Skull shelves of the Wulai Group of the Atayal

The original description: “Aborigines boast about the number of the skulls they have which, as a symbol of power, decides their ranks. The skulls on the shelves seem to be mocking such a tradition with their grins.” A seal of the “Takushoku Expo Souvenir Stamp” can be seen on the photo. This was taken by Anthropologist Mori Ushinosuke in February, 1903, in Wulai Group, Taipei County. In the first volume of A Collection of Photos of Taiwanese Savages, he writes, “The shelves for skulls of this tribe are usually set up near the homes of the group. Skulls are lined on the bamboo shelves, with no more than 50 to 60 on each one. Most shelves have been removed today.”