GET TO KNOW THE TRIBES
Learn about the great heritage, traditional customs, and unique way of life of the 9 main Aboriginal Tribes of Taiwan.
THE AMIS
Distribution area: Hualien and Taitung area south of Liwu River Population: 210,839 (2018/12)
The Amis are the most populous among the Aborigines in Taiwan. They are distributed on the east side of the Central Mountain Range in Taiwan, from Hualien in the north to Taitung in the south, and stretching near Hengchun in the southeast. Most of the Amis live on flat ground, in fact, only a few live in the mountains. In terms of craftsmanship, the Amis excels in bamboo weaving and pottery works.
The Amis is a typical matrilineal society. Women have an absolute status in the kinship society, while men occupy a more subordinate status.
The tribe has developed a more advanced way of life, both agriculturally and economically, thus contributing to their larger population.
In terms of craftsmanship, the Amis excels in bamboo weaving and pottery works.
THE ATAYAL
Distribution area: North of Puli, Nantou County Population: 90,788 (2018/12)
The Atayal is the second largest group of aborigines in Taiwan. In the past, the Atayal had a custom of facial tattooing to show that men are good at war and women are good at weaving. The weaving skills of the Atayal tribe are the most sophisticated of all tribes.
Farming and hunting are the main economic activities of the Atayal people, while animal husbandry is a secondary activity. The Atayal people are warlike and have the habit of headhunting in the past. The reason for headhunting is mostly for revenge or meritorious service. Headhunting warriors wear special clothing to commend their martial arts achievements and social status during headhunting battles and triumphant celebrations.
Face tattooing is a very special custom of Atayal people. Facial tattoos depict a person to be beautiful or handsome, help avoid evil spirits, and facilitate connections with dead ancestors. Tattooed noodles are also a kind of ethnic symbol, a symbol of a community or adulthood, which often attracts the opposite sex. The Atayal tribe is a patrilineal descent group society. The leadership of the tribe, which has both political and military command, belongs to the priest.
THE PAIWAN
Distribution area: Southern Taiwan Population: 101,400 (2018/12)
The Paiwan tribe, along with the Amis and the Atayal, make up the three largest aborigines tribes in Taiwan.
Traditionally, the main production method of the Paiwan people is based on the cultivation of mountain fields, hunting, raising livestock, and fishing. The main crops are millet and taro, while others include peanuts, tree peas, and sweet potatoes.
The Paiwan distinct and well-implemented social class is classified by ownership and inheritance of land. The social hierarchy is divided into nobles, scholars, and civilians, and heavily impacts Paiwan’s way of life. For instance, hunting dominates the life of Paiwan men. However, a common civilian hunter must pay rent to the noble owner of the hunting ground.
THE RUKAI
Distribution area: southern part of the Central Mountain Range Population: 13,383 (2018/12)
The traditional Rukai economic production method is still dominated by farming. The main crops are millet and upland taro, and others include tree beans and sweet potatoes. After the taro is harvested, it is roasted and stored for one year's consumption. The secondary production method is hunting, animal husbandry, and mountain stream fishing.
The Rukai people are renowned for their primitive arts, especially women’s weaving and men’s wood carvings. In fact, excellent woodcarvers are the most respected and loved among the tribe. While glazed glass beads are their important ornaments and Ling urns are their important ceremonial vessels, the Rukai people do not make them. These artifacts are left by their ancestors, so they symbolize an important significance: the origin of their ancestors.
According to legend, the ancestors of the Rukai people were born by the Hundred Pace Snake. Therefore, the Hundred Pace Snake pattern is regarded as a symbol of the ancestral spirit. It’s often seen painted or carved on doors, wood, body tattoos, clothing, embroideries, household items, and other utensils.
THE TAO
Distribution area: Lanyu Population: 4,624 (2018/12)
The Tao (Dawu) tribe was formerly known as the Yami tribe. Due to self-consciousness following the establishment of the Republic of China in 1987, the name of the Japanese occupation era has been changed to the Tao tribe.
The Tao clan is located on Lanyu Island, located approximately 200 kilometers Southeast of mainland Taiwan. Lanyu is an ancient volcanic island surrounded by raised coral reefs.
The traditional houses are semi-troglodyte underground houses, made specially to resist wind damage during the typhoon season. The main house is built along a slightly inclined hillside. Therefore, from the outside, only part of the roof can be seen. The front side of the house is a workroom built on the ground and has a storage basement.
THE PUYUMA
Distribution area: Taitung Plain Population: 14,321 (2018/12)
The Puyuma ethnic group is distributed in Beinan Township, Taitung County.
The ethnic group accepted Sinicization and farming technology very early. In terms of social organization, they also have the same age group as the Amis ethnic group, and the leader system is similar to the Paiwan ethnic group. The Puyuma kinship recognizes the inheritance of the eldest daughter.
In the early days, witchcraft was very popular within the Puyuma tribe, which instilled great fear among the other tribes. Puyuma witchcraft is divided into white witches and black witches. White witches cure people's illnesses, while black witches cast curses to harm people.
THE BUNUN
Distribution area: mountain areas in Central and Southern Taiwan Population 58,823 (2018/12)
The Bunun people live at the highest altitude among all ethnic groups in Taiwan. The Bunun people’s prayer song for the harvest of millet is the world-famous "Eight-Part Harmony."
The Bunun people are aggressive warriors, always looking to gain hunting grounds and avenge their blood. They’re not afraid to wage wars, as wars show off their bravery. Therefore, the general who leads the tribe into battle is the best candidate for the tribe’s political leader.
A unique custom is the removal of the left and right incisors of Bunun women. Doing so exposes the red tongue between the teeth, which is considered provocative. Another custom is body tattooing, which is a symbol of adulthood. Women get tattooed to prepare for marriage, while men receive chest or lower shoulder tattoos as a kind of amulet. However, as society evolved, these customs have slowly disappeared.
THE THAO
Distribution area: Sun Moon Lake Population of 794 people (2018/12)
The Thao is an extremely ethnic minority tribe settled on the shores of Sun Moon Lake.
They are the smallest ethnic group in Taiwan, with a total population of a little more than 700 people. The tribe was academically recognized as an aboriginal nation in the 1990s, and became the tenth native Taiwanese tribe.
The Shiyin Theater in this area has a variety of traditional musical instruments where visitors can also go up and play. The popular millet shaved ice and bamboo rice bowl sold here has authentic aboriginal flavor.
Fishing, hunting, and raising livestock are central to Thao’s way of life, as they provide necessary food, contribute to important ceremonies, and support their economic income.
THE TSOU
Distribution area: Southwestern foothills of Yushan Mountain and Alishan area Population 6,663 (2018/12)
In the early Tsou literature, it was called the Cao. The “maiden from Alishan that is as beautiful as the water” sung in the song
“Gaoshan Qing”, refers to a girl of the Tsou tribe.
The meeting place of the Tsou nationality is called Kuba, which is the center of social organization. Important tribal affairs meetings and festivals are held there.
One such celebration, the annual year-end festival after the millet harvest season, is held under the red banyan tree in front of Kuba. Therefore, the red banyan tree is regarded as a sacred tree, and contact is usually prohibited. Hunting used to and still occupies an important custom in the Tsou nation.
