Taiwan's indigenous people

Taiwan's indigenous people belong to the Austronesian and are located in the northern part of this widespread language family.At present, there are 13 tribes officially recognized, including the Ami, Atayal, Paiwan, Bunun, Puyuma, Tsou, Rukai, Saisiyat, Yami, Thao, Kavalan, Truku, and the Sakizaya. Altogether, the total population comprises more than 470,000 people.

Besides the officially recognized 13 tribes, an additional, more complex group, the Pingpu tribe, early on inhabited Taiwan's flatland and mountainous regions. However, the culture and language have almost completely vanished. Another group was officially relocated to be part of the Atayal tribe. At present, some members of the Pingpu tribe are seeking to have their original identity recognized.