Sakizaya people

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Sakuzaya Sakizaya (撒奇萊雅族)
Total population
est. 5,000–10,000.[1]
Regions with significant populations
Hualien, Keelung, Taoyuan, Taipei
Languages
Mandarin, Amis, Formosan languages
Religions
Ancestor Worship, Animism, Christianity
Related ethnic groups
Amis, Kavalan, other Taiwanese aborigines

The Sakizaya (Native name: Sakuzaya, literally "real man"; traditional Chinese: 撒奇萊雅族; Hanyu Pinyin: Sāqíláiyǎ; Tongyong Pinyin: Sacíláiyǎ; occasionally Sakiraya or Sakidaya) are Taiwanese Aborigines with a population of approximately 5,000–10,000. They primarily live in the counties of Keelung, Taoyuan, and Taipei, as well as on Hualien (formerly known as Chilai or Kiray), where their culture is centered.

The Sakizaya are an Austronesian people, mostly related to other Taiwanese Aborigines but also have cultural, linguistic, and genetic ties to other Austronesian ethnic groups, such as those from the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Madagascar, and Oceania. Though their language is their most defining feature, it has not been recognized as a "true language" but simply a dialect of Amis, even though both languages are not grammatically similar.

Most Sakizaya practice ancestor worship, which includes the worship of a pantheon of gods and ancestral spirits. Their society is mostly matrilinear, and women often have the authority. On January 17, 2007, the tribe satisfied the Taiwanese government's requirements for full tribal status. Prior to this, the tribe was previously classified as Amis, the tribe where they "hid" after they, and their Kavalan allies, fought a devastating battle against Qing invaders during the late 19th century.

Contents 1 History 1.1 Early history 1.2 Colonial era 1.3 Modern times 2 Language 3 Religion 3.1 Ancestor worship/animism 3.1.1 Dito 3.1.2 Gods and rituals 3.2 Christianity 4 Society and culture 4.1 Age-class systems 5 References

[edit] History

Due to their intermingling within other tribes, the original genetic identity of the Sakizaya is uncertain. According to one study, they are intimately related to the Northern and Middle Amis.^[2] They also seem to share certain genetic traits with other tribal groups, as well as with the Taiwanese Han,^[2] though this may have been a result of intermarriage.^[2] The C2 and C3 haplogroups are absent in their population.^[2]

[edit] Early history

Much of the history of the Sakizaya is still unknown. It is unclear when the Sakizaya, or their ancestors, first arrived in Taiwan. According to some experts, the first human inhabitants of the island arrived 15,000 years ago and were dependent on marine life for survival.^[3] Neolithic peoples began arriving 6,000 years ago, which allowed the advent of agriculture, domestic animals, polished stone adzes, and pottery.^[3] The presence of these adzes imply a relation with the Penghu islands, where these objects are common.^[3]

[edit] Colonial era

The first contact with the tribe outside of Formosa occurred during the 17th century, when the Dutch and the Spanish arrived.^[4] It was during this time when a 1636 Spanish document was written about the name and activities of the people.^[5] Since then, there were not any reports of external contact until the 19th century.

Unlike earlier ones, 19th century contacts with the tribe were not peaceful. During the "Mudan Incident",^[6] the Japanese sent 3,600 troops in 1874 to punish the “vicious, violent and cruel” tribes,^[6] accusing them of murdering their shipwrecked sailors.^[5] This event turned out to be "brutal" which was due to the Japanese policy to "exterminate" the tribes.^[6]

In 1878, the Sakizaya, and their Kavalan allies, fought a devastating battle against Qing invaders.^[7] This event ended in disaster for the both tribes causing many of their tribesmen to be slaughtered in an event called the "Takobowan Incident"^[4] (also known as the “Galeewan Incident”^[8] or “Kalyawan Battle”)^[2]. Others were displaced by Han settlers.^[8] The remaining Sakizaya, meanwhile, were forced to blend with other tribes, such as the Ami, with the intention of protecting their identity.^[1]

When the Japanese conquered Taiwan in 1895, anthropologists classified the tribe as a sub-group of the Ami.^[9] The tribe, however, discreetly maintained their own culture and language which continued during the next century.^[1]

[edit] Modern times

In 2004, the tribe presented a petition for official tribal status to the Council of Indigenous Peoples based on historical, linguistic and cultural data.^[10] This was soon officially filed on October 14, 2005.^[11] Eventually, the petition was approved on January 17, 2007, recognizing them as a tribal group.^[10][12]

Like other Taiwanese Aborigines, the Sakizaya face contemporary social and economic challenges.^[13] These include urbanization of the youth, a phenomenon that may affect their culture.^[14]

