Chapter III: 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