Before the 17th century, when the Han Immigration began, Taiwan’s population consisted of many different indigenous tribes scattered across all parts of the island. Now, the native population has decreased dramatically. Forced by violent confrontations and government policy the aborigine people had to give up their settlements in the plains to live in the high mountains and along the remote east coast of Taiwan. Gradual assimilation into the dominant Han society has meant that their cultures and languages are being lost. With only around 530,000 Taiwan aborigines left, each year they host the Austronesian Cultural Festival in Taitung City to promote tourism, which helps with economic self-reliance and preservation of their cultures.
These 530,000 aborigines are what is left of the Ami, Atayal, Bunun, Kanakanavu, Kavalan, Paiwan, Puyuma, Rukai, Saisiyat, Tao, Tsou, Truku, Sakizaya, and Sediq Tribes. |
My grandfather, right, and a Puyuma Song tutor, left
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Puyuma TribeThe tribe I will be focusing on is the Puyuma Tribe, the home of my grandfather and my ancestors. The Puyuma Tribe is located in Taitung, on the south east coast of Taiwan.
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