C) Their indigenous groups
Representing less than 2 percent of the entire Taiwan’s population, these aborigines, also known as yuan zhu min, are believed to be part of the Austronesian group, who came to settle in Taiwan from regions as far away as Easter Island, Madagascar and New Zealand.
Representing less than 2 percent of the entire Taiwan’s population, these aborigines, also known as yuan zhu min, are believed to be part of the Austronesian group, who came to settle in Taiwan from regions as far away as Easter Island, Madagascar and New Zealand.
There are 12 major indigenous tribal groups in Taiwan: Amis, Atayal, Yami, Saisiyat, Paiwan, Bunun, Punuyumayan, Rukai, Tsou, Kavalan, Thao and Truku. These people differ from the Han Chinese as they tend to have darker skins, bigger eyes, and sharper noses. As more mainland Chinese arrived in Taiwan, the aborigines who used to live in the plains, had gradually retreated into the mountains.
Their traditional occupations were farming, hunting, animal husbandry, and fishing. Women are still involved in handicraft works such as weaving and metalwork. All the aborigines except for the Yami practiced headhunting until the 20th century when the Japanese stepped in; this custom was then completely abolished.
Amis
The largest aboriginal tribe in Taiwan, living mainly in the eastern region from Hua-lien to Tai-tung. They have a matriarchal society where the oldest woman in the family holds the highest rank in the household. When men get married, they would move in with their wives’ families hence, the children inherit their mother’s surname.
The largest aboriginal tribe in Taiwan, living mainly in the eastern region from Hua-lien to Tai-tung. They have a matriarchal society where the oldest woman in the family holds the highest rank in the household. When men get married, they would move in with their wives’ families hence, the children inherit their mother’s surname.
Traditional Amis homes are thatched huts with wooden beams. These houses are usually large as they are used to house large families living together. This group of people worships gods of nature. As the Amis are mainly farmers, they have many rites and ceremonies to pray for a healthy harvesting season, for example, the most important being the harvest festival held in July and August annually.
Atayal
Scattered mainly all over the northern parts of Taiwan, this group of people depends on farming and hunting for survival. Different from the Amis' culture, the Atayal women are married into the men’s families. The Atayal religion is based on a belief in utux, which means supernatural spirits or the dead spirits.
Yami and Saisiyat
They are the smallest tribal groups, each consisting of about 4200 people. The Yami peoples’ homeland is Lan-yu, but many emigrated to live in Taiwan in search of more job opportunities. They are mainly fishermen but in order to have a more stable income, they breed pigs and grow taro, sweet potato, yam, and millet. The men prepare the fields for cultivation, build boats, go fishing, build homes, weave baskets, and make pottery; the women tend the crops and harvest them, take care of the domestic chores, and weave cloth. They are also famous for their beautifully carved and painted canoes which are used for fishing.
They are the smallest tribal groups, each consisting of about 4200 people. The Yami peoples’ homeland is Lan-yu, but many emigrated to live in Taiwan in search of more job opportunities. They are mainly fishermen but in order to have a more stable income, they breed pigs and grow taro, sweet potato, yam, and millet. The men prepare the fields for cultivation, build boats, go fishing, build homes, weave baskets, and make pottery; the women tend the crops and harvest them, take care of the domestic chores, and weave cloth. They are also famous for their beautifully carved and painted canoes which are used for fishing.
Like the Amis, they have the matriarchal system. If a woman does not approve of her husband in a trial marriage which lasts for a month, she can divorce him and look for a new husband.
The Saisiyat are mainly agriculturalists and foresters. 3 or 4 households of the same surname usually make up one Saisiyat settlement. A few neighbouring settlements may join to form a village and share the land and amenities. The Saisiyat culture has been strongly influenced by their neighbours, the Atayal.
Yami
Saisiyat
