In the 18th century, as the Han people developed toward the shallow mountain area in the western plain, and migrated to Puli in Nantou of the plains indigenous peoples (Taukat, Pazeh, Papora, and Babuza) in western Taiwan, the Atayal moved from the upstream Beigang River in Ren’ai Township of Nantou County toward the Dajia River to the mountain areas in Miaoli, Hsinchu, Taoyuan, Yilan, and New Taipei City to search for hunting grounds and farmlands. The Seqoleq believe that Ruiyan (Piasebukan) in Faxiang Village, Ren’ai Township, Nantou County, was the origin, while the Tseole reckon that the Dabajian Mountain (Papakwaqa) in Wufeng Township, Hsinchu County was the origin of the ethnicity. In fact, the two Atayal subgroups have different views about this rock cracking legend. Then, they migrated to the places where different tribes settle. The latter mostly settle in Wufeng and Jianshi Townships in Hsinchu County, Tai’an Township of Miaoli County, Heping District in Taichung City, Ren’ai Township of Nantou County, and Datong and Nan’ao Townships of Yilan County.Īccording to the Atayal legend, the Atayal originated from a rock cracking where their ancestors (a male and a female) were born. The former mainly settle in Wulai (Ulay) District of New Taipei City, Fuxing (Pyasan) District of Taoyuan City, Jianshi Township of Hsinchu County, and Heping District of Taichung City. According to the Atayal language, “Atayal” means people, real people, or kinspeople, including the Seqoleq and Tseole subgroups.

As the most widespread ethnic group in Taiwan, the Atayal are distributed in the mountainous areas in central and northern Taiwan, including the mountain townships and towns in the following seven counties and cities: New Taipei City, Taoyuan City, Hsinchu County, Miaoli County, Taichung City, Nantou County, and Yilan County.

Toem allang language