Namasia District

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Namasia District is a mountainous Indigenous district in the northeastern part of Kaohsiung City, Taiwan. It used to be Sanmin Township, and on January 1, 2008 it was renamed Namasia. The name Namasia comes from a local river (in the Tsou language) and means “better and better” in the Bunun language.

The district is home to Bunun, Kanakanavu, and Saaroa Indigenous peoples. Kanakanavu people mainly live in the Manga and Takanua villages. Namasia is divided into three villages.

Geography and nature: The Qishan River valley here is as low as about 430 meters above sea level, and the highest point is Mount Xinwangling at 2,481 meters. Main upriver settlements include Nangisalu, Maya, and Takanua 1 & 2. The area has abundant wildlife: 29 mammals, 97 birds, 30 reptiles, 16 amphibians, 18 fish, and 89 butterfly species.

Administration and people: The district is governed by a district magistrate. The first district magistrate, Dahu Istanda of the Taiwan First Nations Party, was elected in 2014. Payan Islituan has served as district magistrate since 2018. The population as of October 2023 is 3,165.