Siraya People Officially Recognized as Taiwan's 17th Indigenous Group! Lai Jui-long Visits Neimen Community: Deepening Cultural Revitalization, Making Kaohsiung More Diverse and Vibrant

The Executive Yuan officially announced today (30) the recognition of the Siraya people, making them Taiwan's 17th statutory Indigenous group. Lai Jui-long, a legislator and Kaohsiung mayoral candidate, stated that this is a significant achievement won through years of persistent effort by the Siraya people, and an important milestone in Taiwan's realization of ethnic justice. He emphasized that official recognition is merely the starting point for cultural revitalization, and that future efforts must deepen the preservation of native languages, rituals, and settlement culture, ensuring that multiculturalism becomes Kaohsiung's most valuable urban asset.

Experiencing Siraya Language and Traditional Culture: Bridging Language Education and Local Revitalization to Sustain Cultural Heritage

Lai Jui-long today released a video documenting his recent visit with legislator Wu Li-hua to the Muzha area of Neimen, Kaohsiung. Under the guidance of Siraya cultural worker Li Hui-chi, he experienced Siraya culture firsthand—wearing a floral wreath woven from Tarau (foxtail millet), a traditional crop, and learning to greet community members in the native language with 'Mariyang wagi,' feeling the living vitality of linguistic and cultural transmission.

During the visit, Lai tasted tea, mochi, and specialty dishes made from Tarau, participated in traditional wreath weaving, and toured the community’s cultural corridor, learning about the community's recent efforts in reviving traditional crops, revitalizing their native language, and preserving historical culture.

Lai stated that the official recognition of the Siraya people affirms their history and culture, symbolizing a new phase in cultural transmission. Beyond safeguarding ethnic rights, the government should continue investing in native language education, cultural preservation, and settlement development, ensuring traditional culture is truly integrated into daily life and passed down across generations.

He noted that during his previous tenure as Director-General of the Kaohsiung Tourism Bureau and Director of the News Department, he deeply recognized multiculturalism as a key feature of Kaohsiung. Moving forward, he aims to integrate native language education, community walking tours, and local revitalization initiatives to encourage more youth to engage with Indigenous communities and understand their cultures, allowing Indigenous traditions to take deeper root and drive local development.

Lai emphasized that the history of every ethnic group is a shared memory of the city, and Indigenous cultures are a vital asset for Kaohsiung. He pledged to continue collaborating with community partners to advance cultural preservation and local revitalization, enabling Kaohsiung to present a more diverse and inclusive cultural identity to the world.

Siraya cultural worker Li Hui-chi also expressed gratitude to all who have long supported the community's cultural development. She hopes to further deepen cultural revitalization efforts following official recognition and looks forward to more young people learning about and inheriting the Siraya people's precious history and culture.