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.
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.
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.
The Sakizaya people need to put their identity in Christ more than their ethnicity or culture.
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.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sakizaya_people
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 |
