The Council of Indigenous Peoples (CIP) held the Torch Lighting Ceremony for the 2025 World Indigenous Traditional Games today (November 26) in front of the Octagonal Exhibition Hall at the Taiwan Indigenous Peoples Cultural Park in Pingtung. Accompanied by elders’ blessings and multicultural performances, the sacred flame—symbolizing heritage, continuity, and connection—was officially ignited, marking Taiwan’s commencement of the final countdown to this major international indigenous sporting event. Beginning today (November 26) and continuing through to December 10, the sacred flame relay will travel across Taiwan, visiting 55 indigenous township offices.

The inaugural World Indigenous Traditional Games will take place from December 10 to 12, 2025, in Pingtung County and Kaohsiung City, marking Taiwan’s first time hosting an international indigenous traditional sports event. The Games will bring together approximately 1,100 athletes from 10 countries, including Taiwan, the Marshall Islands, Palau, Tuvalu, Guatemala, New Zealand, the Philippines, the United States, Canada, and Japan, forming 28 teams and representing indigenous exchange on an unprecedented scale.

The competition will feature 10 traditional indigenous sports, including traditional archery, traditional music and dance, log sawing, traditional tug-of-war, traditional wrestling, net-casting, traditional canoe racing, traditional road running, weight carrying, and freediving sprint—showcasing the physical cultures, traditions, and knowledge rooted in the forest, marine, and everyday life of indigenous peoples.

Minister Ljaucu·Zingrur emphasized that the World Indigenous Traditional Games place equal importance on culture and competition. The Games are not merely a sporting event, but a platform for language, music, ritual, and cultural interaction. As a key origin point of Austronesian culture, Taiwan—hosting the Games for the first time—will welcome indigenous peoples from around the world with sincerity and respect, striving to make Taiwan a vital space for international indigenous cultural encounter and mutual understanding.

In his closing remarks, Minister Ljaucu·Zingrur expressed hope that through the light of the torch and the hosting of the Games, indigenous cultural transmission will be further strengthened, and that the spirit, artistry, and cultural richness of Taiwan’s indigenous peoples will truly be seen by the world.