Members of the Amis Tribe are going back to their roots by rediscovering the traditional method of making garments out of paper mulberry trees. The technique has been long lost for six decades, and with the recent efforts, we are able to witness the creative yet conventional handmade items here on CTS.

More than half a century ago, tree bark garments were extremely common in aboriginal tribes.

Today, the garments are worn only during traditional ceremonies and rites.

Tree bark garments are made with fresh paper mulberry bark from trees with thick branches.

Such trees are hard to find nowadays, and the tribe is now using smaller branches from paper mulberry trees to create a series of tree bark products.

Students from various technical schools in Taitung recently visited the tribe to see how the products are made.

They watched as the branches were beaten and stripped, and were amazed how a small piece of bark could be used to cover an entire book.

The tribe is combining traditional wisdom with modern wisdom, and using natural resources to create daily use items like notebooks and lampshades.