History, Culture and Heritage of Early Hong Kong

Hong Kong in Historic Times

• Integration into China ($214\,BC$): Hong Kong was officially incorporated into the territory of the Qin Dynasty of China in $214\,BC$. This marks the beginning of the historic times for the region.
• Early Indigenous Populations: At the time of its inclusion in the Chinese empire, the region was primarily inhabited by ethnic minority groups, including the Yue and the Yao people.
• Migration of Han People ($10th\,century$): Starting in the $10th\,century$ (during the Song Dynasty), people belonging to the Han ethnic group from the Chinese mainland began moving to and settling in Hong Kong. They eventually became the dominant population of early Hong Kong.

The Four Major Dialect Groups

Early Hong Kong society was primarily composed of four distinct migrant groups from the mainland, collectively known as the "four major dialect groups" (四大民系). These groups maintained unique dialects, lifestyles, and community structures.

• Cantonese (廣府人):
  • Origins: Originally from Northern China, they settled in Guangdong before moving south to Hong Kong in the mid-$10th\,century$.
  • Nomenclature: Known as "Punti" (本地人), meaning "local people," because they were the earliest significant Han group to settle in the area.
  • Dialect: They spoke the Wai Tau dialect (圍頭話).
  • Settlement: They occupied the fertile plains in the northern New Territories. Large families within this group evolved into prominent local clans.
• Hakka (客家人):
  • Nomenclature: The name "Hakka" literally translates to "guest" (過客).
  • Origins: Also originally from Northern China, they migrated from Guangdong and Fujian to Hong Kong on a large scale starting in the $17th\,century$.
  • Dialect: They spoke the Hakka dialect (客家語).
  • Settlement: Because the Cantonese (Punti) had already claimed the fertile lands, the Hakka settled in more remote, rugged, or infertile areas of the New Territories.
• Boat People (水上人):
  • Nomenclature: Historically referred to as "Tanka" (蜑民).
  • Origins: Originally from Southern China. Their exact period of migration to Hong Kong is unknown.
  • Dialect: They utilized both Minnan and Cantonese dialects.
  • Settlement: They lived primarily in the bays and coastal areas along the New Territories and Hong Kong Island, with many making boats their permanent homes.
• Fuklo (福佬):
  • Nomenclature: Also known as "Hoklo" (鶴佬).
  • Origins: Originally from Northern China, they settled in Fujian or the Chaoshan and Hailufeng regions of Guangdong before migrating to Hong Kong around the $11th\,century$.
  • Dialect: They spoke the Minnan dialect (閩南語).
  • Settlement: They settled mostly in the eastern waters of Hong Kong; while most lived on boats, some settled on land.

The Five Great Clans of the New Territories

A "clan" (姓族) is defined as a large group of families sharing a common ancestor and the same surname. Among approximately $40$ Punti clans, five specific clans became the most powerful and influential due to their long history, land ownership, and economic strength. They are collectively known as the "Five Great Clans of the New Territories."

• Ancestral Background and Power:

  • Ancestors mostly arrived during the Song and Ming Dynasties.
  • They owned vast amounts of land and established multiple markets (墟市), giving them immense economic power.
  • Influence was further boosted by descendants who earned scholarly titles in national civil service examinations.

• Clan Details:

  • The Tangs (鄧氏):
    • Founding Ancestor: Tang Fu Hip (鄧符協).
    • Arrival: $11th\,century$.
    • Primary Settlement: Kam Tin.
    • Notes: Tang Fu Hip was a Jinshi (進士) during the Northern Song Dynasty.
  • The Haus (侯氏):
    • Founding Ancestor: Hau Ng Long (侯五郎).
    • Arrival: $12th\,century$.
    • Primary Settlement: Sheung Shui.
    • Notes: Hau Ng Long was a Jinshi during the Northern Song Dynasty.
  • The Pangs (彭氏):
    • Founding Ancestor: Pang Kwai (彭桂).
    • Arrival: $12th\,century$.
    • Primary Settlement: Fanling.
    • Notes: Their remote ancestor, Pang Yin Nin, was a Jinshi and a high-ranking official in the Northern Song Dynasty.
  • The Lius (廖氏):
    • Founding Ancestor: Liu Chong Kit (廖仲傑).
    • Arrival: $14th\,century$.
    • Primary Settlement: Sheung Shui.
    • Notes: Their ancestor Liu Kong and his four sons were important officials in the Northern Song Dynasty. Their combined salaries reached $10,000$ "man shek" (萬石), a unit for official pay; the "Liu Man Shek Tong" (廖萬石堂) was built to honor this status.
  • The Mans (文氏):
    • Founding Ancestor: Man Mang Sheung (文孟常).
    • Arrival: $15th\,century$.
    • Primary Settlement: San Tin.
    • Notes: Their ancestor was the cousin of Man Tin Cheung (文天祥), a famous general who resisted the Yuan Dynasty during the Southern Song period.

