Thao, Sau in Taiwan

Introduction / History

The Thao people (also spelled Tho) are one of Taiwan’s smallest officially recognized indigenous groups, numbering around 818 individuals as of 2020. They reside primarily in Ita Thao Village near Sun Moon Lake in Nantou County. Their language, Thao, is a Northern Formosan language within the Austronesian family. It is nearly extinct, spoken only by a few elders, and has been heavily influenced by Mandarin and Bunun languages due to intermarriage and cultural exchange.According to oral tradition, the Thao migrated from the Chiayi region and Alishan Mountains, eventually settling around Sun Moon Lake after following a mystical white deer. This location became their spiritual homeland, especially Lalu Island, which is considered sacred.The Thao were mistakenly classified as part of the Tsou ethnic group until 2001, when they gained official recognition as Taiwan’s tenth indigenous group.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Traditionally, the Thao were hunters, fishers, and farmers, cultivating rice, sweet potatoes, taro, and wild greens. Fishing in Sun Moon Lake was especially important, and preserved fish became a local specialty. Today, most Thao people are engaged in the tourism and hospitality industry, serving visitors to Sun Moon Lake.Their homes have evolved from bamboo and thatch structures to modern concrete buildings, but ancestral rituals still accompany the construction of new homes. The ulalaluan, or ancestral spirit basket, is placed in homes to invite ancestral spirits to dwell with the family.Thao society is patrilineal, with clans playing key roles in marriage and ritual life. While endogamy was once common, intermarriage with other ethnic groups has increased in recent decades.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The Thao practice a blend of animism and ancestral worship, with rituals deeply tied to seasonal cycles and agricultural life. Their most sacred ceremony is the Lus’An (Ancestral Ritual) held in August, during which a temporary shrine is built to house ancestral spirits. Other important rituals include the Sowing Ritual in March and the Hunting Ritual in July, where offerings such as white mochi cakes shaped like eels are made to honor nature and ancestral traditions.Each family maintains a basket of ancestral spirits in their home, symbolizing the presence of forebears. Rituals often involve singing, dancing, and strict gender roles, with women excluded from certain sacred spaces during menstruation or pregnancy.

What Are Their Needs?

Their language is nearly extinct, and traditional practices are at risk due to modernization and assimilation. Reliance on tourism makes them susceptible to economic downturns and competition from larger commercial entities. Historical land expropriation and urban development have reduced their traditional territory, leading to displacement and loss of cultural sites.While some Thao have been exposed to Christianity, many still follow traditional beliefs. There is a need for culturally sensitive discipleship and community-based ministry efforts.

Prayer Points

Ask God to provide sustainable livelihoods beyond tourism and protect their land rights.Spiritual Awakening:Pray that the Thao people would encounter the love of Christ and see Him as the fulfillment of their ancestral hopes.Lift up local believers and missionaries working among the Thao. Pray for deep, culturally relevant discipleship that honors their identity while pointing to Jesus and helping them to spread his name.

Text Source:   Joshua Project