THANK YOU HAKKA

Thank you Hakka, for your contribution to the beauty of Taiwan. In plains and low-elevation mountains of Taiwan, the ethnic group of Hakka has created a traditional rural culture that respects the nature, sustainability and sharing. Through literature, arts and music, Hakka people have created the contemporary mainstream values together with other ethnic groups to inspire the cultural creativity and facilitate the development in civil society. Originated from Chinese cultural traditions, the history of Hakka culture already became the colors of the island and, in response to the idea of world Hakka village, is previous experience of human civilization.

History of Hakka

It is often heard that “Hakka people are Han people from central plain of China and, after five big migrations, they are distributed to corners of the world.” Has anyone thought about who made this statement? Apart therefrom, are there any other assertions? How Hakka people of different times and places narrate their history? Through “Constructing History and Ethnicity”, “Historical Events and the Interpretation of Yi” and “Local History and New Life History”, this unit will firstly talk about the ethnicity and formation of Hakka and then discuss a variety of historical sources related thereto.

The World and Hakka

Over the last two hundred some years, southern Chinese migrants migrated to the world’s five contents and most of them reached South-East Asia. One of the migrant ethnic groups is Hakka. Although their different living experiences have created different Hakka culture, the descendants thereof all recognize themselves as Hakka people. From themes of “Global Distribution of Hakka People”, “Variety of Hakka Culture” and “Global Hakka Network”, we will have an insight into the variety of Hakka people around the world and the global network established by Taiwanese Hakka People.

Civic Life and Hakka

In plains and low-elevation mountains, Taiwanese Hakka people has created a traditional rural culture that respects the nature, sustainability and sharing in the country. This cultural mien is shown in share-holding worship associations, settlement buildings, ordinary life, religious beliefs and the world view that combines human and nature. This unit will not only present Hakka people’s civic life and characteristics of their culture through “The Everyday Practice of Hakka People’s World View” and “Cultural Modernity of Civic Life”, but also bring out cultural ideas implied thereby and examples of contemporary practice.

Culture and Hakka

Over the last hundred some years, Taiwan was challenged by contemporary civilization brought by different political entities and the entire sociocultural environment was severely impacted thereby. Through literature, music and Chinese opera, Hakka artists repeatedly interpreted the era. The entire society was therefore reminded and inspired with self-reflections and cultural creativity

Civic Society and Hakka

By participating in a number of social activities, such as the peasant movement, labor movement, opposition of improper levy of urban plan and anti-dam movement, Taiwanese Hakka people succeeded in uniting with local residents to preserve local culture; create contemporary mainstream values; pursue equity in and sustainability of the Taiwanese society; and demonstrate their roles of being a contemporary citizen beyond the boundaries of ethnic groups and local limitations.

Instructed by: Hakka Affair Council

Organized by: Taiwan Hakka Culture Development Center

No.6, Tongke South Road, Jiouhu Village, Tongluo Township, Miaoli County

Telephone: 037-985558

Fax: 037-985991

E-mail Address: thcdcservice@mail.hakka.gov.tw