Long before Republic of China, Japanese colonization, Qing Dynasty and even the Europeans shouting “Ilha Formosa,” there were indigenous people living in Taiwan. Taiwan’s indigenous people are considered Austronesian, or Austronesian-speaking people. They belong to the the same language family as those in Southeast Asia, Oceania and Madagascar. Officially, there are only 16 tribes that are recognized by the Taiwan government. Though Taiwan has a majority population of Han Chinese now, its original residents were indigenous Austronesian tribes. In fact, Taiwan is believed to be where the languages and cultures of the Austronesians began, which includes people in the Pacific Islands, Southeast Asia, the Maoris in New Zealand and Polynesians in Hawaii.
[Taiwan]
When the Republic of China government (current ruling government in Taiwan) came to Taiwan in 1945, the Japanese empire (having governed Taiwan for 50 years) had already classified 9 different indigenous nations:
- Amis
- Atayal
- Bunun
- Paiwan
- Puyuma
- Rukai
- Saisiyat
- Tsou
- Yami
From the 2000s, the government started to recognize more tribes and has now expanded the list to 16 tribes total.
- Amis
- Atayal
- Bunun
- Hla’alua (Saaroa)
- Kavalan
- Kanakanavu
- Paiwan
- Pinuyumayan (corrected from Puyama)
- Rukai
- Saisiyat
- Sakizaya
Sakizaya becomes Taiwan’s 13th native tribe
- Seediq
- Tao (Yami)
- Thao
- Tsou
- Truku (Taroko)
Locally Recognized
- Makatao
- Siraya
- Taivoan
Unrecognized
- Babuza
- Basay
- Hoanya
- Ketagalan
- Luilang
- Pazeh/Kaxabu
- Papora
- Qauqaut
- Taokas
- Trobiawan
Tribal culture survives in Taiwan
Taiwan’s 14 aboriginal tribes occupied the island for as long as 15,000 years before Han settlers from China arrived in the 17th Century. They lived as hunters and gatherers in the mountains or by fishing in the sea. Although they currently number only about 500,000 (2% of the population), it is still possible to experience their unique cultures. Just across the street from Taipei’s famous National Palace Museum, is the Shung Ye Museum of Formosan Aborigines, one of the largest museums devoted to indigenous cultures.
Orchid Island (Lanyu)
Situated off the southeastern coast of Taiwan, the small island is home to the most remotely located indigenous tribe: the Tao. The Japanese colonial government restricted public access to the island to study the Tao. When the Republic of China took over in 1945, it kept the ban in place, lifting it only in 1967. Those restrictions, and Orchid Island’s geographic remoteness, have preserved traditions among these indigenous people.
Taitung City
On Taiwan’s east coast, Taitung has one of the largest concentrations of indigenous tribes. Each summer, the Festival of Austronesian and Formosa Indigenous Cultures is held here, bringing together native people from Austronesian countries to share their customs, song and dance. The National Museum of Prehistory, built to save a Puyuma tribe archaeological site, is also located here and is a good place to learn about Taiwan’s indigenous cultures.
Alishan (Ali Mountain)
Alishan is a popular scenic attraction in Taiwan, but it is also home to the Tsou tribe, which has largely been left out of the development of this major scenic area. Stop off at villages along the main road, and over a cup of home brewed coffee you will hear how they want to preserve the beauty of the mountain cherished by their ancestors, not overdevelop it.
Language is the manifestation of cultural identity, President Tsai said, adding that when indigenous children can speak their mother tongues, they will be able to pass down their cultures and values to the next generation. According to the CIP, there are 42 dialects of Taiwan’s 16 officially recognized indigenous languages. Citing the Indigenous Languages Development Act, which designates the tongues of the country’s 16 officially recognized indigenous tribes as national languages of the Republic of China (Taiwan), Tsai said that the government is determined to foster an environment that encourages speaking and learning indigenous languages.
