(Pas-ta'ai) ceremonies in Nanzhuang, Miaoli, Taiwan
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|
Total population | |
---|---|
(5,311 (2000)) | |
Regions with significant populations | |
Taiwan | |
Languages | |
Saisiyat, Mandarin Chinese | |
Religion | |
Animism, Christianity | |
Related ethnic groups | |
Taiwanese Aborigines |
The Saisiyat (Chinese: 賽夏; pinyin: Sàixià; "true people"), also spelled Saisiat are an indigenous people of Taiwan. In the year 2000 the Saisiyat numbered 5,311. This was approximately 1.3% of Taiwan's total indigenous population, making them one of the smallest aboriginal groups in that country. The Saisiyat inhabit western Taiwan, overlapping the border between Hsinchu County and Miaoli County. They are divided into the Northern Branch (Wufong in the mountainous Hsinchu area) and the Southern Branch (Nanya and Shitan in the highlands of Miaoli), each with its own dialect. Their language is also known as Saisiyat.
Saisiyat are sometimes rendered as Saiset, Seisirat, Saisett, Saisiat, Saisiett, Saisirat, Saisyet, Saisyett, Amutoura, or Bouiok.