Comprehensive Study Guide on the Development of Islam and Early Hong Kong Cultural Heritage

The Development of Islam

  • Global Context: Christianity and Islam are identified as the two largest religions in the world.
  • Foundational Keywords:
    • Islam: The name of the religion.
    • Allah: The only God worshipped in Islam.
    • Mecca: A significant location in the early development of the faith.
    • Medina: A key city involved in the expansion and leadership of the early Islamic community.
    • Koran (Qur'an): Referred to as the "bible" or "bible 2.02.0" of Islam; the central religious text.
    • Muslims: The followers of the Islamic faith.
  • Life of the Prophet Muhammad (AD 571−632AD\,571-632):
    • Muhammad is recognized as the last prophet.
    • He was an Arab born in Mecca.
    • He received a divine message from Allah through the Angel Gabel (Gabriel) stating that Allah is the only God.
  • The Hegira (AD 622AD\,622):
    • Muhammad began preaching in Mecca.
    • Opposition arose as people became afraid that Islam would grow too strong and damage their local interests.
    • Consequently, Muhammad was forced to leave Mecca and moved to Medina. This migration is called the Hegira (AD 622AD\,622).
  • Establishment of the Faith:
    • Muhammad died in Medina.
    • While in Medina, he led an army to retake Mecca.
    • Upon returning to Mecca, he wiped out the idols in the Kaaba.
    • He built a mosque around the Kaaba known as the Forbidden Mosque.
  • Religious Texts:
    • Koran: The primary scripture.
    • Hadith: A group of people recorded Muhammad's sayings, which formed the Hadith.

Belief Systems: The Six Articles of Faith and Five Pillars

  • Six Articles of Faith (Beliefs):
    • 1.1. Believe in Allah.
    • 2.2. Believe in angels.
    • 3.3. Believe in prophets (specifically including Muhammad).
    • 4.4. Believe in religious texts (the Koran).
    • 5.5. Believe in Judgement Day (the day Allah will judge humanity).
    • 6.6. Believe in Predestination (the belief that all deeds are already predestined by Allah).
  • Five Pillars of Islam (Duties):
    • Shahada: The declaration of faith.
    • Salah: Prayer; involves kneeling down and specific ritual movements.
    • Zakat: Giving donations or charity.
    • Sawm: Fasting.
    • Hajj: The pilgrimage to Mecca, which a Muslim must complete at least once in their life.

The Spread of the Islamic Religion

  • Methods of Spread:
    • Conquests: In Medieval times, Islam spread through military conquests. In the early 14th14^{th} Century, the Ottoman Empire (an Islamic Empire) emerged. It conquered Constantinople in AD 1453AD\,1453, ending the East Roman Empire. People ruled by the Ottoman Empire were subsequently converted to Islam.
    • Trade and Commerce: Islam spread along trade routes between Europe and Asia.
      • Arabian merchants traveled the Silk Road, and some Muslims followed them to Central Asia to preach Islam.
      • In India, Sri Lanka, and Southeast Asia, Islam spread via the Maritime Silk Road. Ships of Arabian merchants stopped at various ports. Muslims preached in these regions, specifically in Sumatra and the Malay Peninsula.

Achievements of the Islamic Golden Age

  • Writing System: Use of the Arabic alphabet; the Koran served as a textbook for those learning the Arabic language.
  • Literature: Notable works like The One Thousand and One Nights, which includes stories such as "Aladdin and the Magic Lamp", "Sinbad the Sailor", and "Alibaba and the Forty Thieves."
  • Medicine:
    • Al-Zahrawi: Renowned as the best surgeon.
    • Islamic civilization identified and developed treatments for infectious diseases like smallpox and measles (menses).
    • Large-scale hospitals were constructed during this period.
  • Mathematics: The development and use of Arabic Numerals. These were originally Indian numerals that Muslims spread to Europe.
  • Architectural Art (Arabesque): Because Muslims do not worship idols, they developed Arabesque art. These are intricate patterns printed on ceilings and domes.
  • Chemistry (Alchemy): Driven by the desire to turn cheap materials into gold or silver. Methods learned included melting and filtration. A significant achievement was the creation of sulphuric acid.

