Yami People, Lanyu Island Taiwan

[nenabunena]

excuse me? yami's are polynesian? they are austronesians! the ancestors of polynesians came from asia, from the same people, so why exactly are the yamis from the ancestral area, polynesians? if anything it should be the other way around! it's like saying brits are really americans because a wave of their people in the past migrated to america.

[tulano]

interesting, i was drawn here due to HLA links i found, thanks for the the segment.

[unknowndeoxys00]

The interviewer reminds me of John Lennon if he had an Irish accent. xD Anyway, I find this fascinating. I never really was aware of the Taiwanese aborigines before...anyone who moved south from there must have hit the Philippines. Their language sounds like a distant relative of a northern Philippine dialect in a way. Really interesting. :D

[nenabunena]

@unknowndeoxys00 apparently their language is classified as ivatan under the philippine language family

[nr94jenno]

the little pig *-* xD

[blackiebori]

Correction to 65bridges: The Yami (also called Tao) are NOT Polynesians. The Yami are Taiwanese Aborigines who are distinct from the mainland Taiwan aboriginals in that their language is closer to that of the Northern Philippine Ibatan languages. However, like Polynesians, their language (along with that of the mainland aboriginals) are Austronesian. Yami language is classified by most linguists under the Malayo-Polynesian phylum of the Austronesian language family.

[Mangkukutod]

These people are cousins of the Filipinos.

[blackiebori]

@Mangkukutod You are correct.

[pakarayan]

This is so much like Batanes on the northernmost part of the Philippines, the language I can relate in a way. The boat making is so much the Ivatan way. We trace our ancestry from the Lanyu people.

[Dinoblack]

Excellent documentry on how things are over in lanyu!

The women sholala, is the most intelligent, bright,beautiful, trustworthy, honest, loving person you will ever meet!

I know this because she is my best friend!

The Yami people in a whole are very warm hearted!

Support this island as much as you can!

Thank you!

[pakarayan]

Go tell that to the chinse government. Comments like yours spoils beuatiful posts like this.

[HARUKA0040]

Yami/Tao people are Pinoy actually.

[kamikuzukonran]

i read somewhere that this people are the ancestors of the indonesians,filipinos, and malaysians. the way they look,talk, and act I wouldnt doubt it lol

[HotKit]

This is beautiful, fascinating, and very informative. I'm adding it to my Favorites.

[Mohi]

man, that Yami old guy remains me of the old malay man who I use to walk with in the palm oil plantation for an evening stroll back in my village. The way he speaks, his hand gesture, his skin colour and his expression. Man by looking at this, I can feel that Asutronesian interconnectedness with the Yami tribe of Taiwan.

[babymuthasrgoincrazy]

stayed dere for a while, left a few weeks ago

amazing culture, people, landscape and sea, should be preserved

[anak1]

All Malayan, Micronesian, Melanesian and Polynesian peoples belong to the same common ancestors. The group is called Austronesian by anthropologists. Example of the similarities exist in that of the languages: "me": Ako (Filipino) = Aku (Indonesian), Ahau (Maori), A'u (Hawaiian). "you": Ikaw/Kayo (Filipino) -> Kowe (Javanese), Iko (Fijian), Koe (Maori), 'Oe (Hawaiian). "coconut": Niyog (Filipino), Niyuh (Balinese) -> Niu (Polynesian languages).

[anak1]

More examples: "fire" Apoy (Filipino), Api (Indonesian) -> Ahi (Maori, Hawaiian, Rapanui etc). "sun" Araw (Filipino) -> Allo (Toraja), Are (Madurese), Ra~ (Maori), La (Hawaiian), Ra'a (Rapanui). "two": Dalawa / Duha (Filipino), Dua (Indonesian) -> Rua (Maori, Fijian, Hawaiian). "five": Lima (Filipino) -> Lima (Indonesian, Maori, Fijian, Hawaiian, Rapanui). "six": Pito (Filipino), Pitu (Javanese, Toraja) -> Whitu (Maori), Vitu (Fijian), Fito (Malagasy), Hiku (Hawaiian).

[anak1]

Check out the "Austronesian languages" on Wikipedia.

[TonganSoIja63]

wow and "five" in (Tongan) is 'Nima'

[TonganSoIja63]

im replyin to a 1 year comment you made..lol aku' means 'me' in Tongan also.

