臺灣中部見於文獻資料的熟番跨社群遷徙活動，共有三次。其中以入埔活動的開墾組織與人群組合方式，最足以體現平埔熟番集體意識。清代開墾埔里盆地的活動，僅限於北起大安溪北岸，南迄濁水溪一帶的社群，而且參與的村社並非廢社遷徙，這類屬於特定地域、有選擇性的搬遷活動，有其內在動力；其社群關係發展也存在獨特的歷史淵源。因此，本文企圖透過十九世紀平埔熟番跨社群集體入埔的墾殖活動，考察清代臺灣中部平埔熟番集體意識的形成與展現方式。 本研究主要基於地域社群與族群關係發展的角度，以苗栗丘陵至彰化、雲林界河濁水溪間的平埔族群為研究對象，運用官方檔案、方志、古文書、中外遊記與探險記錄，以及戶籍舊簿等為基本分析素材。本文結論指出：平埔族社原以各自的生活領域為核心，並視周遭人群為異文化的世界，隨著十七世紀中葉外力入殖，尤其在清廷邊疆控制力的擴充，以及漢人優勢社會的形成之交互作用下，逐漸跨越單一的部落認同，發展出平埔熟番集體意識。而隨著十八世紀以來平埔族群逐次成為臺灣社會的少數族群(minority)，這一與漢人社會競爭失敗的生活經驗乃使他們產生共同的行動基礎，並引發其一波波再造新生活園地的企圖。就平埔熟番集體意識的發展過程而言，其現實生活的困境和複雜的族群(漢番)互動經驗，使得外在因素對部落內在變遷造成至為明顯的影響。十九世紀的大遷徙活動，即是此內外環境交互作用結果的具體呈現。

This article reviews the factors influencing the migrations of the plains aborigines in Central Taiwan in the nineteenth century and the consequent formation of ethnic identity among the tribes. Historical data from government archives, local records, contemporary books, travelogues, expedition diaries, and old household registers are analyzed to determine the migrations of plains aborigine tribes in the Miao-li (苗栗), Chang-hua (彰化) and Yun-lin (雲林) areas. Three major migrations are documented, one in 1804 and two in 1823. Rather than abandoning their former settlements, the plains aborigine tribes further explored and expanded their territories in collaboration with other tribes in the same region. Concerted effort among specific regional tribes gradually paved the way for the development of a certain shared ethnic identity among these minorities. From the perspective of regional tribes and the development of tribal relationships, this study concludes that the driving forces behind the migrations of plains aborigines were a mixture of both internal changes and external pressures. At first, plains aborigine tribes were all independent with little interaction. They viewed other tribes as outsiders and their cultures as exotic. But beginning from the mid-seventeenth century, the Ch’ing government expanded and strengthened their control of the frontier and of the aborigines. This, together with the rising dominant status of Han immigrants, greatly affected the plains aborigines. Unable to remain individual and independent tribes, they gradually developed a greater ‘we-group’ awareness as plains aborigines, regarding the Han as the ‘other’ in contrast to this developing plains aborigine identity. The growing domination of Han immigrants had rendered the plains aborigines as minorities in a disadvantageous position, forcing them to seek new territories. In face of their common Han competitors, a shared ethnic identity grew among the tribes. Hence, the interaction between internal changes and external influences led to the migrations of the tribes and fostered the development of a shared ethnic identity among the plains aborigines.

平埔番；漢人；集體意識；遷徙活動；少數族群；打里摺

plains aborigine, Hans (Han immigrants), ethnic identity, migration, minorities