Sakizaya people
Encyclopedia
The Sakizaya are Taiwanese Aborigines
with a population of approximately 5,000–10,000. They primarily live in the counties of Keelung
, Taoyuan
, and New Taipei, as well as on Hualien
(formerly known as Chilai or Kiray), where their culture is centered.
The Sakizaya are an Austronesian people, mostly related to other Taiwanese Aborigines
but also have cultural, linguistic, and genetic ties to other Austronesian ethnic groups, such as those from the Philippines
, Malaysia, Indonesia
, Madagascar
, and Oceania
. Though their language is their most defining feature, it has not been recognized as a "true language" but simply a dialect of Amis
, even though both languages are not grammatically similar.
The Sakizaya traditionally practiced ancestor worship, which includes the worship of a pantheon
of gods and ancestral spirits. However, most have converted to Christianity
. Their society is mostly matrilinear, and women often have the authority. On January 17, 2007, the tribe satisfied the Taiwanese government
's requirements for full tribal status. Prior to this, the tribe was previously classified as Amis, the tribe where they "hid" after they, and their Kavalan allies, fought a devastating battle against Qing invaders
during the late 19th century.
, though this may have been a result of intermarriage. The C2
and C3
haplogroups are absent in their population.
. According to some experts, the first human inhabitants of the island arrived 15,000 years ago and were dependent on marine life for survival. Neolithic
peoples began arriving 6,000 years ago, which allowed the advent of agriculture, domestic animals, polished stone adzes, and pottery. The presence of these adzes imply a relation with the Penghu islands, where these objects are common.
occurred during the 17th century, when the Dutch
and the Spanish
arrived. It was during this time when a 1636 Spanish document was written about the name and activities of the people. Since then, there were not any reports of external contact until the 19th century.
Unlike earlier ones, 19th century contacts with the tribe were not peaceful. During the "Mudan Incident
", the Japan
ese sent 3,600 troops in 1874 to punish the “vicious, violent and cruel” tribes
, accusing them of murdering their shipwrecked sailors. This event turned out to be "brutal" which was due to the Japanese policy to "exterminate" the tribes.
In 1878, the Sakizaya, and their Kavalan
allies, fought a devastating battle against Qing
invaders. This event ended in disaster for the both tribes causing many of their tribesmen to be slaughtered in an event called the "Takobowan Incident" (also known as the “Galeewan Incident” or “Kalyawan Battle”). Others were displaced by Han
settlers. The remaining Sakizaya, meanwhile, were forced to blend with other tribes, such as the Ami, with the intention of protecting their identity.
When the Japanese ruled Taiwan
in 1895, anthropologists classified the tribe as a sub-group of the Amis. The tribe, however, discreetly maintained their own culture and language which continued during the next century.
based on historical, linguistic and cultural data. This was soon officially filed on October 14, 2005. Eventually, the petition was approved on January 17, 2007, recognizing them as a tribal group.
Like other Taiwanese Aborigines, the Sakizaya face contemporary social and economic challenges. These include urbanization of the youth, a phenomenon that may affect their culture.
. However, the National Chengchi University
, has stated that it remains 60–70 percent different from the Amis language
despite the two groups living together. Currently, there are about 2,000 speakers of the language.
The tribe also speaks several other languages. These include languages spoken by the tribes where they have hidden such as Amis
, and also Mandarin
, the official language of the country
.
Currently, the traditional religious beliefs of the Sakizaya are currently experiencing external pressures since many of the tribesmen may have converted to Christianity
. The threat is also heightened by the increasing importance of Christianity to the community.
of the Filipinos
. They are considered to be "fickle as the weather" so priests or mapalaway are necessary to communicate with them. They are also invisible to most people though they are known to wear red. Several beliefs are associated with these spirits, such as pregnancy and death. The homeland of the dito is Meilun Mountain in Hualien, which is also the place where the deceased pass through before finally resting in the sea.
Rituals are practiced to appease the dito and often mimic rituals performed by other Austronesian
peoples. The practice of these are dictated according to the seasons; spring or pasavaan, summer or ralod, fall or sadinsing, and winter or kasinawan. An example of these is the Palamal or the "Worship of the Fire God".
According to a Japanese document, several rituals are associated with the main staples, millet
or havay and dry rice or tipus. These included the "Millet Sowing Ritual", "Fishing Ritual", "Collecting Ritual", "Harvest Ritual", and "Storing Ritual", which are all based on the growth of the millet.
