Orchid Island & Yami culture

The Yami tribe dwells on Lanyu Island off-shore of Taitung County. The Yami tribesmen call themselves “Tao”, meaning “people”. Total population in Taiwan is around 3,000 persons.

Among all indigenous tribes in Taiwan, Tao people in Lanyu are the only ocean indigenous group as well as a single regional one. Several thousand years ago, Tao ancestors migrated from Batanes Islands on the north of Philippine to settle down in Lanyu, so they had close connection with Ivatan tribe on Batanes Islands. Residents and local governments on both sides used to have formal visits, and still have interactions now. Different from other indigenous tribes, Tao people are kindhearted, uphold freedom and equality, and have no hierarchical system. There is no one superior or inferior, for everyone without exception is equal.

The valuable Tao culture is what Tao people are proud of. In order to pass down the unique ocean cultures and traditional arts in Lanyu to future generations.

Besides full of plentiful natural landscape resources, Lanyu features special folk ceremonies and festivals. “Flying fish,” “Dod worship,” and “Millet harvest” festivals are the 3 most important ones for Tao people, each held annually with grand celebration activities. Moreover, the flying fish culture developed from catching flying fish becomes a very attractive cultural tourism industry, alluring a large number of visitors to pay a visit every year, especially after the help from the government to mobilize many resources for bolstering local tourism.