[PrTyc1OMG]

MAN HONESTLY I WANNA KNOCK ALL 3 OF YOU FAGZ DOWN. All i hear is "omg no we don't come from here" & "yes we do science says we come from america,china or wut da fuck" just FUCK UP! stop going on about something that sucks like shit, who gives a fuck where uz come from we all came from Africa u dumb fucks. Man undcovabrudah ur fuckn annoying trying 2 be all brainy

[undacovaBrudah06]

I guess no one said this would be easy. There are always people who are going to doubt what researchers have to say. I couldn't have come up with false statements it was information I was given. ishmail did you also get given the Brigham statement? If so email me please, I have to look up more on Pre Inca culture. I think Danielle will help you with the Tongan report.

Take care buddy.

[undacovaBrudah06]

No Ishmail I was trying to state facts. I never knew this person would demand my origins of life. Yes I will be there. I'm working harder to study more on the Australian Aboriginals after I finish my Polynesian report. Yes it's hard getting facts to other people, I wish this spiteful person could see my facts and your facts too but he's conservative I guess. A person with pure hate towards me. Kind of rude I guess but oh well.

[PhaTkiD3000]

Oi boi i mean dick....lmao have u also done the report on the "rapa nui people" i've only managed to do a summary report on tongans, i told you man that this was gonna cause tension. you should tell samoan10 to come to our uni so he understands the stuff we're given aye. i found it difficult coz every1 so tied up wif their beliefs. i guess being free hand is best, dont ya fink?

[PhaTkiD3000]

LMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! what's happening undacova? Lookz like ya on a bad list now. Are you coming to Uni on Monday? I did work experience at "Rebel Sport"! XD!!! Why is this Samoan10 guy being an asshole. LMAO! well i know your puerto rican and ehtnically your indian, lebanese and shit, you tell everyone at uni dat and they alwayz like.... SAY WHAT?

[undacovaBrudah06]

It's exactly the same as Puerto Rican but seeing as Puerto Rican is more of a Nationality than an Ethnicity. Ask any Puerto Rican person. By Nationality they are Puerto Rican but by ethnicity they have Amerindian,Middle Easter and European descent. That's how vastly cultured the Americas is. You must be a full Samoan I presume?

[undacovaBrudah06]

I'm not going to give out personal information on my mother. All I know is that her Mother is from Upolu. Your so weird. Why do you question me like I'm some criminal get over yourself. You'll be seeing a lot more of me around. I might even write a book about what Thor Heyerdahl wanted to finish off. Man your like a stalker.

[10samoan10]

Not a single respected person in Polynesian studies says that Polynesians come from the Americas. There are No studies that say 58% of Samoans have Cayapa,Mapuche, or Aymara genes. That is a lie.

And on here you say you are Samoan/Amerindian/Lebanese. On your utube profile you say you are Mestizo/Samoan. On your myspace you say Samoan/Puerto Rican.

lol you are a fraud. Which island/village/family do you come from in Samoa?

LIAR!!!!!!!!!!! lol

[undacovaBrudah06]

Wow. Samoan/Mestizo is exactly the same as being Samoan/lebanese and Puerto Rican. Do your research Mestizo means of mixed ethnicity mainly a mixture of American Indian and European or Middle Eastern descent! My father was born in Puerto Rico and is of Amerindian/Lebanese. A mixture of this makes a person mestizo do your research.

[HotKit]

Samoan is in his or her own little world. Just ignore them.

You're right, BTW. That's exactly what the term 'Mestizo' means, of mixed ethnicity, usu. Native Am and Euro.

[undacovaBrudah06]

Oh yeah I found some cool information on "Polynesian Pathways" just type it in and search for it yourself. I already told you the University's to look up on the internet, they should hold some of the information. They might also ask you to register and to buy some private information. It's all well worth it if you want to go in depth in the topic.

[undacovaBrudah06]

Also stop calling me a liar. It's very rude to be so prejudice and you don't even know me. I'm only stating facts that I've found and that my parents have also helped me study. It's basically impossible for me to list all my ethnicities seeing I come from a mixed background I state it clearly so you don't get confused. I'm Samoan/Mestizo which is a mixture of American Indian and Lebanese/Spanish.

[PrTyc1OMG]

WTF?! stop arguing DAMN! u sound like Fags! honestly who argues online?? Get lives and stop wasting space and Undcovabrudah06 FUCK THE HELL UP! and Samoa10 GO FUCK YOUR MAMA BCOZ UR A FUCKEN WEIRDO and Phatkid LOSE SUM FUCKEN WEIGHT! WHAT FAGGOTS YOU GUYZ ARE! LMFAO!

[undacovaBrudah06]

I would be also be very interested to hear your opinion on Polynesian history. Could you tell me what your theory is as to where our people come from? I would be happy to hear a second opinion. Also it would make me want to study another side to Polynesian history and to break down barriers that many people refuse to do themselves.