. The religion first arrived in Formosa during the age of European colonization. Its formal arrival occurred in 1627, during the arrival of Georgius Candidius, the first ordained minister ever to set foot on the island. According to this missionary, the conversion of the natives was effective. The conversion was so successful that native clergymen soon became a necessity. This success, however, was short-lived since Christians faced persecution after the arrival of the Chinese
. It was not until late in the 20th century when this religion began to achieve its resurgence.
Currently, almost 70 percent of Taiwanese Aborigines practice Christianity, though the exact number of Sakizaya practicing this religion is uncertain. The religion has become effective in maintaining social unity, which has traditionally been held by traditional practices.
In terms of survival, fishing
and hunting
are important. Rice
cultivation also forms a significant aspect of their food production. This practice is thought to have been acquired through the Kavalan. Millet
is also important not only as a food source but also as way in determining the occasions of various festivals.
Golden robes are usually worn by important tribal leaders during special celebrations. Headhunting
was once prevalent but has now fallen out of practice.
Currently, the culture of the Sakizaya is under threat due to the small but steady urbanization
of Sakizaya youth. Efforts to preserve their culture have been initiated by the government, which believes this could be beneficial to ecotourism
.
Taiwanese aborigines
Taiwanese aborigines is the term commonly applied in reference to the indigenous peoples of Taiwan. Although Taiwanese indigenous groups hold a variety of creation myths, recent research suggests their ancestors may have been living on the islands for approximately 8,000 years before major Han...
with a population of approximately 5,000–10,000. They primarily live in the counties of Keelung
Keelung
Keelung City is a major port city situated in the northeastern part of Taiwan. It borders New Taipei and forms the Taipei–Keelung metropolitan area, along with the Taipei and New Taipei. Nicknamed the Rainy Port for its frequent rain and maritime role, the city is Taiwan's second largest seaport...
, Taoyuan
Taoyuan County (Taiwan)
Taoyuan County is a county of the Republic of China , located in the northwestern part of the island, contiguous with New Taipei City, Hsinchu County, and Yilan County. Taoyuan City is located in this county and serves as the seat of Taoyuan County...
, and New Taipei, as well as on Hualien
Hualien County
Hualien County is the largest county in Taiwan and is located on the mountainous eastern coast of Taiwan. It contains the island's largest port. It is the starting point of the Hualien-Taitung Line and the terminal point of North-Link Line of TRA...
(formerly known as Chilai or Kiray), where their culture is centered.
The Sakizaya are an Austronesian people, mostly related to other Taiwanese Aborigines
Taiwanese aborigines
Taiwanese aborigines is the term commonly applied in reference to the indigenous peoples of Taiwan. Although Taiwanese indigenous groups hold a variety of creation myths, recent research suggests their ancestors may have been living on the islands for approximately 8,000 years before major Han...
but also have cultural, linguistic, and genetic ties to other Austronesian ethnic groups, such as those from the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
, Malaysia, Indonesia
Indonesia
Indonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 13,000 islands. It has 33 provinces with over 238 million people, and is the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia is a republic, with an...
, Madagascar
Madagascar
The Republic of Madagascar is an island country located in the Indian Ocean off the southeastern coast of Africa...
, and Oceania
Oceania
Oceania is a region centered on the islands of the tropical Pacific Ocean. Conceptions of what constitutes Oceania range from the coral atolls and volcanic islands of the South Pacific to the entire insular region between Asia and the Americas, including Australasia and the Malay Archipelago...
. Though their language is their most defining feature, it has not been recognized as a "true language" but simply a dialect of Amis
Amis language
Amis is the Formosan language of the Amis Ami, an indigenous tribal people living along the east coast of Taiwan . It is spoken from Hualien in the north to Taitung in the south, with another population near the southern end of the island, though the northern varieties are sometimes considered a...
, even though both languages are not grammatically similar.
The Sakizaya traditionally practiced ancestor worship, which includes the worship of a pantheon
Pantheon (gods)
A pantheon is a set of all the gods of a particular polytheistic religion or mythology.Max Weber's 1922 opus, Economy and Society discusses the link between a...
of gods and ancestral spirits. However, most have converted to Christianity
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
. Their society is mostly matrilinear, and women often have the authority. On January 17, 2007, the tribe satisfied the Taiwanese government
Republic of China
The Republic of China , commonly known as Taiwan , is a unitary sovereign state located in East Asia. Originally based in mainland China, the Republic of China currently governs the island of Taiwan , which forms over 99% of its current territory, as well as Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu and other minor...
