Siraya Recognized as Taiwan’s 17th Indigenous Group After Decades of Revival
The Siraya people have officially regained their Indigenous status in Taiwan, becoming the first plains tribe recognized under new legislation following a 30-year cultural and legal struggle.
- The Siraya were officially recognized as Taiwan’s 17th Indigenous group on July 30.
- They are the first plains tribe to gain status under the 2025 Plains Indigenous Peoples Status Act.
- The Talavan family spent three generations reviving the Sinckan language and culture.
- A 2022 Constitutional Court ruling was pivotal in recognizing Pingpu Indigenous rights.
- Other plains tribes are now pursuing similar official recognition.
The Siraya people were officially recognized as Taiwan’s 17th Indigenous group on July 30, marking a historic milestone for the community. They are the first plains tribe to obtain Indigenous status following the passage of the Plains Indigenous Peoples Status Act in October 2025.
This recognition concludes more than three decades of efforts to revive the Siraya language and culture, which had nearly vanished due centuries of forced assimilation under Qing, Japanese, and Kuomintang rule. Historically categorized as "mature" or plains Indigenous peoples, the Siraya were excluded from official Indigenous registration for years, unlike their mountain-dwelling counterparts.
The path to recognition was paved by a 2022 Constitutional Court ruling that affirmed the rights of Pingpu (plains) peoples. This legal victory led to the 2025 legislation allowing plains tribes to apply for official status.
Central to this revival is the Talavan family, who have dedicated three generations to preserving Siraya heritage. Cheng-hiong Talavan founded the Tainan Pepo Siraya Culture Association in 1999 to document oral history and relics. His daughter Uma Talavan and her husband Edgar Macapili successfully decoded the Sinckan language by translating a Dutch missionary’s version of the Gospel of St. Matthew, recovering approximately 4,000 vocabulary words.
The family has since produced educational materials, including children’s books and songs, to teach the younger generation. The third generation continues this work, focusing on cultural revitalization and public awareness.
Activists emphasize that this recognition is not about securing benefits or creating division, but about restoring historical truth. "This is not for any benefits, nor is it for any label — it is simply because this has always been my name," one family member stated regarding the identity restoration.
The Siraya are now joined by other Pingpu groups—including the Kavalan, Ketagalan, and Taokas—who are currently working toward similar official recognition.
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