[undacovaBrudah06]

Brigham Youth University should also have facts. You should register and and try to buy the Volume book: based on Polynesians. They hold the facts to what I have said. I'm studying at Victoria University and I've also faced many obstacles with this topic. I only went in-depth because I was fascinated with many similarities between South East Asians and Polynesians and Amerindians and Polynesians. My mother is Samoan and my dad is Amerindian/Lebanese. Polynesian history always excites me.

[10samoan10]

*error I meant to say 58% of Samoans DO NOT have Cayapa,Mapuche, or Aymara genes. Site your sources right now.

And state your island, village, and family. Because you are lying through your teeth about real Samoans.

[10samoan10]

If you were Samoan then you would know the Samoan story of creation. We come from Tagaloalagi. Some from Pulotu and Papatea.

No study says 68% of Samoans share the same genetics with south americans. You are a LIAR!

Samoans share a "few" genetic markers with some Taiwanese aboriginals. That does not necessarily mean Samoans come from Taiwan. Taiwanese came from Mainland China.

State your island, village, and family right now to prove you are Samoan. If you don't it proves you are a liar!

[undacovaBrudah06]

Hahaha. You sound like some ruthless dictator. I don't have to prove anything to you. A lot of the work I have study is available. You must buy the facts online it's not for free. I use visa. It's not a few genetic markers that link Polynesians to Taiwanese it's a genetic bottleneck which refers Polynesians to both

Amerindians and South East Asians. check out Polynesian pathways.

[undacovaBrudah06]

I'm allowed to have self-opinion I'm open minded to many facts and evidence. I've researched as much as I can on the topic. I believe that conflict would arise knowing that some people would have different views on where Polynesian society originated from. It's not a big deal for me it makes me want to search harder for more detailed evidence. Maxwell Institute holds some of the facts.

[10samoan10]

I am Samoan. And NO we do not come from north or south America. Nor do we come from Taiwan.

undacovaBrudah06-which island and village do you come from in Samoa? Have you even listened to legends of the Samoan people? because it doesn't sound like you have.

[undacovaBrudah06]

How can you say such a ridiculous comment? Genetics and archaeological evidence states clearly that Polynesians originated from Taiwan! You look like a fool with what you have stated. Polynesians indeed today cannot be denied of not having contact in the Americas because recent studies show there was input. You are not a real Samoan by the looks of it so don't judge me!

[undacovaBrudah06]

Well I guess this is kinda a debatable topic. Again though

anthropologists have twisted many Polynesian customs,beliefs

religions to suit what they believe would fit into their theory

of a migration from South East Asia. There's no doubt about it

that Polynesians came from South East Asia but the same can be

said about Polynesians coming from America. I'm not going to give

up on a topic that I've studied all my life. I've come to far now

[undacovaBrudah06]

Being honest, I don't thing scientists can ever figure out exactly where we come from.

Polynesians are a diverse bottle-neck race. We are not of one gene but many. Migrations

could have come from either gateway. Not all Polynesians are linked to South East Asians.

[undacovaBrudah06]

It's stupid and absurd to say Polynesians are not associated with American Indians in any way. Scientist could say the same thing with South East Asians. Also if Polynesians traveled Eastward into the South Pacific Via IndoChina to islands such as Samoa to Easter Island Why would they stop sailing in that direction When the South American border is not far? Either way Polynesians are linked to American Indians. You cannot rule this fact out and it is not a theory it's truth.

[blackjamm]

It's not truth. I don't know why you're so attached to the idea. If there's no evidence, consider it, but move on. It wouldn't mean anything new for you, you'd still be the same person, whether your ancestors came from southeast Asia or America, and it's a moot point - we all come from Africa originally anyway, so it's not like your origin changes. At all, really.

[undacovaBrudah06]

Again, there is truth to a lot of information i've stated. There is a site called "Polynesian Pathways". It goes in depth into evidence and reasons as to why scientist rule out the fact Polynesians came from to gateways. The first Polynesians who settled the South pacific probably weren't from South East Asia they were probably from Canada or Gwai'i. Later migrations were from Indo-China but Polynesians hardly have anything in common with Melanesians.

[undacovaBrudah06]

I'm also sorry if I came off sounding rude. I get confused sometimes as to why anthropologists never mention evidence found on Polynesians which can also be traced in parts of the Americas. As you said, yes indeed a majority of Polynesians are descended from South East Asia. There are also a majority of Southern Indians coming from South East Asia too.

