The Museum of Fiber Arts is proud to present “Memory Above the Clouds – An Exploration of the Atayal Horizontal Belt Loom,” a special exhibition curated by 16-year-old Atayal youth Lungah.Baunay. This exhibition offers an in-depth look into the Atayal weaving tradition, focusing on the “kongu“, a traditional backstrap loom used by Atayal women for generations.

The kongu is a portable weaving tool worn around the waist and used while sitting on the ground. Through this loom, Atayal weavers create textiles that carry more than just patterns—they hold personal memories, cultural stories, and ancestral connections. Lungah describes weaving on the kongu as akin to plugging into a “cultural USB,” transferring the wisdom and identity of past generations to the present.

On Saturday, May 25 at 2:00 PM, Lungah.Baunay will personally lead a guided tour and weaving demonstration. Visitors will also have the opportunity to try the loom themselves. The museum warmly invites everyone to participate in this unique cultural experience.

Museum director Jian Hui-Hua explained that this exhibition is the third installment in the museum’s “loom trilogy,” which explores the history and techniques of weaving in Taiwan. Earlier exhibitions featured the Jacquard loom and the standing loom, while this final part highlights the Atayal backstrap loom and its intimate connection to the lives and culture of its weavers.
Lungah.Baunay grew up in Mepwan village in Miaoli County, learning weaving skills from her mother, Yuma Taru, who is recognized as a national treasure. From planting and processing ramie plants to spinning thread and weaving patterns, Lungah has built a rich knowledge of Atayal textile traditions. She has also traveled to museums in Japan and the UK to study and help preserve textile pieces of Atayal culture.

Said from Lungah, weaving is deeply woven into the Atayal way of life. From baby blankets and adult clothing to wedding dresses and blankets of funeral, each piece reflects a stage in life and carries cultural significance. Weaving is both a personal and communal act of preserving identity and memory.

She also shares that weaving is a calming and healing process—a way to connect with ancestors. When using the kongu, the weaver’s body, the loom, and the mind work in harmony, creating a unique experience that cannot be replicated by other tools.

Exhibition Highlights:

• The structure and tools of the traditional Atayal Horizontal Belt Loom

• The role of weaving in Atayal life and culture

• Weaving techniques and patterns

• The physical and sensory experience of weaving on the loom

Visitors can also enjoy videos showcasing contemporary use of the loom and ongoing cultural preservation efforts. The exhibition runs until December 28.

Other Current Exhibitions:

• Tshiú-Lōo: Island Woven Life – A Rattan Craft Exhibition

• Dyeing Landscape – Indigo Dyeing and the Cultural Revival of Toubiankeng

Weekend activities include hands-on weaving and craft workshops. For details, please visit the Museum of Fiber Arts website or Facebook page.