indigenous people in Taiwan

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台灣是一個位於亞洲太平洋的美麗島嶼，居住著各種族群，其中原住民族約有49萬人，佔總人口數的2﹪，目前，經台灣政府認定的原住民族有：阿美族、泰雅族、排灣族、布農族、卑南族、魯凱族、鄒族、賽夏族、雅美族、邵族、噶瑪蘭族、太魯閣族以及撒奇萊雅族及賽德克等14族，各族群擁有自己的文化、語言、風俗習慣和社會結構，對台灣而言，原住民族是歷史與文化的重要根源，也是獨一無二的美麗瑰寶。
Taiwan is a beautiful island located in the Asia-Pacific region and has many ethnic groups. There are more than 490,000 indigenous people in Taiwan, about 2% of the total population. Currently, 14 tribes have been recognized by the government. They are the Amis, Atayal, Paiwan, Bunun, Puyuma, Rukai, Tsou, Saisiyat, Yami, Thao, Kavalan, Truku, Sakizaya, and Sediq, each with their own distinct language, cultural features, traditional customs and social structure. To Taiwan, indigenous people are an important source of history and culture as well as a treasure to be cherished.

阿美族Amis
阿美族分佈在中央山脈東側(east of Central range,taiwan)，立霧溪以南，太平洋沿岸的東台縱谷及東海岸平原，大部份居住於平地，只有極少數居於山谷中。

泰雅族Atayal
泰雅族分布在台灣中北部(Nouth central of Taiwan)山區，包括埔里Puli至花蓮Hualien連線以北地區。

排灣族Paiwan
排灣族以台灣南部(South of Taiwan)為活動區域，北起大武山地，南達恆春，西自隘寮，東到太麻里以南海岸。

布農族Bunun
布農族分布於中央山脈Central range海拔一千至二千公尺的山區，廣及於高雄縣Kaohsiung county 那瑪夏鄉、台東縣Taitung County 海端鄉，而以南投縣境 Nantou county為主。

卑南族Puyuma
卑南族分布於台東縱谷南部(South of Taitung longitudinal valley)。

魯凱族Rukai
魯凱族分布於高雄縣Kaohsiung county茂林鄉、屏東縣Pingtung county 霧台鄉及台東縣 Taitung county 東興村等地。

鄒族Tsou
鄒族主要居住於嘉義縣阿里山鄉 Alishan，亦分布於南投縣 Nantou county 信義鄉，以上合稱為「北鄒」；而分布於高雄縣Kaohsiung county 桃源鄉及那瑪夏鄉兩鄉者，稱之為「南鄒」。

賽夏族Saisiyal
賽夏族居住於新竹縣 Hsinchu county 與苗栗縣 Miaoli county 交界的山區，又分為南、北兩大族群。北賽夏居住於新竹縣五峰鄉，南賽夏居住於苗栗縣南庄鄉與獅潭鄉。

雅美族Yami
雅美族分布於台東Taitung 的蘭嶼島 Lanyu island上的六個村落，為台灣唯一的一支海洋民族。

邵族Thao
邵族分布於南投縣魚池鄉及水里鄉，大部份邵族人居住日月潭畔Sunmoon lake 的日月村，少部分原來屬頭社系統的邵人，則住在水里鄉頂崁村的大平林。

噶瑪蘭族Kayaian
噶瑪蘭族，過去居住於宜蘭，目前遷居到花蓮Hualian 和台東 Taitung。

太魯閣族Truku
太魯閣族大致分佈北起於花蓮縣和平溪，南迄紅葉及太平溪這一廣大的山麓地帶，即現行行政體制下的花蓮縣Hualian秀林鄉、萬榮鄉及少部份的卓溪鄉立山、崙山等地。

撒奇萊雅族Sakizaya
撒奇萊雅族的聚落主要分佈於台灣東部，大致在今日的花蓮縣Hualian境內

賽德克族Sadio
賽德克族的發源地為德鹿灣(Truwan)，為現今仁愛鄉春陽溫泉一帶，主要以台灣中部及東部地域為其活動範圍，約介於北方的泰雅族及南方的布農族之間。

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Amis Distribution

The area of Amis distribution stretches along plains around Mount Chilai in northern Hualien, south through to the long and narrow coastal plains and the hilly areas of Taitung and the Hengchun Peninsula of Pingtung. They have a total population of about 177,000, which is the largest among Taiwan’s indigenous peoples. The traditional social organization is based mainly on the matrilineal system. When marrying into the wife’s family, the male must move into the wife’s household residence. Family affairs including finance and property holdings are decided by the female head of household. Important affairs of the marriage or the allocation of wealth should be decided in a meeting with the uncles of the female household. The public affairs involving the community about tribal politics, laws, warfare, and religion are dealt with by an institution consisting of male leadership group of different of age ranks. The most important traditional ceremony is the Harvest Festival, which has rituals for celebrating the males entering the manhood and into a new age ranking group.

