Knife

族群：魯凱族 Rukai

尺寸：

刀身 Knife：46*4.5*3.8 cm

刀鞘Scabbard：47.7*7.5*2.3cm

材質：木、金屬 Wood, metal

本物件是刀件組，包含刀身與刀鞘。鐵製刀身，黑色木製刀柄，刀身後端嵌入刀柄內。刀柄與刀片接合處以金屬圈固定。刀刃前端上斜，上端和中間有鏽蝕的痕跡。木製刀柄上有人臉浮雕裝飾。原住民使用的武器與防禦用具，主要有刀、長槍、弓箭和弩弓等。其中刀不但是各族男子都會使用的武器，也是重要的日常生活用具。男子外出工作、整地砍草、打獵和分割獵物都會用到刀，也會用刀來製作物品。鐵製的刀身主要都是對外交易而來，再自行打磨修改刀型。木製的刀柄和刀鞘，有時候會刻裝飾或是辨別的標誌。臺灣原住民族中，以排灣族、魯凱族、卑南族，以及雅美(達悟)族最常在刀柄和刀鞘上雕刻和鑲嵌。精心裝飾的刀，是男子拍搭配盛裝的禮刀，也是身分地位的象徵。

This knife consists of a blade and a scabbard. The blade is made of iron, with a black wooden handle that is inserted into the back of the blade. The junction of the handle and blade is secured with a metal ring. There are signs of rust erosion at the upper and middle parts of the blade, and the front end of the blade is slanted. The wooden handle features a relief carving of a human face.

Weapons and defensive tools used by indigenous people included knives, long spears, crossbows, bows, and arrows. Among these, knives are not only weapons used by men in various tribes but also important tools in their daily lives. They are used for various purposes, such as cutting down weeds, clearing land, hunting, and butchering game. They are also used as a crafting tool. Iron blades were primarily obtained through trade and were modified and sharpened locally. Wooden knife handles and scabbards were often carved with decorative or identifying symbols. Among Taiwan’s indigenous tribes, Paiwan, Rukai, Pinuyumayan, and Yami (Tao) are known for their intricate carvings and inlays on knife handles and scabbards. Elaborately decorated knives are paired with ceremonial attire by men and symbolize social status.