List of indigenous peoples of Taiwan


Traditionally, the Taiwanese indigenous peoples are usually classified into two groups by their places of residence. Languages and cultures of aboriginal tribes were recorded by the government of Dutch Formosa, Spanish Formosa and the Qing Empire.
NameChineseTaiwaneseHakkaJapanese
Mountains indigenous peoplesKo-soaⁿ-cho̍kKô-sân-chhu̍k高砂族（たかさごぞく, Takasago-zoku）
Plains indigenous peoplesPêⁿ-po͘-cho̍kPhìn-phû-chhu̍k平埔族（へいほぞく, Heiho-zoku）

Researches on ethnic groups of Taiwanese indigenous peoples started in late 19th century, when Taiwan was under Japanese rule. The Government of Taiwan conducted large amount of researches and further distinguished the ethnic groups of Taiwanese indigenous peoples by linguistics. After the research, the household registration records remarks of "mountains/plains indigenous peoples". The governmental statistics also listed 9 recognized subgroups under mountains indigenous peoples. However, after World War II, the government refused to recognize the plains indigenous peoples.
The following is a list of classifications through Japanese and post World War II. Note that the Japanese names in parentheses does not exist in pre-World War II Japanese demographic researches.

Mountains indigenous peoples

The Taiwanese government officially recognises 16 ethnic groups of mountains indigenous peoples.
NameFormosan
native name		Chinese
Japanese
Notes
AmisPangcah, 'Amis阿美族アミ族、阿眉族Recognized since Japanese era
AtayalTayal, Tayan泰雅族タイヤル族、大么族Recognized since Japanese era
BununBunun布農族ブヌン族、ヴォヌム族、武崙族Recognized since Japanese era
KanakanavuKanakanavu卡那卡那富族カナカナブ族Classified as Tsou, recognized since 2014
KavalanKebalan, Kbaran噶瑪蘭族、加禮宛族カバラン族Classified as Amis, recognized since 2002
PaiwanPayuan排灣族パイワン族Recognized since Japanese era
PuyumaPinuyumayan卑南族、比努優瑪樣族プユマ族、彪馬族Recognized since Japanese era
RukaiDrekay魯凱族ルカイ族、ツァリセン族Recognized since Japanese era
SaaroaHla'alua拉阿魯哇族サアロア族、四社生蕃Classified as Tsou, recognized since 2014
SaisiyatSay-Siyat賽夏族、獅設族サイシャット族Recognized since Japanese era
SakizayaSakizaya撒奇萊雅族、奇萊族（サキザヤ族）Classified as Amis, recognized since 2007
SeediqSeediq賽德克族セデック族、紗績族Classified as Atayal, recognized since 2008
TarokoTruku太魯閣族（タロコ族）Classified as Atayal, recognized since 2004
ThaoThao, Ngan邵族、水沙連族サオ族Classified as Tsou, recognized since 2001
TsouCou鄒族、曹族ツォウ族、新高族Recognized since Japanese era
YamiTao達悟族、雅美族ヤミ族Recognized since Japanese era

Kavalan and Thao are disputed to be part of mountains or plains indigenous peoples.

Plains indigenous peoples

Cultures of the plains indigenous peoples have undergone heavy Sinicization. This increases the difficulty in identifying ethnic groups.
NameFormosan
native name		Chinese
Japanese
Notes
ArikunArikun阿立昆族アリクン族Sometimes classified as Hoanya
BabuzaBabuza, Poavasa貓霧拺族、巴布薩族バブザ族
BasayBasay, Basai巴賽族、馬塞族（バサイ族）Sometimes classified as Ketagalan
HoanyaHoanya洪雅族、和安雅族、荷安耶族ホアニヤ族Sometimes split into Lloa and Arikun
KaxabuKaxabu, Kahapu噶哈巫族（カハブ族）Sometimes classified as Pazeh. In revitalization.
KetagalanKetagalan凱達格蘭族ケタガラン族
KulonKulon龜崙族（クーロン族）
LloaLloa羅亞族、魯羅阿族ロッア族Sometimes classified Hoanya
LuilangLuilang雷朗族ルイラン族Sometimes classified as Ketagalan
MakataoMakatao, Tao馬卡道族マカット族、タッオ族Sometimes classified as Siraya. Recognized in Pingtung. In revitalization.
PaporaPapora, Vupuran拍瀑拉族、巴布拉族、巴波拉族パポラ族
PazehPazéh, Pazih巴宰族、巴則海族、拍宰海族パゼッヘ族In revitalization.
QauqautQauqaut猴猴族
SirayaSiraya西拉雅族、希萊耶族シラヤ族Recognized in Tainan and Fuli. In revitalization.
TaivoanTaivoan, Taivuan大武壠族、大滿族（タイボアン族）Sometimes classified as Siraya. Recognized in Fuli. In revitalization.
TaokasTaokas道卡斯族、斗葛族、大甲族タオカス族In revitalization.
FavorlangFavorlang, Vavorolang虎尾壟族、費佛朗族、華武壟族、法波蘭族、法佛朗族ファボラン族
TrobiawanTrobiawan, TuRbuan哆囉美遠族、哆囉布安族Sometimes classified as Ketagalan