Anonymous

“ That the Bunun and the Yami have only 53 and 1.3 per 1,000 people respectively is due to the fact that educational facilities for both tribes were provided only this year (1924) .
With the remarkable increase of the educational establishments and the activities of the selfgoverning bodies, the use of the Japanese language is expected to become rapidly widespread.
Savings of the aborigines.—It is noticeable that the savage people are becoming more and more provident and thrifty as they are becoming enlightened. ”

“ The only savages still inhabiting the plains are known as Pepo-huan (平捕藩) —Level Plain Dwellers—, living on the eastern coast of the island, and generally engaged in husbandry and kindred occupations. These are the only ones on whom public taxes are imposed, as will presently be seen.
Tribal Divisions
Ethnologically, the Formosan savages are supposed to belong to the Malay race, as do the aboriginal inhabitants of the South Sea Islands, and their physical characteristics, customs, and manners are quite different from those of the Hans, who have immigrated from the continent of China. ”

“ Sugar-cane and Banana cultivation.—Sugar-cane cultivation, which is a profitable though simple husbandry, is another promising industry suitable for the aborigines. But, it cannot be encouraged in localities too far from the sugar factories, upon whose demand it entirely depends. Where sugarcane is in good demand, the savages are very eager to grow it. ”

“ An occasion for such sanguinary expeditions may be, with the Taiyal, any one of the following:—
To celebrate the "coming of age" of a youth.To celebrate the decision of a dispute.To dispel suspicion, or to clear away a false charge.To win the favour of a maiden over rival suitors.
To exorcise a prevalent disease.
To avert an evil omen.
To display bravery.
Or sometimes a man who is in domestic difficulties, will give vent to his wrath at the expense of an innocent stranger's head. ”

“ LAKE CANDIDIUS SAVAGES.
The Savage Tribes of Formosa
The Formosan aborigines formerly inhabited the champaign districts of the island, but towards the end of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) , they began to be forced to retreat into the mountains by the ever-increasing immigrants from China, and now they dwell far up in the mountain fastnesses, out of the reach of lowlanders. Most of them lead primitive lives, untouched by the light of modern civilization. ”

“ Sometimes picked companies, composed of chiefs and prominent men from different tribes, are sent on a tour through the island, or even to the leading cities of Japan, so that their own observations of civilized life may bring them to a realization of their barbaric state and lead them to desire an improvement in their mode of living. ”

“ The tribes having been generally quiet up to 1918, considerable progress was made in the work of development, but as agitation roused by the punitive expeditions was not entirely tranquillized, reckless savages occasionally rose in revolt, and set back the work initiated for their own welfare. ”

“ Encouraged by this, the Government assiduously endeavoured to help them to be independent and self–supporting people. For this purpose, such works as were considered most suitable for them during the transition period were chosen for their employment. ”

“ Also the shortage of food stuffs resulting from restricted hunting will be supplied by this means. Since 1921, several stock farms have been established in different parts of the savage districts, where official guidance and encouragement have obtained very gratifying results.
There are now many animals employed by the aborigines as beasts of burden or in ploughing and efforts are being made to breed them to meet the demands even from the people of the plains. ”

“ With this object in view, the products of such industries as are officially encouraged are bought at good prices, but things such as game, the pursuit of which is incentive to brutal temper, are bought at low prices, in order that they may tend to engage in peaceful work, attracted by its profitableness. ”

“ Out of the whole population of 130,000, more than 10,000 are under instruction. Some who finish the courses in these schools enter higher institutions, or are appointed civil servants or policemen after acquiring special training or experience. ”