In case you missed it, an indigenous Taiwanese group just set on a historic voyage to Batanes – and it wasn’t through any modern vessel. The Tao people of Taiwan successfully paddled miles across the sea using a traditional hand-built wooden canoe, reviving a centuries-old route between the two countries and rekindling a cultural connection between the two tribes. Why does this historic voyage matter?

A long-lost cultural connection

For hundreds of years, the Tao people of Taiwan and the Ivatans of Batanes sailed the seas for trade: from gold and cowhide to fish hooks and produce. However, a conflict broke out about 300 years ago, turning the once-vibrant route into a dormant one. This epic journey to the Philippines is the first time in centuries. It’s a historic revival of a long-lost cultural connection.

“With this project, we are re-establishing the sea route between Orchid Island and Batanes, allowing our cultures and languages to continue being passed on,” shared Maraos, an Orchid Island Tao and the chairperson of Taiwan’s Indigenous Peoples Cultural Foundation.

The voyage of the Tao people

The Tao people’s journey from Taiwan took about 24 hours via an ipanitika, a traditional handmade wooden canoe used for fishing. The specific vessel for this voyage was named Ovayan or “Golden Friendship.” It was crafted without nails and accommodates 20 passengers. Sixty Tao people participated in this project, taking turns rowing during the twenty-four-hour voyage.

Before the voyage, the Tao people also held a traditional launching ceremony. While wearing traditional garb, members of the group throw the canoe into the air, a ritual believed to ward off evil spirits before launching it into the sea.

The participants left Orchid Island on June 15, 2026, sailed 185 kilometers through the Bashi Channel, and successfully arrived in Batanes on June 16, 2026.

Who are the Tao people of Orchid Island in Taiwan?

The Tao people are an Austronesian ethnic group inhabiting the Orchid Island, also known as Lanyu Island, which is located about 90 kilometers off the southeastern coast of Taiwan. They’re previously called “Yami,” meaning “us” in Japanese. They are known for their rich maritime culture and ties with the Ivatans of Batanes.

How are the Tao people connected to the Ivatans of Batanes?

Did you know that “Tao” means “man” in the Tao people’s language? This alone shows proof of their ties with the Ivatans, who share the same language. One of the legends tells of a giant from Orchid Island who sailed southward to Batanes to trade with the local Ivatan people. Another theory suggests that their ancestors left Batanes 800 years ago and settled on Orchid Island.

But proof of their ties isn’t just in legends; there is linguistic, cultural, and archaeological evidence that both groups share a common origin. In fact, the Tao language is a member of the Batanic languages and belongs to the same group as the languages spoken by the Itbayat and Ivatans in Batanes.

Bridging the gap

Reviving the dormant route that once connected the Tao people with the Ivatans in Batanes is probably just the beginning of a rich friendship not only between the two indigenous groups of the two countries.

In the age where countries and cultures feel more divided than ever, these acts of community and revival of long-lost connections feel fresh, giving us a sense of hope. While both groups still have differences, recognizing they share the same roots and a simple rekindling of an old connection makes us feel that we aren’t so divided after all.

What do you think about this epic journey? Share in the comments below!

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