The Four Major Groups in Early Hong Kong

  • 1.1. Cantonese (Puntis):
    • Origin: Came to Hong Kong during the Song Dynasty.
    • Location: Settled in the New Territories.
    • The Five Great Clans: Tang, Hau, Pang, Liu, and Man. These clans owned vast amounts of land.
    • Living Environment: Lived in walled villages (e.g., Kat Hing Wai) for protection against pirates. Features include tall brick walls, moats, watch towers, iron gates, and neat rows of houses with shrines.
    • Architecture:
      • Ancestral Halls: Used to worship ancestors and for meetings/festivals (e.g., Tang Ancestral Hall).
      • Study Halls: Built by richer clans to nurture boys for the Civil Service Examinations (e.g., Yi Tai Study Hall, Man Shek Tong Ancestral Hall which contains a study hall).
    • Occupation: Primarily farmers.
    • Beliefs: Worshipped many gods (Jade Emperor, Buddha, Kwun Yam, Wong Tai Sin). Festivals include Lantern Festival, Ching Ming, Dragon Boat, Mid-Autumn, and Chung Yeung. They also hold Jiao Festivals (Dajiao).
  • 2.2. Hakkas:
    • Origin: Came to Hong Kong later than the Puntis.
    • Location/Living: Lived in hillsides and walled villages (e.g., Tsang Tai Uk, Sam Tung Uk).
    • Language: Hakka dialect.
    • Occupation: Farming, stone working, and lime making.
    • Beliefs: Worshipped Kwun Yam and Kwan Tai. Known for the Big Bowl Feast (Pun Choi) during festivals and the Jiao Festival for peace. Conducted the Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance.
  • 3.3. Fuklos (Hoklos):
    • Origin: Southern Fujian and eastern Guangdong.
    • Language: Minnan dialect.
    • Living: Originally boat-dwellers; some later settled on land.
    • Occupation: Fishermen.
    • Beliefs: Worshipped Tin Hau and Pak Ti. Notable festivals include Tin Hau Festival, Pak Ti Festival, and Yu Lan Festival.
  • 4.4. Boat People (Tankas):
    • History: Resident in Hong Kong for a long time.
    • Language: Cantonese.
    • Living: Traditionally lived on boats in various harbors (e.g., Aberdeen); built stilt houses in places like Tai O.
    • Occupation: Fishermen and seamen.
    • Beliefs: Worshipped gods such as Tin Hau and Hung Shing. Celebrate the Tin Hau Festival.

Intangible Cultural Heritage in Hong Kong

  • Definition: Cultural heritage refers to traditions kept by a local community. UNESCO oversees "Intangible Cultural Heritage" (ICH), which includes traditional customs, festivals, songs, and techniques.
  • Five Types of ICH in Hong Kong:
    • 1.1. Oral traditions & expressions: Cantonese, Hakka dialect.
    • 2.2. Performing arts: Lion dance, Cantonese opera.
    • 3.3. Social practices, rituals, and festive events: Cheung Chau Jiao Festival, Tin Hau Festival (associated with boat people).
    • 4.4. Knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe: Herbal tea, bone setting.
    • 5.5. Traditional craftsmanship: Bamboo shed theatre building, Chinese dim sum making.
  • National Intangible Cultural Heritage (Recognized in 20112011):
    • Cheung Chau Jiao Festival.
    • Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance.
    • Chiu Chow Yu Lan Ghost Festival.
    • Tai O Dragon Boat Water Parade.

National ICH Spotlight: Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance

  • Origin: Historically a Hakka tradition in Tai Hang village, originally performed to drive away plagues.
  • Time and Place: Held during the Mid-Autumn Festival for three nights in the eighth lunar month in Tai Hang. A version now travels to Victoria Park for more people to see.
  • The Dragon's Construction:
    • Made of pearl straw and steel wires.
    • Measures 220220 feet long.
    • Comprising a head, body, and tail, with eyes decorated using two Chinese grapefruits.
    • Inserted with approximately 12,00012,000 longevity incense sticks.
  • The Ritual:
    • The dragon is "raised" and waved around Tai Hang.
    • It is waved by 3636 people at a single time, though over 300300 total people are needed to wave it throughout the entire night.
    • The ritual involves a visit to the Lin Fa Temple to worship Kwun Yam.
    • Return to Heaven: The dragon is ultimately taken to the Causeway Bay Typhoon Shelter to be washed away, representing the removal of bad luck.
  • Cultural Values:
    • Arouses a sense of belonging among Tai Hang residents.
    • Ensures the tradition is passed from generation to generation.
    • Attracts tourists and boosts local tourism.