Settlement Types and Historic Architecture

• Walled Villages (圍村):
  • Context: During the Ming and Qing Dynasties, coastal Southern China was plagued by pirates and bandits.
  • Function: Cantonese and Hakka residents built villages surrounded by high walls and moats for defense.
  • Distribution: There are approximately $70$ walled villages remaining in Hong Kong today, mostly concentrated in Yuen Long, Kam Tin, Sheung Shui, and Fanling.
• Water-based Dwellings and Stilt Houses (棚屋):
  • Context: Boat people and the Fuklo primarily lived on boats.
  • Development: Over time, some settled on the shore using wood, grass, and iron sheets to build houses on stilts over water.
  • Location: The largest concentration of stilt houses is found in Tai O.

Livelihood and Education

• Cantonese Livelihood: Primarily farmed in fertile plains and valleys. They established self-sufficient rural economies by setting up bazaars (墟市) to trade surplus agricultural goods.
• Hakka Livelihood: Engaged in farming, but also diversified into salt making, brick making, quarrying, and stone cutting. Initially traded at markets controlled by Punti clans but later established their own markets to escape Punti dominance.
• Boat People and Fuklo Livelihood: Specialized in sailing, shipbuilding, and fishing. They were known for oyster farming and pearl-diving, though pearl-diving declined during the Qing Dynasty as pearl quality dropped. They also worked in the shipping industry, transporting salt and other goods.
• Traditional Rural Education:
  • Emphasis: Villages highly valued education to help sons pass civil service exams and bring honor to the clan (e.g., the Tang and Hau clans).
  • Venues: Ancestral halls and study halls (書室) served as schools.
  • Curriculum: Taught by a single teacher; subjects included Chinese classics, history, Confucianism, and calligraphy.
  • Organization: No fixed class grades or timetables; students of different ages studied together. School fees were paid in goods like rice.
  • Gender: Only boys were allowed to attend school; girls were largely denied educational opportunities.

Beliefs, Religions, and Traditional Festivals

• Ancestral Worship: A tradition dating back to the Shang Dynasty ($1600\,BC - 1046\,BC$) to show respect and seek blessings.
• Popular Religion: Worship of historical/deified figures like Chou Wong Yi Kung, Kwan Tai, and Pao Kung.
• Sea Deities: Boat people and Fuklo specifically worshipped Tin Hau (Goddess of the Sea) and Hung Shing for safe voyages. These festivals later became popular with land-based residents as well.

Lunar Calendar of Traditional Festivals:

• 1st Month: Chinese New Year (Family reunion, ancestral worship).
• 2nd Month: Hung Shing Festival (Birthday of the Taoist god Hung Shing).
• 3rd Month:
  • Ching Ming Festival (Remembering and worshipping ancestors).
  • Tin Hau Festival (Birthday of the Taoist goddess Tin Hau).
• 5th Month: Tuen Ng Festival (Commemorating Qu Yuan; ceremonies to drive away plagues).
• 7th Month: Yu Lan / Hungry Ghost Festival (Buddhist and Taoist rites to appease spirits).
• 8th Month: Mid-Autumn Festival (Family harvest celebration, ancestral worship).
• 9th Month: Chung Yeung Festival (Worshipping ancestors).
• 11th Month: Winter Solstice (Family reunion, stocking food for winter, ancestral worship).

Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) in Hong Kong

• Definition (UNESCO 2003): Intangible cultural heritage refers to activities, knowledge, and skills recognized by communities as part of their heritage. It is passed down through generations and constantly recreated.
• Categories and Local Examples:
  1. Oral traditions: Wai Tau dialect used in New Territories villages (Examples: "阿奶" = mother; "能械" = competent; "燒連排" = let off firecrackers).
  2. Performing arts: Cantonese Opera (inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List in $2009$), combining literature, dance, and martial arts.
  3. Social practices, rituals, and festive events: Wong Tai Sin belief, which began in $1915$ and combines religion with charity.
  4. Knowledge concerning nature/universe: Herbal tea, used in Southern China to treat "internal heat."
  5. Traditional craftsmanship: Local food culture items like Milk tea, egg tarts, and pineapple buns.

Significant Intangible Cultural Heritage Case Studies

In $2014$, the Government published the first Representative List of the ICH of Hong Kong. Four items are also recognized on China's national list:

• Chiu Chow Hungry Ghost Festival:
  • Place: Throughout Hong Kong.
  • Month: $7th$.
  • Features: Alms-giving, offerings, deity worship.
  • Value: Unites the Chiu Chow community; promotes filial piety.
• Cheung Chau Jiao Festival:
  • Place: Cheung Chau.
  • Month: $4th$.
  • Features: Piu Sik (Parade), Bun Scrambling (搶包山).
  • Value: Strengthens identity of Cheung Chau residents; showcases folklore.
• Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance:
  • Place: Tai Hang.
  • Month: $8th$.
  • Features: Fire dragon parade, send-off ceremony.
  • Value: Preserves Hakka customs; connects old and new residents.
• Tai O Traditional Dragon Boat Parade (遊涌):
  • Place: Tai O.
  • Month: $5th$.
  • Features: Deities on dragon boats; parade to release the dead.
  • Value: Showcases shipbuilding skills; maintains the fishing community.

Focus Study: Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance

• Origin ($1880$): Legend states Tai Hang Village was hit by a python during a storm. After killing the snake, the body disappeared, and a plague followed. Villagers paraded a fire dragon and let off firecrackers during the Mid-Autumn Festival, which ended the plague. This became an annual tradition.
• Timeline: Held over three days during Mid-Autumn ($14th, 15th, 16th$ of the $8th$ lunar month).
• Resources: Involves roughly $300\,men$ and $70,000\,incense\,sticks$.
• Structure of the Fire Dragon:
  • Head: Rattan frame wrapped in pearl straw; weighs $70\,kg$.
  • Pearls: Two pomelos filled with hundreds of incense sticks ($200+$) used to guide the dragon.
  • Body: Hemp rope wrapped in pearl straw; $31\,sections$ held by $124\,people$ at a time.
• Ceremony Phases:
  1. Parade: First two nights to purify the community. New incense is replaced, and old sticks are gifted to neighbors as blessings.
  2. Send Off: Third night ends with the "Dragon's return to the sea" ritual, throwing the dragon into the water (later retrieved) to send off uncleanness to heaven.
• Historical Evolution:
  • Role of Women: In the past, rituals were restricted to men. Today, women can participate in beating drums and carrying lanterns.
  • Uniform: Since $1959$, participants wear a "culture shirt" (short-sleeved undershirt).
  • Rules: Firecrackers were banned by the government in $1967$.
  • Logistics: Participants now receive Pu-erh tea instead of the traditional congee.

Conclusion: History, Culture, and Inheritance

• Societal Foundation: The Cantonese, Hakka, Fuklo, and boat people formed the backbone of early Hong Kong society between the $10th$ and $17th$ centuries, creating a multicultural environment.
• Unity and Identity: Traditional festivals and customs serve a purpose beyond religion; they unite communities, promote social harmony, and represent the continuity of Chinese culture.
• Adaptation: While rooted in over a century of history, these cultural practices have continuously evolved to meet the changes of modern times while remaining a source of pride for Hong Kong residents. Education and public support are essential for their continued preservation.**