ABSTRACT
The Puyuma, consisting of two sub-groups, i.e. the Katipul and the Puyuma proper, inhabit the Taitung plain in the south-east of the island of Taiwan, formerly known in Western literature under the name Formosa. They are one of its aboriginal groups, which also include the Atayal, Saisiat, Bunun, Tsou, Rukai, Paiwan, Amis and Yami (some of these groups including named sub-groups). The aboriginal inhabitants of the island represent 1.7 per cent of the total population.They all speak Austronesian languages.
