Members of Lanyu's Tao Indigenous community are sailing a traditional canoe from Taiwan to the Batanes Islands in the Philippines [1].

The voyage seeks to revive a maritime route that has remained silent for more than 300 years [1]. By reconnecting with ancestral paths, the community aims to preserve a seafaring heritage that defines the Tao people's identity and history [2].

The vessel, a traditional 20-person canoe [1] named Tatala — also known as “Ovayan – Golden Friendship” — departed Orchid Island in June 2024 [1]. The crew must navigate 100 nautical miles [2] across the Bashi Channel to reach the Philippine archipelago.

Maraos, chair of the Indigenous Peoples’ Cultural Foundation, said the effort is essential for the community's survival. "Our people have long been part of the Pacific and cannot allow our seafaring culture to disappear," Maraos said [2].

The expedition is not merely a journey of distance but a reclamation of cultural knowledge. The crew is utilizing traditional navigation and shipbuilding techniques to complete the crossing. An unnamed canoe captain said they are honored to revive the ancient route and show that their traditions are still alive [1].

This journey marks a significant effort by the Tao people to resist the erosion of their maritime skills. The Bashi Channel has long acted as a barrier, but the successful crossing of the Tatala serves as a physical bridge between the Indigenous populations of Taiwan and the Philippines [1, 3].

“Our people have long been part of the Pacific and cannot allow our seafaring culture to disappear.”

The reopening of this maritime route represents more than a historical reenactment; it is an act of cultural sovereignty. By successfully navigating the 100-nautical-mile gap between Taiwan and the Philippines, the Tao community demonstrates the resilience of Indigenous knowledge systems against centuries of colonial and modern disruption.