Among three hundred fifty thousand Taiwan indigenous people, the Thao tribe is the smallest group. They accommodate in the areas of Dapinlin, Suili and Barabaw, Yuchi, Nantou. The total population is only about four hundred, i.e., sixty households (forty four in Barabaw). In these two areas, the Thaos are still minor among the Han people.

During Japanese jurisdiction period, anthropologists had seen Ali Mountain’s Tsou and Sun Moon Lake’s Thao as one Tribe. Even after Taiwan Recovery, the household book of Thao family was signed as the “Tsou Plain Mountainous People”. Some scholars consider that the Thao live near by the Bunun, two groups share some similar traits in language and social structure. Some scholars think the Thao are sinicized so deeply that they should be categorized into the Plain People. Recent years, through serious survey and study, academic recognition is that the Thao is an unique socio-cultural group. It has its own tradition, language and even gene combination physiologically.

Traditionally the Thao is a patriarchal society. Usually the first-born son inherits the headman title. If there is no son, the title is given to younger brother. The headman gains high honor, and takes charge of whole tribe. During season of rituals he holds ceremonies. In ordinary days he judges cases. If enemy come to attack, the headman must lead all men to fight.

Previously the Thao had three major clans, i.e., Yuan, Shi and Mau clan. They lived in different territories. The Yuan occupied the area around Sun Moon Lake, and the Shi accommodated in Yuchi, whereas the Mau in Suili area. After many times moves, the Mau clan live in Dapinlin village now, and the Yuan and the Shi in Barabaw (present Sun Moon village). Since the headman Mau Shoung-san died in 1994, there has been no one inherit headman title in Dapinlin. But in today’s Barabaw, there are two headmen who are in charge of different areas of tribe matters, without hierarchical distinction between them.