's requirements for full tribal status. Prior to this, the tribe was previously classified as Amis, the tribe where they "hid" after they, and their Kavalan allies, fought a devastating battle against Qing invaders
Qing Dynasty
The Qing Dynasty was the last dynasty of China, ruling from 1644 to 1912 with a brief, abortive restoration in 1917. It was preceded by the Ming Dynasty and followed by the Republic of China....
during the late 19th century.
History
Due to their intermingling within other tribes, the original genetic identity of the Sakizaya is uncertain. According to one study, they are intimately related to the Northern and Middle Amis. They also seem to share certain genetic traits with other tribal groups, as well as with the Taiwanese HanTaiwanese people
Taiwanese people may refer to individuals who either claim or are imputed cultural identity focused on the island of Taiwan and/or Taiwan Area which have been governed by the Republic of China since 1945...
, though this may have been a result of intermarriage. The C2
Haplogroup C (mtDNA)
In human mitochondrial genetics, Haplogroup C is a human mitochondrial DNA haplogroup.-Origin:Haplogroup C is believed to have arisen somewhere between the Caspian Sea and Lake Baikal some 60,000 years before present. It is a descendant of the haplogroup M.-Distribution:Haplogroup C is found in...
and C3
Haplogroup C (mtDNA)
In human mitochondrial genetics, Haplogroup C is a human mitochondrial DNA haplogroup.-Origin:Haplogroup C is believed to have arisen somewhere between the Caspian Sea and Lake Baikal some 60,000 years before present. It is a descendant of the haplogroup M.-Distribution:Haplogroup C is found in...
haplogroups are absent in their population.
Early history
Much of the history of the Sakizaya is still unknown. It is unclear when the Sakizaya, or their ancestors, first arrived in TaiwanTaiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
. According to some experts, the first human inhabitants of the island arrived 15,000 years ago and were dependent on marine life for survival. Neolithic
Neolithic
The Neolithic Age, Era, or Period, or New Stone Age, was a period in the development of human technology, beginning about 9500 BC in some parts of the Middle East, and later in other parts of the world. It is traditionally considered as the last part of the Stone Age...
peoples began arriving 6,000 years ago, which allowed the advent of agriculture, domestic animals, polished stone adzes, and pottery. The presence of these adzes imply a relation with the Penghu islands, where these objects are common.
Colonial era
The first contact with the tribe outside of FormosaFormosa
Formosa or Ilha Formosa is a Portuguese historical name for Taiwan , literally meaning, "Beautiful Island". The term may also refer to:-Places:* Formosa Strait, another name for the Taiwan Strait...
occurred during the 17th century, when the Dutch
Dutch Empire
The Dutch Empire consisted of the overseas territories controlled by the Dutch Republic and later, the modern Netherlands from the 17th to the 20th century. The Dutch followed Portugal and Spain in establishing an overseas colonial empire, but based on military conquest of already-existing...
and the Spanish
Spanish Empire
The Spanish Empire comprised territories and colonies administered directly by Spain in Europe, in America, Africa, Asia and Oceania. It originated during the Age of Exploration and was therefore one of the first global empires. At the time of Habsburgs, Spain reached the peak of its world power....
arrived. It was during this time when a 1636 Spanish document was written about the name and activities of the people. Since then, there were not any reports of external contact until the 19th century.
Unlike earlier ones, 19th century contacts with the tribe were not peaceful. During the "Mudan Incident
Taiwan Expedition of 1874
The , usually referred to in Taiwan and mainland China as the Mudan incident , was a punitive expedition launched by the Japanese in retaliation for the murder of 54 Ryukyuan sailors by Paiwan aborigines near the southwestern tip of Taiwan in December 1871...
", the Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese sent 3,600 troops in 1874 to punish the “vicious, violent and cruel” tribes
Taiwanese aborigines
Taiwanese aborigines is the term commonly applied in reference to the indigenous peoples of Taiwan. Although Taiwanese indigenous groups hold a variety of creation myths, recent research suggests their ancestors may have been living on the islands for approximately 8,000 years before major Han...
, accusing them of murdering their shipwrecked sailors. This event turned out to be "brutal" which was due to the Japanese policy to "exterminate" the tribes.