[undacovaBrudah06]

Just face the facts. Polynesians are South East Asian, American Indian and a bit Melanesian.

[tuioaotearoa]

Polynesian languages belongs to the Austronesian family which it's origins is said to be from Taiwan or Malaysia.

Recent Dna studies points to Taiwan and southeast asia.

Polynesians are not Lamanites (red skinned Jews) as the Mormons claim.

[undacovaBrudah06]

Yes but Have anthropologists ever bothered to explain that Polynesians also hold NW Coastal Canadian Indian DNA Or Cayapa,Mapuche genes? Has Anthropologists ever stated that the Polynesian language is distant from South East Asia by 6000years and that vocabulary from NW Coastal Canadian Indians some how reached Polynesia? Or how about so many similarities between Coastal Canadian Indians and Polynesians?

[blackjamm]

Except that's not a fact, and you have no genetic, linguistic or cultural evidence for that. I'm entirely open-minded here - I'm willing to be convinced. But only if there is genuine evidence. Search for "almost Hawaiian" on Youtube, and go to the first video. It's a Paiwan song and dance - Taiwanese aborigines. Very Polynesian, no? I'd say so.

[PhratzBoi]

Yes Undacovabrudah006 what's wrong with Yami people?/// I mean Most Indians living in the Canadian coast also believe Polynesians descended from Haida and Northern Canadian Indians but at the same time us Northern Canadians Indians may have come from Taiwan ourselves/// At the end when you think about it Polynesians/Native Americans are Asian by origin so we are all related/// XD *LOL

[blackjamm]

Everyone in the world is related anyway. We're at least all descended from the earliest homo sapiens in Africa.

[PhratzBoi]

OMG you guys are so immature. I'm of Haida descent too Undacovabrduah, XD lol/// my parents are both haida and my dad is also commanche/Puebla/// both my parents are American Indian yet they claim to be Polynesian *I don't understand at all* I have also heard of many legends and myths and stories (lol) where my mom and dad tell me of the Great Polynesians who travelled from Canada to Hawaii and then about the migration that had been occuring between Canada and Samoa

[blackjamm]

But the Haida way of life was signicantly different to any Polynesian way. They lived in different houses, wore different things. Northwestern tribal traditions like potlatches, whaling, salmon fishing, etc, are not found in Polynesia. One similarity I can think of are the porridge stirrers of the north west - they look similar to the lap lap knives found in the New Hebrides, but they are used for different things.

[undacovaBrudah06]

We have customs you may not know of. Anthropologists (for some strange reason) only want you to hear or read information that they think is relative. Why would I say my people have similar customs to Polynesians if they didn't. Just remember I'm of both ethnicities so I know my people very well. I study my people customs and for you to say we have nothing in common is shocking. We have so much in common that you are not aware of.

[blackjamm]

And interestingly, the similarity between the words "kumara" for sweet potato means nothing. The Mbabaram word for "dog" happens to be "dog". Linguists are certain that there is no relationship between Mbabaram, which is from Australia, and English.

[PrTyc1OMG]

Valid points are that you have claimed there are no similarities between Polynesians and American Indians. Like Undacovabrother and Phratzkid said we have a lot in common with Polynesians. Canadian Indians claim that they are Polynesian and the fact that they hold a lot in common is funny. I'm Tlinglit Indian and my parents also claim they're Polynesian. Phratzkid is right and so is undacovabrudah, i think it's you who needs to do research

[blackjamm]

Had you noticed how it is only the native people themselves who think that? No evidence supports that conclusion. No linguistic evidence. No genetic evidence. The fact is, without either of those, there is no way to trace anything. I thought the Tlingit creation myth was the story of the raven. Science says NA came from east Asia. What's with the Polynesian theory?

[blackjamm]

And of course there are similarities between Polynesians and native Americans. There are similarities between ALL people. But there are no more between those two groups than any others, really. The scientific consensus - and a lot of work has been done in this field, esp. since Heyerdahl - is that native Americans come from northern Asia, and that Polynesians came from southern Asia and island-hopped. There is a mountain of evidence for both.

[undacovaBrudah06]

Also what about the "Moai" Statues on Easter Island and the bird man cult "makemake" which originates from the Inca Indians which was also traditionally done in Parts of Polynesian (mainly in Easter Island). A lot of our Gods are to do with our natural surrondings e.g Sun and the same goes with american Indians.

[blackjamm]

Most pre-modern societies' gods are to do with the natural surroundings - native European religions are all about nature worship, and what society has not, at some point, worshipped the sun? Unless genetics bears it out, and other factors like linguistics, similarities in material culture, etc, the likely explanation is that Austronesians of all stripes came from south east Asia. I'd like it too if native Americans were part of Polynesia, but unfortunately...