Meet the Amis Tribe of Hualien Mataian
Taiwan’s Hualien region features large swaths of pristine wilderness. The Mataian Wetland Ecological Park is an especially great area to visit. The Amis tribe makes its home on this land. By visiting, you’ll be able to try out some of the foods that the tribe consumes, including wild bitter melon, water celery and pigeon peas. While you’re there, try to see a demonstration of the Amis tribe’s unique Palakaw fish-catching strategy.
Learn About Taiwan’s Largest Tribal Group
The Amis people make up the largest Taiwanese aboriginal group. Head over to Dulan Taitung to get a clear idea about the compelling, incredibly long history of these proud people. The region in which they live looks strikingly similar to Maui, so you’ll have plenty of breathtaking scenery to enjoy along the way.
Experience the Cultural Traditions of the Tsou Tribe
A journey to Alishan is well worth it as you get to explore the tiny but highly influential Tsou culture. Although it numbers just 5,000 people, the tribe has had a lasting impact on the culture of Taiwan. To this day, their method of cooking rice in bamboo tubes lives on. Local schools in Alishan still teach the native Tsou language, too. The Tao or Tau tribe has steadfastly held onto its traditional habits. Every year, the Tao hold the Festival of the Flying Fish, to honor the annual return of this important staple of their diet. Attend the festival for a cultural immersion.
Catch a Traditional Performance at Formosan Village
With its prime location on the edge of Sun Moon Lake, the Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village is an easy place to include during any Taiwanese aboriginal adventure. Here aboriginals perform traditional dances and other rituals and there’s nowhere else in Taiwan where you can see long-running cultural ceremonies up close and personal.
Immerse Yourself in Hakka Culture at the Meinong Folk Village
The Hakka peoples are among the most well-known Taiwanese aboriginals. Swing by the Meinong Folk Village near Sun Moon Lake to learn more about their rich history and many compelling habits. While you’re there, buy a traditional Hakka umbrella as a souvenir – they are famous around the region.
Taiwanese indigenous peoples (formerly Taiwanese aborigines), Formosan people, Austronesian Taiwanese, Yuanzhumin or Gaoshan people, are the indigenous peoples of Taiwan, who number about 569,000 or 2.38% of the island‘s population. This total is increased to more than 800,000 people if the indigenous peoples of the plains in Taiwan are included, pending future official recognition.
Taiwanese indigenous peoples are Austronesian peoples, with linguistic and cultural ties, as well as some genetic drift to other Austronesian peoples. Taiwan is the origin of the oceanic Austronesian expansion whose descendant groups today include the majority of the ethnic groups in places such as Brunei, East Timor, Indonesia, Malaysia, Madagascar, Philippines, Micronesia and Polynesia.
Statistically, the indigenous peoples of Taiwan have experienced economic and social inequality, including a high unemployment rate and substandard education. Since the early 1980s, many indigenous groups have been actively seeking a higher degree of political self-determination and economic development. The revival of ethnic pride is expressed in many ways by the indigenous peoples, including the incorporation of elements of their culture into cultural commodities such as cultural tourism, pop music and sports.
Nine people groups were originally recognized before 1945 by the Japanese government. The Thao, Kavalan and Truku were recognized by Taiwan’s government in 2001, 2002 and 2004 respectively. The Sakizaya were recognized as a 13th on 17 January 2007, and on 23 April 2008 the Sediq were recognized as Taiwan’s 14th official ethnic group. Previously the Sakizaya had been listed as Amis and the Sediq as Atayal. Hla’alua and Kanakanavu were recognized as the 15th and 16th ethnic group on 26 June 2014.
THE ROOTS OF TAIWAN’S INDIGENOUS PEOPLES PROTESTS
Taiwan Aboriginal Projects 臺灣原住民14族
POVERTY AMONG THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLE OF TAIWAN
Taiwan is an island nation off the coast of China that houses 560,000 indigenous peoples — around 2.7% of the entire population. In the 1940s, the Chinese Civil War forced the Republic of China (ROC) to relocate its base to Taiwan, causing 1.4 million people to migrate from the mainland.
Indigenous Peoples Literature 