[edit] Language

The Sakizaya speaks a language classified as a dialect of Nataoran Amis,^[15][16] a Formosan language that belongs to the Austronesian language family.^[15] However, the National Chengchi University, has stated that it remains 60–70 percent different from the Amis language despite the two groups living together.^[5] Currently, there are about 2,000 speakers of the language.^[5]

The tribe also speaks several other languages. These include languages spoken by the tribes where they have hidden such as Amis,^[5] and also Mandarin, the official language of the country.^[17]

[edit] Religion

The Sakizaya practice a variety of religions. These include traditional beliefs that mixes aspects of Ancestor Worship and Animism,^[18] Some may also practice Christianity.^[19]

Currently, the traditional religious beliefs of the Sakizaya are currently experiencing external pressures since many of the tribesmen may have converted to Christianity.^[19] The threat is also heightened by the increasing importance of Christianity to the community.^[19]

[edit] Ancestor worship/animism

[edit] Dito

The tribe is known to practice ancestor worship.^[5] They believe on a pantheon of ancestral spirits and deities known as dito, similar to the kawas of the Amis,^[18] as well as the anito of the Filipinos. They are considered to be "fickle as the weather"^[18] so priests or mapalaway are necessary to communicate with them.^[18] They are also invisible to most people though they are known to wear red.^[18] Several beliefs are associated with these spirits, such as pregnancy and death.^[18] The homeland of the dito is Meilun Mountain in Hualien, which is also the place where the deceased pass through before finally resting in the sea.^[18]

[edit] Gods and rituals

The Sakizaya have several gods. A few examples include Malataw‧Otoki, the deity the spirit of the world, Olipong, the god that "drives away illnesses", and Talaman or Takonawan, the god of the poor.^[18] An individual's personal dito also become the god of death once they have passed away.^[18]

Rituals are practiced to appease the dito^[18] and often mimic rituals performed by other Austronesian peoples.^[20] The practice of these are dictated according to the seasons; spring or pasavaan, summer or ralod, fall or sadinsing, and winter or kasinawan.^[20] An example of these is the Palamal or the "Worship of the Fire God".^[4]

According to a Japanese document, several rituals are associated with the main staples, millet or havay and dry rice or tipus.^[20] These included the "Millet Sowing Ritual", "Fishing Ritual", "Collecting Ritual", "Harvest Ritual", and "Storing Ritual", which are all based on the growth of the millet.^[20]

[edit] Christianity

Another religion practiced by some Sakizaya is Christianity. The religion first arrived in Formosa during the age of European colonization. Its formal arrival occurred in 1627, during the arrival of Georgius Candidius, the first ordained minister ever to step foot on the island.^[21] According to this missionary, the conversion of the natives was effective.^[21] The conversion was so successful that native clergymen soon became a necessity.^[21] This success, however, was shortlived since Christians faced persecution after the arrival of the Chinese.^[21] It was not until late in the 20th century when this religion began to achieve its resurgence.^[19]

Currently, almost 70 percent of Taiwanese Aborigines practice Christianity,^[19] though the exact number of Sakizaya practicing this religion is uncertain. The religion has become effective in maintaining social unity,^[19] which has traditionally been held by traditional practices.

[edit] Society and culture

Only a few aspects of the Sakizaya's society and culture have been revealed. It is known that they have a matrilinear society. Women often have the authority in the household.^[14]

In terms of survival, fishing and hunting are important.^[14] Rice cultivation also forms a significant aspect of their food production. This practice is thought to have been acquired through the Kavalan.^[14] Millet is also important not only as a food source but also as way in determining the occasions of various festivals.^[14]

Golden robes are usually worn by important tribal leaders during special celebrations.^[4] Headhunting was once prevalent^[22] but has now fallen out of practice.^[23]

Currently, the culture of the Sakizaya is under threat due to the small but steady urbanization of Sakizaya youth.^[14] Efforts to preserve their culture have been initiated by the government,^[24] which believes this could be beneficial to ecotourism.^[24]

[edit] Age-class systems

According to Japanese researchers, Sakizaya men are divided into age-class systems, known as sral, where they would stay in about five years.^[14] Between infancy and 15 years of age, boys are classed into the child class or wawa.^[14] They would soon participate in a ritual known as Masatrot and be trained in a youth-house or talaon, where they would learn to obey orders as well as certain commands.^[14] Once they accomplished this, they would move to the preparatory youth class or kapah and stay there until they are 23 years of age, when they finally reach the superior class.^[14]

[edit] References

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