doesn't understand local needs; and businesses help translate the culture for tourists. The research also shows that storytelling makes souvenirs more meaningful, turning them from simple objects into carriers of stories, which adds to their cultural value. Finally, passing down the tradition is hard because younger family members are not learning. This has forced teaching to move into public classes, which creates a new challenge: how to teach the craft deeply and not just on the surface.