[undacovaBrudah06]

That is not what I mean. I know Polynesians are South East Asian but we're also American Indian. We are totally different from the Yami people. Yes we are of the Yami people descent but we integrated with the American Indians at some point to make us Polynesians different from our South East Asian cousins and our Native American cousins. We are both!

[blackjamm]

I'd say this: it's possible. People have done some pretty miraculous seeming journeys, especially those people around the pacific, so contact between native American peoples and Pacific islanders shouldn't be ruled out. But the journeys from Taiwan and southern China out to Hawai'i and Samoa would have taken thousands of years, and the Austronesian peoples are rather varied - Melanesians, Polynesians, Malays, etc.

[blackjamm]

So people from Polynesia are naturally going to display some differences from Malays and, say, the Yami. Melanesian people are quite different in appearance from Polynesians, but speak similar languages and display similar cultural characteristics. Perhaps their visual differences are explained by contact with Australian aborigines, and perhaps Polynesians look somewhat different due to contact with native American peoples.

[undacovaBrudah06]

exactly. A lot of our traditions come from both Asian and American Indian Origin. The Moai Statues the Totem Poles from Our South American Ancestors and I don't really know what comes from South East Asia but I know we have traditions and customs from them too.

[blackjamm]

Polynesian languages come from south east Asia, as do other things like clothing and most other parts of material culture - for instance, traditionally the Yami have been fishermen who ate yams and taro, that kind of thing, just like Polynesians. They also used bows and spears that are almost identical except for the wood used. Songs and dancing also seem very similar, and the headhunting and cannibalism traditions in both places are extremely similar.

[undacovaBrudah06]

No I think your wrong with a few things. I know more about my people because I'm polynesian. Our cannibalism customs are more similar to American Indians (We used special eart ovens that were cave-like just like the Incas) also our traditional costumes were more Amazon like not Asian at all. (Our tattoos are very similar to American Indian tribes and that fact that both Polynesians and Indians were it for the same purpose, to indicate which tribe we are from)

[blackjamm]

I think you are thinking more continental Asian than island Asian here. Taiwanese aborigines are famous for their tattoos, which are very, very similar to Polynesian ones. The cannibal and headhunting aspect is the same - a reliquary of heads providing ancestral power to the holder, a body filled with yams and taro, baked in a special oven as you say. The clothes in south-east Asian peoples would have been similar - palm leaves and pandanus leaves woven into cloth.

[undacovaBrudah06]

No the Zuni (American Indians) tattoos are of great similarity to Most Polynesian tattoos. Yes we have quite a lot in common with South East Asia influence, but most things you have stated are exactly the same as American Indians in South America (You should do some researd you will be fascinated about how similar American indians/South East Asians are to polynesians)

[blackjamm]

I really doubt the Zuni would have been the ones to have contacted Polynesian societies - they are not exactly known for their sea-faring. The closest seafaring societies would probably have been in the pacific north-west of America, where giant boats were constructed for fishing - of a very different design to Polynesian boats - and they really knew how to use them. They are also unrelated by language or material culture.

[undacovaBrudah06]

That still does not prove anything. Legends in British Columbia show people who lived in their country of lighter skin and were skilled sails men who traveled miles west into the South Pacific. Anthropologist have no idea how much in common Polynesians have with Southern American Indians. The only word that is from the Southern American Incas that stays with us Polynesians is the word "Kumar" which is the translation to "Kumara" (The sweet potato)

[blackjamm]

You know, that evidence is used by Gavin Menzies to justify his Chinese exploration theory. I'd say that linguistic and cultural similarities over a massive scale show more than single myths in isolated areas - you say that Polynesians share things with both the extreme north-west of America and the extreme south - I think it would be reasonably easy to accept one of these theories, but not both. And the fact is, ethnically and linguistically, Polynesians are defined as "Malayo-Polynesian."

[undacovaBrudah06]

It was mistake to mention Northern Indians seeing as most of them migrated from Siberia but not all. Southern American Indians are a different story, especially Columbian Indians and Inca Indians. They are closely related to polynesians as much as South East Asians are. It's not what all people liek to hear but it's true. My grandma (Who is of pure Inca descent) Told me stories of how her people came from the East not from the North.

[undacovaBrudah06]

It's really good. It provides ideas and answers. It could be that the Taiwanese travelled to North America then heading down south to british Columbia and Peru and Brazil then travelling from South American to the South Pacific. It's starting to all make sense.

