Activity Outcome
Hakka farming activity held in Pingtung
- Source:客家文化發展中心
- Publication Date:2023/07/07
- Last updated:2023/07/25
- Count Views:1368
With the summer vacation underway, it is once again the harvest season. Liudui Hakka Cultural Park organized a farming activity on July 1, the first day of the summer vacation, to harvest rice after nearly four months of incubation.
The harvesting activity was held early in the morning to avoid the scorching hot sun in Pingtung. Following the traditional rituals performed by Hakka ancestors in the past, the participants worshipped Bagong (伯公), the God of Earth, to thank him for having a bumper harvest, conveying Hakka people’s respect for Heaven and appreciation for blessings.
To celebrate its 100th anniversary this year, the Pingtung Distillery specially collaborated with the Liugdui Hakka Cultural Park to use the harvested rice to co-produce a Hakka rice wine that is rich and distinct in flavor.
After instructor Lin Bo-cheng (林柏丞) from Wanluan Township demonstrated how to cut rice crops, the participants went into the paddy fields to experience the farm work.
The children who had participated in the activity of planting rice seedlings in March returned to the Park to observe those small seedlings they had planted grow into the golden ears of rice as well as experience the process of rice harvesting.
Visitors were able to get the hands-on experience of using handmade tools to remove rice husks, which allowed them to better appreciate the rigorous efforts of farmers in a traditional agricultural society. They cannot understand “how much hard work has gone into each and every grain of rice in the bowl” until they realize how complicated the procedure is for harvesting rice. The activity held by THCDC helps achieve the purpose of food and agriculture education.
At the end of the farming activity, Liudui Hakka Cultural Park prepared crispy popped rice and Hakka style grass jelly as snacks for the participants, re-creating the childhood memories of many senior members.