Sakizaya in Taiwan
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| People Name: | Sakizaya |
| Country: | Taiwan |
| 10/40 Window: | Yes |
| Population: | 900 |
| World Population: | 900 |
| Primary Language: | Sakizaya |
| Primary Religion: | Christianity |
| Christian Adherents: | 82.00 % |
| Evangelicals: | 2.00 % |
| Scripture: | Unspecified |
| Ministry Resources: | No |
| Jesus Film: | No |
| Audio Recordings: | No |
| People Cluster: | Taiwan Indigenous |
| Affinity Bloc: | East Asian Peoples |
| Progress Level: |
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Introduction / History
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.
What Are Their Lives Like?
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.
What Are Their Beliefs?
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.
What Are Their Needs?
The Sakizaya people need to put their identity in Christ more than their ethnicity or culture.
Prayer Points
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.