[blackjamm]

It makes vastly more sense that ancestral Taiwanese and Malay people journeyed by canoe across the Pacific which they have always lived on the edges of, island hopping and eventually travelling vast distances than it does for Taiwanese and Malays to travel upwards through China (where they left no cultural remains) through Siberia to the land bridge which was luckily still there and then colonise all of America...

[blackjamm]

Native Americans being culturally, genetically and linguistically completely different from Taiwanese and Pacific islanders. The evidence is so overwhelming the other way, and if you so much as glance at a map of the Pacific, you will see that the Taiwanese islands, Phillipines and Malay peninsula are really not that far away from New Guinea - where the people are Melanesians, very similar culturally, genetically and linguistically to Polynesians.

[undacovaBrudah06]

OMG here we go again. We are not linguistically, culturally or genetically different from all Native Americans. We are closely related to Native Americans in Canada. Hawaiian legends state that they came from Canada not from Asia. Scientists have repeatedly got our legends and time of migration wrong. That's for a fact.

[blackjamm]

But it's not a fact at all. Look at all Pacific islander populations from Taiwan to Hawai'i: the peoples all have similar ways of life and speak related languages. Native American languages are completely different to Austronesian ones - do some research there, it's interesting. There's a thing called the "Mongolian spot". It's a blue spot on the butt of northern Asian babies, that also occurs in native Americans - it does not occur in Polynesian babies.

[blackjamm]

It's reasonably easy, if you have good boats, to island hop across the pacific to a certain extent. Obviously it gets more difficult the further east you go, but going from the Malay peninsula to Papua is not a great challenge, and from there to the various outlying islands, to the Solomons, Vanuatu... not so difficult. Think about how difficult it would be to go the other way - it would be, to all intents and purposes, impossible for a stone age civilisation.

[undacovaBrudah06]

Just by reading your comments you are like most people or anthropologists. You don't know anything about Polynesian way of life and legend and myths associated with my people. We share a common view of migration with many Native Americans and cultural customs. I know we share customs with South East Asians but some of our customs and beliefs are not even related to Melanesians what so ever, no need to debate with you because it's obvious were Malayan and Native American.

[blackjamm]

You say it's obvious, but really it is not. There is no evidence except for your speculation. I know a lot about native American people. My best friend at Kindergarten in the states was a Seneca, and I've done lots of research. As for there being no connection between Melanesians and Polynesians: look at Vanuatu, which is where my uncle lives. The island of Aoba, for instance, was Polynesian. And yet it is smack in the middle of Vanuatu.

[undacovaBrudah06]

You need to do way more research to start jumping to conclusions. I know my people like the back of my hand. Our traditions and customs in the Polynesian life varies and is almost not identical to Melanesian way of life. We share a strong connection to Malayan people though as we do with many native tribes mainly Haida and the Chumash. Ask any Polynesian person and they will tell you your mad for saying our traditions and customs, myths and legends are similar to Melanesians.

[blackjamm]

But they are similar. Material culture is practically identical - canoes made the same way, food prepared the same way (cannibalistic practises are the same too), fishing and hunting implements are almost identical. Ideas about kastom and tabu are very similar. Take a look at Mela- and Polynesian bows, for instance - identical for the most part, even made of the same woods with the same tools. Arrows are the same, as well. What isn't similar? Only exact skin colouration.

[blackjamm]

Polynesian culture came about not due to crosscultural fusion from America and Asia. It came about like the majority of cultures do, by migrating and adapting to the environment in which they now live. Polynesian culture is unique and actually quite varied. If Polynesians were visited by native Americans at some point, they would have had to have visited almost every island that Polynesians live on, including those in the far western pacific, and there is no evidence at all for that.

[undacovaBrudah06]

hahaha, you say you have a friend who is of Native American descent? Well for your information all tribes are different, I'm of Cuna/Inca/Haida/Samoan descent and I know how much customs we share with Polynesians. You don't know anything about Indians or Polynesians with the way you talk. Our traditions and customs are infact very similar and for you to say there is no evidence what so ever is a joke.

[blackjamm]

My friend actually was pure-blood Mohawk, from near Montreal originally. I know a hell of a lot about native American peoples, especially north American, and I can tell you that north American societies are extremely different to Polynesian societies in almost every way. Look at the Zuni, whom you brought up - Zuni hated violence to an absurd degree. Didn't even want to fight the Dene when they arrived. Compare that to cannibalism and headhunting.

