Indigenous People in Taiwan In Comparison with California Indians By Tim Hsueh

Where is Taiwan?

How many Tribes are in Taiwan? There are 12 Mountain& Oceanic Tribes: Saisiat, Bunun, Tsou, Rukai, Paiwan, Atayal, Taroko, Kuvalan, Amis, Thao, Puyuma and Yami.

Vanished Plain Tribes There are 9 Plain Tribes in Taiwan: Kavalan, Luilang, Ketagalan, Taokas, Pazeh, Papora, Babuza, Hoanya, Siraya.

Historical Periods of Taiwan 3000 B.C.: Mountain Tribes Saisiat and Atayal settled in Taiwan. (Moved from China or Southern Asia) B.C.: Plain Tribes moved to Taiwan from Southern Asia A.D.: Dutch & Spanish period – 1895 A.D.: Chinese Qing dynasty period – 1945 A.D.: Japanese period A.D. – Present: Modern Chinese period.

Indigenous people in Dutch Period Dutch settled in Southern Taiwan and they constructed roads and cities. Also, they eliminated several strong war-like tribes. Used the Jesuits and tribe elders to control the peaceful tribes. Constructed several schools and churches. All the teachers were Jesuits. They converted the indigenous people to become Christian and they taught the indigenous people to use the alphabet to spell their languages. Used the indigenous people as soldiers and workers.

Indigenous people in Qing period Reserved land for indigenous people. Did not allow any relationship between indigenous people and Chinese people or Manchu people. (Marriage, Peace treaty.) Divided indigenous tribes into two groups: Tamed and Untamed. Called indigenous people Fang: Meaning uneducated, undeveloped and uncivilized. Indigenous people defended Taiwan from Japanese Invasion.

Indigenous people in Japanese period Used strong military force to control indigenous tribes. Started wars between tribes in order to eliminate each tribes. Took over the mountain areas from indigenous tribes and the resources. Forced indigenous people to become slaves Local Policeman robbed from indigenous people and raped the girls.

Continue… Used political marriage to suppress the resistance. Took away all the Iron tools and Hunting rifles. Massively murdered the people who did not want to follow the orders.

Wo Sho Event Cause: Local policeman beat the leader of the Atayal tribe. Atayal tribe Successfully took over 13 police stations near Wo Sho. Japanese called in troops from all over Taiwan. Japanese used machine guns, cannons and airplanes. Japanese also used flyers and gas bombs. In the end, Atayal tribe surrendered.

Indigenous people in Modern Chinese period Nationalist party forced everyone to speak Mandarin. Children will be punished if they speak any languages other than Mandarin in school. Ethnocide occurred. Used the same reserved land from Qing and Japanese period. Many indigenous people became farmers because the government needed agriculture to boost economic. Unlike Qing dynasty, Nationalist party wanted to create more relationships between Indigenous people and Chinese people.

Red Leaf Baseball Team( ) Made mainly by Bunun people in Red Leaf elementary school. Used stones and wooden bats. Defeated Japanese world champion team. Part of the reason why Taiwan has strong baseball team today. Also many professional baseball players in Taiwan are also indigenous people today.

Education Data of Indigenous people in 2001

Income Data of Indigenous people in 2001

Problems and Privileges of Taiwanese Indigenous people today Problems: Culture vanishing Education/Work Racism Identification Privileges: Better chance to get into High school and University. Aids from government. Rights on reserved lands.