Living in Urban Cities
Reasons Driving These Indigenous People to Move to Cities under Tremendous Pressure
Since 1960s, the phenomenon of “working in cities” has gone viral in indigenous communities, with lots of indigenous youngsters crowding into cities so as to make a living, leading to the emergence of “indigenous urbanization”. Therefore, we can see more and more indigenous people appear in cities.
Photo credit: ResearchGate
▲The diagram illustrates the Push-Pull Theory, which can be an explanation for indigenous
people emigrating to cities.
In the 1970s, a number of Amis people from Hualien and Taitung began to settle and reclaim the land in Xindian Township of Taipei County (now Xindian District of New Taipei City), forming what is now known as the Xizhou Tribe. They gradually came into contact with Han people, but also encountered numerous challenges and difficulties in cities.
Despite the increasing awareness of issues such as human rights and racial equality in recent years, young indigenous adults from rural areas still find themselves engaged in low-paid and unfavorable jobs due to the language barrier and persistent racism or hierarchy. They always have problems being promoted to managers or executives, rendering them relatively economically disadvantaged.
▲The previous Xizhou tribe has been destroyed.
Photo credit:FTV
▲ The new tribe location and buildings.
These situations are particularly prevalent among urban indigenous people who have prolonged interactions with Han people in their daily lives, where they may encounter such issues at any time.
The transition from rural to urban settings is undoubtedly a grueling process, testing not only the social adaptability of these migrant populations but also their resilience and perseverance.