Fertility, Blessings and Protection: Cultures of Baby Carriers

Different tribes and people groups have developed their own systems and styles of baby carriers based on their unique cultures, ways of living, weather, customs and aesthetic experiences.

Baby-carrying styles offer insight to child-rearing methods, religion, social structure and craftwork of cultures. Body-carrying offers the baby a sense of safety and enhances the closeness between the parent & child. Underlying them all is the universal foundation of love, affection and devotion of parenthood.

The Asian “Baby Carriers” International Touring Exhibition will showcase a wide array of baby slings, wraps and fabric carriers. The exhibit begins with data from prehistoric and archaeological research in Taiwan. The exhibit also provides an overview of the culture of baby carriers and child rearing practices of Minnan, Hakka and Austronesian-speaking peoples in Taiwan.

All works in this exhibition are loan from the National Museum of Prehistory in Taiwan. The exhibition is sponsored by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of China, the Taipei Economic and Cultural Center in Houston, the Taiwan Academy in Houston, and UTSA East Asia Institute.