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Atayal Distribution
The Atayal tribe is distributed in the northern part of Taiwan’s Central Mountain areas, including the area north from Puli to Hualien. At present, the population is approximately 81,000. Slash-and-burn rotating farming and hunting are their traditional way of life. They have developed intricate fabric weaving skills, featuring sophisticated patterns and designs. To Atayal people, red color symbolizes blood, which represents the vitality of life and can keep evil spirit away; therefore red clothes are favored by them. Facial tattoos are the long-standing custom of the Atayal. Ancestral spirit worship is an important organized social activity. The worship rituals constitute the major religious ceremony. Music playing and dancing with Gan mouth string are the distinctive features of Atayal entertainment activities.

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Paiwan Distribution
Paiwan tribe is scattered on both sides of the southern Central Mountain Range - from north to Dawu Mountain, south to Hengchun, west to Fangliao, and east to Taimali of Taitung County. They are close to 86,000 in population. The chief of the noble class in each tribe is at the same time the leader in politics, military, and even in religion. Each clan is an independent and autonomous unit. As Paiwan tribe has a large population and the family-blood relationship is spread widely, the alliance between close relatives is common among the noble families. In some areas, a few noble chiefs rule over a big clan combined with the alliance of several communities. Colorful glazed beads, iron utensils, and silver jewelry are highly valued. The hundred-pace snake and the human-head designs on pottery urns, pots, and roof beams symbolize the superior status of the noble family.

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Bunun Distribution

The Bunun tribe are scattered widely around Namasia Township of Kaohsiung County, Haiduang Township of Taitung County as well as in Nantou County. The Bunun tribe can be found in the areas of the Central Mountains with average altitude of 1,000 to 2,000 meters. They have a total population of about 50,000. The society is maintained mainly by patriarchal social structure. Family members may include non-family blood relation individuals. This is also the reason why Bunun traditional family residence is pretty large in size. Ceremonies are scheduled according to millet planting, weeding, and harvest. “Pasibutbut ”, which means “Praying for a Millet Harvest” is the most famous song, the wonderful eight-part harmony sung by the Bunun people during the weeding time. “Malahtangia” is considered the most important of the life ceremonial rituals for Bunun male’s passage into manhood.

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Puyuma Distribution
The Puyuma Tribe inhabits the area in the south of Taitung Longitudinal Valley. At the peak of their military conquest, the Puyuma tribe ruled over 72 aboriginal communities in the eastern part of Taiwan. At present, their population is about 11,000. The entire Puyma tribe may be divided into eight sub-tribes called “Pa-Sher-Fan”. These groups each have different mythology about their origins. The Beinan group said they were born from bamboo, and the Jiben group said they were born from stone. The traditional social organization is maintained by two systems: one is the family system with inheritance by the eldest daughter, and the other is organized by the different ages of males. Trakuban” is the political center and education place for the males. Before getting married, the men accept warrior training with the task of defending the community. The ranking is divided according to the age groups.

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Tsou Distribution

The Tsou tribe mostly lives in Alishan Township of Chiayi County, Sinyi Township in Nantou County and Tauyuan and Namasia Townships of Kaohsiung County. They have a total population about 6,500. Strict patriarchal structure and the well-organized small and large clans are the Tsou tribe’s social and political organization. Tribal affairs are conducted by men in the “Kuba”, a house where young people must live in for their training before getting married. Women must keep away from the “Kuba”. “Mayasvi”, the War ritual and ancestor spirit worship are the major religious ceremonies. The processes of maintaining “Kuba”, trimming of holy tree, welcoming the ancestral spirits, entertaining and seeing off the spirits are elaborate with singing, rhythm music, and dancing.

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Rukai Distribution

The Rukai tribe’s population is about 11,600. They live around Maulin Township of Kaohsiung County, Wutai Township of Pingtung County and Donghsing Township of Taitung County. The traditional social structure is divided into two hierarchy systems – the nobles and the commoners. The nobles have privileges conferred by the blood-line superiority as found in the Rukai mythology. They also have the ownership of lands, and other economic privileges. Common people can elevate their social status by the way of developing individual leadership, increasing harvest production, and also through marriage. Family property inheritance is by the eldest son.

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Saisiyat Distribution

They are mostly live in WufongVillage, Hsinchu County, Nanjuang and Shrtan Villages of Miaoli County. The population is estimated at 5300. Their social organization is maintained predominately by patriarchal structure. Traditionally, each clan has its totems or symbols. In Chin Dynasty they changed their original totems into Chinese surnames, such as "Feng for Wind", "Ri for Sun" and" Xia for Summer" etc. The most important traditional activity is “Pas-taai”. Neighboring closely with Atayal, Saisiyat is greatly influenced by it in culture. 。

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Yami Distribution

The Yami tribe is located in the offshore Orchid Island of Taitung. It is the only tribe of oceanic culture in Taiwan. They have a population of about 3,500, spread over six villages on the island. Due to their isolated living environment, their culture is still kept relatively intact. Yami tribe has no leadership system. When disputes occur, the clan families and relatives are called upon to negotiate a settlement. The social affairs are administered by the male heads of the household, and by the community’s fishing groups. The creations of art and culture are abundant, such as the wood carving boats, silvery utensils, pottery, and mud dolls. Traditional houses are built underground to keep warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Tribal ceremonies are held according to the activities relating to capturing the flying fish. The flying fish is regarded as sacred. Hair dancing by Yami women is a special tribal performance, unique among Taiwan’s indigenous peoples. Men’s warrior dance is used to display the strength and beauty of the body.