Taiwanese indigenous peoples

Lore & Background

For centuries, Taiwanese indigenous peoples experienced economic competition and military conflict with colonizing newcomers. Centralized government policies fostered language shift and cultural assimilation through trade, intermarriage, and other intercultural processes, resulting in language death and loss of original cultural identity. Of the approximately 26 known Formosan languages, at least ten are now extinct, five are moribund, and several are endangered. These languages are of unique historical significance, as most historical linguists consider Taiwan the original homeland of the Austronesian languages.

Due to discrimination or repression throughout the centuries, indigenous peoples have faced economic and social inequality, including high unemployment and substandard education. Some groups remain unrecognized by the government. Since the early 1980s, many have actively sought higher political self-determination and economic development. Revival of ethnic pride is expressed through cultural tourism, pop music, and sports.

The bulk of contemporary indigenous peoples reside in traditional mountain villages and increasingly in urban areas. Plains indigenous peoples have always lived in lowland areas. Since the end of the White Terror, efforts have been made to revive traditional cultural practices and preserve distinct traditional languages.

Reader's Guide

Taiwanese indigenous peoples are significant as the original inhabitants of Taiwan and the linguistic homeland of the Austronesian expansion, whose descendant groups include the majority of ethnic groups across East and Southeast Asia, Oceania, and even Madagascar. Their Formosan languages are unique, containing all primary branches of Austronesian except Malayo-Polynesian. Historically classified by colonizers as 'raw' or 'cooked' based on submission to rule, these peoples have endured centuries of economic competition, military conflict, and assimilation policies. Today, 16 groupings are officially recognized as tribes, though scholars note these divisions do not reflect pre-modern social entities.

The distinction between plains (Pingpu) and mountain (Gaoshan) peoples continues to affect government policies and political participation. Since the 1980s, indigenous groups have pursued self-determination and cultural revival, incorporating elements into tourism, music, and sports. Their legacy includes ongoing efforts to preserve endangered languages and traditions on a now Han Chinese-majority island.

Did You Know?

• The Qing dynasty used the terms 'raw' (uncivilized) for indigenous who had not submitted and 'cooked' (civilized) for those who paid a head tax and assimilated to Han norms.
• The distinction between Pingpu (plains) and Gaoshan (high mountain) peoples originated in the late 19th century and continues to affect Taiwan's policies regarding indigenous peoples.