Abstract The article describes the relations between Confucian education and the An-li tribe, a branch of Pazch people in the central Taiwan, and its impact on the latter. The An-li tribe chose to cooperate with the imperial court of the Qing dynasty, and assisted offi cials to put down popular revolt, thus got a lot of land. In order to maintain the property, An-li tribe accepted Confucian education of the Han people, particularly literacy education. They also became keen to seek educational and political achievements to avoid loss of land. Despite the benefi ts obtained, the An-li tribe also lost certain traditions.