In 1878, the Sakizaya, and their Kavalan
Kavalan people
The Kavalan or Kuvalan are an indigenous people of Taiwan, part of the larger Taiwanese aborigine ethnic group. The Kavalan originally inhabited modern-day Yilan County. Most of them moved to the coastal area of Hualien County and Taitung County in the 19th century...
allies, fought a devastating battle against Qing
Qing Dynasty
The Qing Dynasty was the last dynasty of China, ruling from 1644 to 1912 with a brief, abortive restoration in 1917. It was preceded by the Ming Dynasty and followed by the Republic of China....
invaders. This event ended in disaster for the both tribes causing many of their tribesmen to be slaughtered in an event called the "Takobowan Incident" (also known as the “Galeewan Incident” or “Kalyawan Battle”). Others were displaced by Han
Han Chinese
Han Chinese are an ethnic group native to China and are the largest single ethnic group in the world.Han Chinese constitute about 92% of the population of the People's Republic of China , 98% of the population of the Republic of China , 78% of the population of Singapore, and about 20% of the...
settlers. The remaining Sakizaya, meanwhile, were forced to blend with other tribes, such as the Ami, with the intention of protecting their identity.
When the Japanese ruled Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
in 1895, anthropologists classified the tribe as a sub-group of the Amis. The tribe, however, discreetly maintained their own culture and language which continued during the next century.
Modern times
In 2004, the tribe presented a petition for official tribal status to the Council of Indigenous PeoplesCouncil of Indigenous Peoples
The Council of Indigenous Peoples , a ministry-level body under the Executive Yuan in Taiwan, was established in 1996 to provide a central point of government supervision for indigenous affairs, as well as a central interface for the Taiwan's indigenous community to interact...
based on historical, linguistic and cultural data. This was soon officially filed on October 14, 2005. Eventually, the petition was approved on January 17, 2007, recognizing them as a tribal group.
Like other Taiwanese Aborigines, the Sakizaya face contemporary social and economic challenges. These include urbanization of the youth, a phenomenon that may affect their culture.
Language
The Sakizaya speaks a language classified as a dialect of Nataoran Amis, a Formosan language that belongs to the Austronesian language familyAustronesian languages
The Austronesian languages are a language family widely dispersed throughout the islands of Southeast Asia and the Pacific, with a few members spoken on continental Asia that are spoken by about 386 million people. It is on par with Indo-European, Niger-Congo, Afroasiatic and Uralic as one of the...
. However, the National Chengchi University
National Chengchi University
National Chengchi University is a prestigious public university at Muzha in Wenshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan. It is well-known for its concentration on the social sciences, law, commerce, communication, liberal arts and for its MBA programs....
, has stated that it remains 60–70 percent different from the Amis language
Amis language
Amis is the Formosan language of the Amis Ami, an indigenous tribal people living along the east coast of Taiwan . It is spoken from Hualien in the north to Taitung in the south, with another population near the southern end of the island, though the northern varieties are sometimes considered a...
despite the two groups living together. Currently, there are about 2,000 speakers of the language.
The tribe also speaks several other languages. These include languages spoken by the tribes where they have hidden such as Amis
Amis language
Amis is the Formosan language of the Amis Ami, an indigenous tribal people living along the east coast of Taiwan . It is spoken from Hualien in the north to Taitung in the south, with another population near the southern end of the island, though the northern varieties are sometimes considered a...
, and also Mandarin
Taiwanese Mandarin
Taiwanese Mandarin is a variant of Mandarin derived from the official Standard Mandarin spoken in Taiwan Area of the Republic of China . The latter's standard lect is known in Taiwan as 國語 , based on the phonology of the Beijing dialect together with the grammar of Vernacular Chinese...
, the official language of the country
Republic of China
The Republic of China , commonly known as Taiwan , is a unitary sovereign state located in East Asia. Originally based in mainland China, the Republic of China currently governs the island of Taiwan , which forms over 99% of its current territory, as well as Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu and other minor...
.
Religion
The Sakizaya practice a variety of religions. These include traditional beliefs that mixes aspects of Ancestor Worship and Animism, Some may also practice Christianity.Currently, the traditional religious beliefs of the Sakizaya are currently experiencing external pressures since many of the tribesmen may have converted to Christianity
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
. The threat is also heightened by the increasing importance of Christianity to the community.
Dito
The tribe is known to practice ancestor worship. They believe on a pantheon of ancestral spirits and deities known as dito, similar to the kawas of the Amis, as well as the anitoAnito
Anito is the collective name for Pre-Hispanic belief system that exists in the Philippines. It is also the name for spirits, which may include deceased ancestors and nature-spirits or diwatas. Native Filipinos usually keep statues to represent these spirits and to ask guidance and even magical...
of the Filipinos
Filipino people
The Filipino people or Filipinos are an Austronesian ethnic group native to the islands of the Philippines. There are about 92 million Filipinos in the Philippines, and about 11 million living outside the Philippines ....