[undacovaBrudah06]

To know a Polynesian or American Indian person you have to be one and have lived a life their way. I have with both of my cultures. I've lived in Peru for 8years of my life and 8years in Samoa and both my grandparents from both backgrounds (Samoan and Inca) tell me stories about their ancestors and where they come from. They tell me stories which are relatively similar. You can't say that you know stuff just because you read from a book. Books are nothing compared to the real thing

[blackjamm]

Quechua, for instance, sounds nothing like Fijian. It just doesn't. There aren't even any loanwords. If anything, Quechua sounds like Korean, although a direct link is unproveable. 95% of native American people have the Mongolian spot. This is an inherited mark on the butt that fades when you grow up. It is present in east Asians and native Americans - but not Polynesians. They are not genetically linked. They are few cultural similarities. There are no linguistic similarities.

[blackjamm]

Also: Hawaiians definitely come from Tahiti and the Marquesas. In fact, the definition of a native Hawaiian is someone who is descended from Tahitian and Marquesan settlers from around 400 CE. There is no connection to south America. I don't get why you are so vehement in defending the idea of cross cultural contact. You are part of both cultures, and besides, being part of the Malayo-Polynesian group of people is something amazing - the most extensive language family in the world.

[undacovaBrudah06]

Anthropologists lie about our time of migration and contact between other people, Make up or twist our beliefs and Gods to suit other cultures customs. They don't know anything about my people! They know nothing!

[blackjamm]

Why would anthropologists lie? They are just going by the evidence they have. It's not some conspiracy to make Incan people and Polynesians and whomever else look stupid or primitive. Every genuine anthropologist just wants to know about humans and where they came from, and only Nazis and nutters make value judgements about cultures. Essentially, all evidence suggests that all Austronesian peoples originated in southeast Asia.

[PhratzBoi]

Undacovabrudah006 holds some very valid points blackjamm. It is wrong for you to say his people have nothing in common with mine XD./// We have so much in common but over the years things change and customs,religions,beliefs etc. are altered/// being honest I think Southern Indians and Canadians Indians have more in common with Polynesians than Northern American Indians.

[blackjamm]

Canadian first nations have really very little in common with Polynesians. In terms of hunting equipment, languages, weaponry, agriculture, housing, what they ate, etc, there is nothing shared. But look at the clothing, songs, language, housing, food, weaponry, genetics, and so on and so on, of the Yami and compare them to other Pacific islanders. There are a few small differences, but to all intents and purposes, they are living the same lives.

[blackjamm]

When I am in Taiwan, I will do some intensive research. I am very interested in the migration of peoples - that, along with linguistics, is my main passion - so any evidence suggesting pre-European contact between Polynesians and native Americans would be fascinating; also, to compare native Taiwanese and Polynesian societies would be of high interest.

[undacovaBrudah06]

Yes but a lot of customs between South East Asians and American Indians are similar. I think because I was raised in Peru I have seen cultural customs there relate to my Polynesian people. There is a lot of cultural customs also in British Columbia that are more similar to Polynesians then any South East Asian country I know.

[blackjamm]

Well, south-east Asia nowadays is going to show little resemblance to Polynesian society, simply because of thousands of years of Chinese, Viet and Burmese influence. So the ways anthropologists will track human populations will be through trackers such as language and genetics, which are the two most reliable indicators. Both show that Polynesian societies came from south-east Asia thousands of years ago, specifically the Malay peninsula and Taiwan.

[undacovaBrudah06]

Yes South East Asian influence probably hit hard on the Pacific. Easter Island is the only place with evidence of American Indian contact which is ashame. One thing that you may not have known is many Polynesian families (Generally Maori,Tahitian,hawaiian,Rapa Nuian,Samoan) can trace back their ancestral lines to their American Indian ancestors. Many families on Inca descent.

[undacovaBrudah06]

haha what a JOKE. Europeans have no say what so ever to where we come from. You don't know jack-shit if that is the information you've been given. Yes the word "Kumara" orignated from the Quechua language which means sweet potato. Honestly Polynesian way of life is common to South & North Indians. Why the hell do you Thor heyerdahl would compare Polynesians to Indians if we had nothing in common? I know a hell lot more than you would.

[undacovaBrudah06]

I'm just gonna have to say your wrong again. You don't know anything about Polynesian or Native American customs what so ever. You speak as if you are of Polynesian or Amerindian descent. You can't say anything you don't know our legend and migration. You depend on them stupid white anthropologists to tell you where we come from yet infact they know jack-shit.

[blackjamm]

So people who have spent their entire lives trying to find out about other societies, who can compare, contrast, determine relationships between and understand the origins of different societies are somehow not as good at assessing culture as someone who just happens to have Incan blood? That's a little bizarre. Anyway, what's so bad about being related to the Yami?

