The plains indigenous groups constitute a significant component of the Austronesian Linguistic Family. Their ancestral territory was vast, encompassing the Lanyang Plain, Taipei Basin, and North Coast in the north, and extending along the western coastal plains down to the Tainan, Kaohsiung, and Pingtung areas. Because of their coastal location, the plains indigenous groups historically had early contact with other Asian Austronesian groups by boat.
Nonetheless, since Taiwan entered the global stage in the 17th century, the plains indigenous groups have been significantly affected by the major political, economic, linguistic, and cultural upheavals brought about by large-scale immigration. During the Qing and Japanese colonial periods, most plains indigenous groups (civilized indigenous peoples) were put under general administration and law because they were believed to have been “Sinicized a century ago.” Nevertheless, census data from the early 20th century indicated that the plains indigenous groups retained a substantial population and unique geographic distribution, specifically across the Lanyang Plain, Puli in Central Taiwan, and other near-mountain regions in the south.
Across several centuries of historical shifts and enduring cultural shock, the plains indigenous groups have perpetually confronted rigorous challenges regarding their ethnic identity. Since the 1980s, plains indigenous communities have actively joined cultural revitalization and identity movements to assert their subjectivity and contributions to Taiwan’s history and culture.
This extended campaign for recognition culminated in a crucial landmark: Taiwan promulgated the “Plains Indigenous Peoples Status Act” on October 23, 2025. The enactment of this legislation officially recognizes the ethnic identity of the plains indigenous groups, constituting a profoundly historic step forward in Taiwan’s pursuit of historical and transitional justice for all indigenous peoples. Today, the plains indigenous groups continue efforts in language revival, ritual restoration, and historical education to pass down their rich and unique culture, forming a vital foundation of Taiwan’s cultural diversity.
Competition Event and Participants
- Traditional Archery: Individual Event－Open Men’s Division (2 Participants)
- Traditional Music and Dance: Group Event－Open Mixed Division (18 Participants)
- Traditional Tug-of-War: Group Event－Open Mixed Division (19 Participants)
- Traditional Wrestling: Individual Event－Men’s Division 70kg and Above (1 Participant)
- Traditional Road Running: Individual Event－Open Men’s Division (2 Participants)
- Weight Carrying: Group Event－Open Mixed Division (4 Participants)