Amis Communities in Taiwan Celebrate Annual Harvest Festival with Thanksgiving and Cultural Pride

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TAIWAN – July 2026 — Throughout the month of July, Amis Indigenous communities across Taiwan gather to celebrate their annual Harvest Festival (Ilisin), the most important cultural and spiritual celebration of the Amis people. Held after the rice harvest, the festival is a joyful expression of gratitude for the gifts of creation, honoring God for a bountiful season while remembering the wisdom and legacy of their ancestors. Families, relatives, and entire villages reunite through traditional songs, dances, rituals, vibrant indigenous attire, and communal feasts, strengthening their identity and deepening the bonds that unite the community across generations.

For the Catholic Church in Taiwan, the Amis Harvest Festival is also a meaningful occasion to walk alongside Indigenous communities in celebrating the harmony of faith and culture. Many parishes with Indigenous faithful incorporate thanksgiving Eucharistic celebrations, blessings, and community gatherings into the festivities, expressing how the Gospel enriches and respects the cultural heritage of the Amis people. As the annual celebration continues, it stands as a powerful witness to the resilience of Taiwan's Indigenous communities, who faithfully preserve their traditions while passing on their history, values, and Christian faith to future generations.