| PREFACE | pp. [9]-[14] |
| INTRODUCTION | pp. [15]-[18] |
| PART I |
| DESCRIPTION OF THE ISLAND AND ITS INHABITANTS |
| CHAPTER I |
| IMPRESSIONS FROM A DISTANCE |
| Scepticism regarding the Existence of a Matriarchate—Glimpse of Formosa from a Steamer’s Deck in passing—Hearsay in Japan concerning the Island Colony—Opportunity of going to Formosa as a Government Official | pp. [27]-[35] |
| CHAPTER II |
| IMPRESSIONS AT FIRST-HAND |
| The Voyage from Kobe to Keelung—The History of Formosa as recounted by a Chinese-Formosan—A Visit to a Chinese-Formosan Home—The Scenery of Formosa—Experience with Japanese Officialdom in Formosa | pp. [36]-[68] |
| CHAPTER III |
| PERSONAL CONTACT WITH THE ABORIGINES |
| A New Year Visit to the East Coast Tribes—Received by the Taiyal as a Reincarnation of one of the seventeenth-century Dutch “Fathers.” | pp. [69]-[85] |
| CHAPTER IV |
| THE PRESENT POPULATION OF FORMOSA |
| Hakkas and other Chinese-Formosans, Japanese, Aborigines | pp. [86]-[92] |
| PART II |
| MANNERS AND CUSTOMS OF THE ABORIGINAL TRIBES |
| CHAPTER V |
| RACIAL STOCK |
| Physical Appearance pointing to Indoneso-Malay Origin—Linguistic Evidence and Evidence of Handicraft—Tribal Divisions of the Aborigines—Moot Question as to the Existence of a Pigmy People in the Interior of the Island | pp. [95]-[108] |
| CHAPTER VI |
| SOCIAL ORGANIZATION |
| Head-hunting and associated Customs—“Mother-right” and Age-grade Systems—Property Rights—Sex Relations | pp. [109]-[129] |
| CHAPTER VII |
| RELIGIOUS BELIEFS AND PRACTICES |
| Deities of the Ami and Beliefs of this Tribe regarding Heaven and Hell—Beliefs and Ceremonials of the other Tribes of the South—Descent from Bamboo; Carved Representations of Glorified Ancestors and of Serpents; Moon Worship; Sacred Tree, Orchid, and Grass—The Kindling of the Sacred Fire by the Bunun and Taiyal Tribes—Beliefs and Ceremonials of the Taiyal—Rain Dances; Bird Omens; Ottofu; Princess and Dog Ancestors—Yami Celebrations in Honour of the Sea-god | pp. [130]-[151] |
| CHAPTER VIII |
| MARRIAGE CUSTOMS |
| The Point of View of the Aborigines regarding Sex—Courtship preceding Marriage—Consultation of the Bird Omen and of Bamboo Strips as to the Auspicious Day for the Wedding—The Wedding Ceremony—Mingling by the Priestess of Drops of Blood taken from the Legs of Bride and Groom; Ritual Drinking from a Skull—Honeymoon Trips and the setting-up of House-keeping—Length of Marriage Unions | pp. [152]-[162] |
| CHAPTER IX |
| CUSTOMS CONNECTED WITH ILLNESS AND DEATH |
| Belief that Illness is due to Evil Ottofu—Ministrations of the Priestess—A Seventeenth-century Dutch Record of the Treatment of the Dying by the Formosan Aborigines—The “Dead Houses” of the Taiyal—Burial of the Dead by the Ami, Bunun, and Paiwan Tribes beneath the Hearth-stone of the Home—“Green” and “Dry” Funerals | pp. [163]-[172] |
| CHAPTER X |
| ARTS AND CRAFTS |
| Various Types of Dwelling-houses peculiar to the Different Tribes—Ingenious Suspension-bridges and Communal Granaries common to all the Tribes—Weapons and the Methods of their Ornamentation—Weaving and Basket-making—Peculiar Indonesian Form of Loom—Pottery-making—Agricultural Implements and Fish-traps—Musical Instruments: Nose-flute; Musical Bow; Bamboo Jews’-harp—Personal Adornment | pp. [173]-[185] |
| CHAPTER XI |
| TATTOOING AND OTHER FORMS OF MUTILATION |
| Cutting away of the Lobes of the Ears and knocking out of the Teeth—Significance of the Different Designs of Tattoo-marking among the Taiyal—Tattooing among the Paiwan | pp. [186]-[192] |
| CHAPTER XII |
| METHODS OF TRANSPORT |
| Ami Wheeled Vehicle resembling Models found in early Cyprian Tombs—Boat-building and the Art of Navigation on the Decline. | pp. [193]-[197] |
| CHAPTER XIII |
| POSSIBILITIES OF THE FUTURE |
| “Decadent” or “Primitive”—A Dream of White Saviours from the West | pp. [198]-[199] |
| CHAPTER XIV |
| CIVILIZATION AND ITS BENEFITS |
| To “wonder furiously”—Better Government, or Worse?—Comparison of Standards—A Conversation with Aborigine Friends—The Question of Money—Tabus | pp. [200]-[215] |
| INDEX | pp. [217]-[220] |