Sakizaya in Taiwan

The Sakizaya have only been reported in Taiwan
Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The Sakizaya are an indigenous people in Taiwan. They are defined by their language, Sakizaya, but they blend in with other Taiwanese ethnic groups, especially the Amis. Their population is small.

We don’t know for sure when their ancestors arrived in Taiwan. It could have been as far back as 15,000 years, but that is unlikely.

In 1878, the Chinese started to farm in Taiwan, and their troops were rude to the local Sakizaya people. The conflict became violent, and many were killed on both sides. The Sakizaya hid their identity for 100 years to avoid retribution. In 2007 the Sakizaya had a time of cultural revitalization in an attempt to distinguish themselves from other indigenous peoples of Taiwan.


What Are Their Lives Like?

They have traditionally been rice farmers who supplemented their diet by fishing. Today they are becoming more urbanized. This is affecting the younger generation more than the elders.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Their traditional beliefs are pantheistic; spiritual powers are everywhere. They have gods of all beings, gods for protection, nature spirits and ancestral spirits. Christianity has been with them since the Spanish and Dutch brought it in the 1600s. Though they are Christianized, the Sakizaya are tempted to return to their ancient religious practices so they can maintain their culture.


What Are Their Needs?

The Sakizaya people need to put their identity in Christ more than their ethnicity or culture.


Prayer Points

Pray for vibrant Taiwanese Christian believers to disciple the Sakizaya people in the ways of the only savior.

Pray for a spiritual hunger that will rise above all other needs.

Pray for Christian believers to produce culturally appropriate Christian music for the Sakizaya. May it help them learn scriptural truths.


Scripture Prayers for the Sakizaya in Taiwan.


References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sakizaya_people#:~:text=The%20Sakizaya%20(native%20name%3A%20Sakuzaya,where%20their%20culture%20is%20centered.

https://www.cip.gov.tw/en/tribe/grid-list/E6314988BF2C0DC6D0636733C6861689/info.html?cumid=D0636733C6861689

https://ketagalanmedia.com/2018/10/05/century-hiding-sakizaya-people-taiwan/


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Sakizaya
People Name in Country Sakizaya
Alternate Names Nataoran Ami
Population this Country 900
Population all Countries 900
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 3
Unreached No
Frontier People Group No
Pioneer Workers Needed
People ID 10296
ROP3 Code 100297
ROP25 Code 300280
ROP25 Name Ami (Amis)
Country Taiwan
Region Asia, Northeast
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Hualien county: north of Fenglin.   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Country Taiwan
Region Asia, Northeast
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Hualien county: north of Fenglin..   Source:  Ethnologue 2016

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Primary Religion: Christianity
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 2.00 %)
82.00 %
Ethnic Religions
18.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Sakizaya (900 speakers)
Language Code szy   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Unknown
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Sakizaya (900 speakers)
Language Code szy   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Sakizaya

Primary Language:  Sakizaya

Bible Translation Status:  Unspecified

Resource Type Resource Name Source
None reported  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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