History Culture and Heritage of Early Hong Kong Region Study Guide

Beginning of Historic Times: The historic times of Hong Kong began in $214\,\text{BC}$ when the region became part of the Qin Dynasty.
Early Populations: Initially, Hong Kong was inhabited by ethnic minorities, specifically the Yue and Yao people.
Han Migration: Starting from the $10\text{th}$ century, Han people from the mainland began moving to Hong Kong, eventually becoming the major population in the region.
The Four Major Dialect Groups: Mainland migrants organized into four distinct groups based on dialect and lifestyle, forming unique communities:
- Cantonese: Arrived in the $10\text{text{th}}$ century from Guangdong. As the earliest settlers, they are known as 'Punti' (local). They settled in fertile plains in the northern New Territories and spoke the Wai Tau dialect.
- Hakka: The name means 'guest'. They migrated during the $17\text{th}$ century from Guangdong and Fujian. They spoke the Hakka dialect and settled in relatively distant, infertile regions of the New Territories.
- Boat people: Historically known as 'Tanka'. Their exact arrival time is unclear. They spoke Min dialects and Cantonese, living primarily on boats along the coasts of the New Territories and Hong Kong Island.
- Fuklo: Also known as 'Hoklo'. They migrated around the $11\text{th}$ century from Fujian and eastern Guangdong (Chaoshan and Hailufeng regions). They spoke Min dialects and settled along eastern waters, with most living on boats.

Definition of a Clan: A large group of families sharing the same ancestor and surname.
Punti Dominance: Of the approximately $40$ clans within the Punti dialect group, five became exceptionally powerful due to economic power (land and market ownership) and scholarly achievements.
Founding Ancestors and Settlement Details:
- The Tangs: Settled in Kam Tin during the $11\text{th}$ century. The founding ancestor was Tang Fu Hip, who was a Jinshi (imperial degree holder) during the Northern Sung Dynasty.
- The Haus: Settled in Sheung Shui during the $12\text{th}$ century. The founding ancestor was Hau Ng Long, a Jinshi during the Northern Sung Dynasty.
- The Pangs: Settled in Fanling during the $12\text{th}$ century. The founding ancestor was Pang Kwai. Their ancestor Pang Yin Nin served as a Jinshi and official during the Northern Sung Dynasty.
- The Lius: Settled in Sheung Shui during the $14\text{th}$ century. The founding ancestor was Liu Chong Kit. Ancestor Liu Kong and his four sons were important officials in the Northern Sung Dynasty. The Liu Man Shek Tong was built in their memory.
- The Mans: Settled in San Tin during the $15\text{th}$ century. The founding ancestor was Man Mang Sheung, who was a cousin of Man Tin Cheung, a famous official of the Southern Sung Dynasty.

Walled Villages (Cantonese and Hakka):
- Purpose: Built during the Ming and Qing Dynasties to protect against pirates and bandits.
- Defensive Features: Villages featured thick walls, moats, watchtowers at corners for guards on rotation, and a single narrow entrance protected by iron gates. The village name was typically carved above the entrance.
- Current Status: There are approximately $70$ walled villages today, mostly in Yuen Long, Kam Tin, Sheung Shui, and Fanling.
- Comparison: 'Punti' walled villages (e.g., in Fanling and Kam Tin) were generally larger. 'Hakka' walled villages were often smaller and more compact, comprising a single large house with outer walls where dozens of families lived (e.g., Tsang Tai Uk).
Stilt Houses (Boat people and Fuklo):
- Structure: Built along the coast using wood, grasses, and iron sheets.
- Distribution: The highest concentration is in Tai O.
- Regulation: The Hong Kong government began licensing these stilt houses in the early $20\text{th}$ century.

Cantonese and Hakka Livelihood:
- Farming: Settled in fertile plains/valleys to farm for a living.
- Markets: Villagers set up self-sufficient bazaars. While Hakka people also farmed, they were involved in salt making, brick making, quarrying, and stone cutting. Hakka originally traded in Cantonese-managed markets before establishing their own to bypass local clan control.
Boat people and Fuklo Livelihood:
- Marine Activities: Engaged in fishing, oyster farming, and pearl-diving (though pearl-diving declined after the Qing Dynasty).
- Shipping: Played a role in the shipping industry, transporting salt and other goods.
Salt Production Process:
1. Seawater flows into salt fields along the coast.
2. A gate is lowered to trap the water.
3. Sunlight evaporates the seawater.
4. Salt workers collect the remaining evaporated salt.

Focus on Education: Cantonese and Hakka villagers prioritized education to prepare children for civil service examinations.
Facilities: Ancestral halls and study halls served as schools.
Curriculum: Students were taught Chinese classics, history, Confucianism, and calligraphy.
Structure and Fees: Schools usually hired one teacher. Fees were paid in rice or goods. Timetables were not fixed, and students of various ages studied together. Education was almost exclusively for boys.

Ancestral Worship: A tradition originating in the Shang Dynasty ( $1600\,\text{BC} - 1046\,\text{BC}$ ). Residents held regular ceremonies to honor ancestors and pray for blessings.
Popular Religion: Worshipped figures like Chou Wong Yi Kung, Kwan Tai, and Pao Kung.
Sea Deities: Specifically for boat people and Fuklo, Tin Hau (goddess) and Hung Shing (Taoist god) were worshipped for safety at sea.
Annual Festival Calendar:
- $1\text{st}$ Month: Chinese New Year (family reunion, ancestral worship).
- $2\text{nd}$ Month: Hung Shing Festival (birthday of Hung Shing).
- $3\text{rd}$ Month: Ching Ming Festival (ancestral respect) and Tin Hau Festival (birthday of Tin Hau).
- $5\text{th}$ Month: Tuen Ng Festival (respecting Qu Yuan and driving away plagues).
- $7\text{th}$ Month: Yu Lan Festival / Hungry Ghost Festival (appeasing ghosts via Buddhist/Taoist rites).
- $8\text{th}$ Month: Mid-Autumn Festival (family reunion, harvest celebration).
- $9\text{th}$ Month: Chung Yeung Festival (worshipping ancestors).
- $11\text{th}$ Month: Winter Solstice Festival (family reunion, preparing winter food).

UNESCO Definition ( $2003$ ): The Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage defines heritage as practices, representations, expressions, knowledge, and skills recognized by communities as part of their cultural heritage.
Types of Heritage: Includes Physical (tangible) and Intangible heritage. This provides a sense of identity and continuity established across generations.