. They are considered to be "fickle as the weather" so priests or mapalaway are necessary to communicate with them. They are also invisible to most people though they are known to wear red. Several beliefs are associated with these spirits, such as pregnancy and death. The homeland of the dito is Meilun Mountain in Hualien, which is also the place where the deceased pass through before finally resting in the sea.
Gods and rituals
The Sakizaya have several gods. A few examples include Malataw‧Otoki, the deity the spirit of the world, Olipong, the god that "drives away illnesses", and Talaman or Takonawan, the god of the poor. An individual's personal dito also become the god of death once they have died.Rituals are practiced to appease the dito and often mimic rituals performed by other Austronesian
Austronesian languages
The Austronesian languages are a language family widely dispersed throughout the islands of Southeast Asia and the Pacific, with a few members spoken on continental Asia that are spoken by about 386 million people. It is on par with Indo-European, Niger-Congo, Afroasiatic and Uralic as one of the...
peoples. The practice of these are dictated according to the seasons; spring or pasavaan, summer or ralod, fall or sadinsing, and winter or kasinawan. An example of these is the Palamal or the "Worship of the Fire God".
According to a Japanese document, several rituals are associated with the main staples, millet
Millet
The millets are a group of small-seeded species of cereal crops or grains, widely grown around the world for food and fodder. They do not form a taxonomic group, but rather a functional or agronomic one. Their essential similarities are that they are small-seeded grasses grown in difficult...
or havay and dry rice or tipus. These included the "Millet Sowing Ritual", "Fishing Ritual", "Collecting Ritual", "Harvest Ritual", and "Storing Ritual", which are all based on the growth of the millet.
Christianity
Another religion practiced by some Sakizaya is ChristianityChristianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
. The religion first arrived in Formosa during the age of European colonization. Its formal arrival occurred in 1627, during the arrival of Georgius Candidius, the first ordained minister ever to set foot on the island. According to this missionary, the conversion of the natives was effective. The conversion was so successful that native clergymen soon became a necessity. This success, however, was short-lived since Christians faced persecution after the arrival of the Chinese
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
. It was not until late in the 20th century when this religion began to achieve its resurgence.
Currently, almost 70 percent of Taiwanese Aborigines practice Christianity, though the exact number of Sakizaya practicing this religion is uncertain. The religion has become effective in maintaining social unity, which has traditionally been held by traditional practices.
Society and culture
Only a few aspects of the Sakizaya's society and culture have been revealed. It is known that they have a matrilinear society. Women often have the authority in the household.In terms of survival, fishing
Fishing
Fishing is the activity of trying to catch wild fish. Fish are normally caught in the wild. Techniques for catching fish include hand gathering, spearing, netting, angling and trapping....
and hunting
Hunting
Hunting is the practice of pursuing any living thing, usually wildlife, for food, recreation, or trade. In present-day use, the term refers to lawful hunting, as distinguished from poaching, which is the killing, trapping or capture of the hunted species contrary to applicable law...
are important. Rice
Rice
Rice is the seed of the monocot plants Oryza sativa or Oryza glaberrima . As a cereal grain, it is the most important staple food for a large part of the world's human population, especially in East Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, the Middle East, and the West Indies...
cultivation also forms a significant aspect of their food production. This practice is thought to have been acquired through the Kavalan. Millet
Millet
The millets are a group of small-seeded species of cereal crops or grains, widely grown around the world for food and fodder. They do not form a taxonomic group, but rather a functional or agronomic one. Their essential similarities are that they are small-seeded grasses grown in difficult...
is also important not only as a food source but also as way in determining the occasions of various festivals.
Golden robes are usually worn by important tribal leaders during special celebrations. Headhunting
Headhunting
Headhunting is the practice of taking a person's head after killing them. Headhunting was practised in historic times in parts of China, India, Nigeria, Nuristan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Borneo, Indonesia, the Philippines, Taiwan, Japan, Micronesia, Melanesia, New Zealand, and the Amazon Basin, as...
was once prevalent but has now fallen out of practice.
Currently, the culture of the Sakizaya is under threat due to the small but steady urbanization
Urbanization
Urbanization, urbanisation or urban drift is the physical growth of urban areas as a result of global change. The United Nations projected that half of the world's population would live in urban areas at the end of 2008....
of Sakizaya youth. Efforts to preserve their culture have been initiated by the government, which believes this could be beneficial to ecotourism
Ecotourism
Ecotourism is a form of tourism visiting fragile, pristine, and usually protected areas, intended as a low impact and often small scale alternative to standard commercial tourism...
.