[PhratzBoi]

*/// I think you need to come to Canada to see it yourself/// Haida Indians (Yay thats me) call themselves Polynesian believing that Polynesian descended from Taiwan to North Canadian coast/// We share a lot in common so your wrong about many things/// I do get confused myself as to why my parents say they're Polynesians yet they're Haida Indians. (I consider myself Indian)

[undacovaBrudah06]

I'm not just Inca I'm also Haida and Zuni. My Mother was born in Samoa and both her parents are of Samoan and Inca Descent my fathers parents are Inca (Quechua) and Haida/Zuni. My parents work together to tie the links between both Polynesians and Amerindian. I think what I said to you was out of line but you don't know our customs as well as me or my people. Yes you may have watched or read info from books but as I said before it's nothing compared to the real thing

[undacovaBrudah06]

I don't believe all Polynesian people come from South-east Asia. The polynesian race is bound to be mixed with American Indian somewhere.

[blackjamm]

Can you explain why you think that? I mean, it's possible, but most anthropological opinion tends to disagree with you. Similarities in language, music, etc, all suggest that south-east Asia is the origin of Austronesian peoples.

[undacovaBrudah06]

Well can you please explain Polynesian legends and theories and how similar they are to American Indian Legends. Also the fact that the sweet potato originates from South America. I'm sick of hearing "The sweet potato floated into the pacific" or there was minimal contact. How the hell do scientists (Anthropologists) know? They don't know everything. It's quite possible for a Polynesian person to be of both ethnic backgrounds.

[blackjamm]

Can you give a concrete example of a similarity between Polynesian and native American legends? It sounds like an interesting idea. Linguistic evidence shows that Taiwanese aborigines, Malays, Melanesians and Polynesians all come from the same place and are all related. However, this does not preclude the possibility of contact between Polynesians and native American peoples - and the sweet potato is a little mysterious.

[undacovaBrudah06]

Yes it is. I'm not trying to say we do not come from South East Asia. I believe that what makes us Polynesians unique and different is that we are a mixture of American Indian and Malayan (Indo-Chinese descent). I always take other theories into consideration but we are not just of South East Asian Descent that is for sure!!!

[undacovaBrudah06]

Also i thought about what you said and I totally agree. I'm not going to move off the topic because new evidence on Polynesians is coming from the Americas and South East Asia everyday. It would be stupid to say Polynesians came through New Guinea, seeing as only Western Polynesians hold their genes due to the trading triangle between Fiji,Tonga and Samoa. I believe Polynesians were adventurous and would of wanted to see more than the South Pacific.

[blackjamm]

If you read "1421" by Gavin Menzies, he suggests that Chinese explorers in the 15th century brought the sweet potato back across the pacific. That's a little bit wild, though. The sweet potato is slightly odd, but... Anyway, genetic research apparently also backs up the Asian theory of Polynesian ancestry. Go to the wikipedia page on Thor Heyerdahl, or Polynesia.

[undacovaBrudah06]

I'm polynesian and I have roots of American Indian in me. My question is why does my family and many other have roots from American indians from 1000 years ago and yet we can trace back to them and not South East Asians! Yes us Polynesians do have theories to where we come from but no one ever gives us a chance! We maybe a mixture of Malayan and American Indian. I will never understand. My ancestors are of Cuna (Indian) descent. That is not true about the Chinese with the sweet potato

[blackjamm]

I don't believe the Chinese theory either - it's just one of the wackier theories out there. Scientists tend not to believe native peoples' theories about where they came from. It's a shame, but that kind of thing is unfortunately in a separate pocket of anthropology. Linguistics and genetics are most often the devices used to track peoples around the globe.

[undacovaBrudah06]

Yes but that does not rule out that American Indian blood is not visible. Of couse I'm American Indian seeing as both my parent are Of American Indian Descent.

[Dinoblack]

also known as PUMPKINHEAD ISLAND!

[ashieng]

I live in Taiwan and am grateful for the chance to make friends among Taiwan's aboriginals. This video has inspired me to visit Lanyu. Thanks. Any more videos in English about Taiwan's Aboriginal cultures please advise. Thanks...

~~ Ashieng

[bdysrf]

Greetings,

Is the young Lanyu woman in your documentary named Teresa? She was an old friend ofmy wife and Ifrom Taipei back in the late 90's. I knew she went back to Lanyu to be a nurse in the late 90's... She was a dear friend of my wife's and we would be thrilled to touch basis with her again. If you have any contact info at all, we would be excited!

Best regards,

Patrick O'Leary