Recognized Amis
Atayal
Bunun
Hla'alua
Kavalan
Kanakanavu
Paiwan
Puyuma
Rukai
Saisiyat
Sakizaya
Seediq
Tao
Thao
Tsou
Truku
Unrecognized Babuza
Basay
Hoanya
Ketagalan
Luilang
Pazeh/Kaxabu
Papora
Qauqaut
Siraya
Taokas
Trobiawan
Taiwanese aborigines (Chinese: 臺灣; pinyin: Táiwān yuánzhùmín; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Tâi-ôan gôan-chū-bîn; literally: "Taiwanese original inhabitants") is the term commonly applied to the indigenous peoples of Taiwan, who number more than 530,000 and constitute nearly 2.3% of the island's population. Recent research suggests their ancestors may have been living on Taiwan for approximately 8,000 years in relative isolation before a major Han immigration began in the 17th century. Taiwanese aborigines are Austronesian peoples, with linguistic and genetic ties to other Austronesian and also Japanese ethnic groups, which includes those of the Philippines, Malaysia, China, Japan, Madagascar and Oceania. The issue of an ethnic identity unconnected to the Asian mainland has become one thread in the discourse regarding the political status of Taiwan.