By Coco Chung, a Hakka Descendant
Growing up in a Hakka community in Zhubei City, Hsinchu County, Taiwan, I was immersed in Hakka culture from a young age. While other children listened to Jay Chou, I was captivated by the melodic Hakka mountain songs. The elders in my family often conversed in Hakka, so even without formal practice, I naturally understood the language. Some of my most cherished childhood memories revolve around the annual Tian Chuan Day, when I would gather with my grandparents and cousins to enjoy rice cakes and sweet glutinous rice treats.
It wasn’t until I grew older that I came to appreciate the cultural significance of Tian Chuan Day, a unique Hakka festival rooted in the Chinese myth of Nuwa mending the heavens. According to Hakka tradition, this day is dedicated to honoring the goddess Nuwa for her deeds, with all labor paused to celebrate with family and friends. Traditionally, the festival was associated with various taboos. For instance, men refrained from plowing the fields to avoid harming the earth and causing water to seep out, while women avoided weaving, fearing that threading a needle might pierce the sky. A popular Hakka saying captures the spirit of this day:
“Whether you finish your work or not, Tian Chuan Day is a time to rest. Pause your labor and recharge for the new year.”
In Taiwan, the Hakka population comprises less than 20% of the total population. As generations pass, the younger population’s sense of Hakka identity has gradually diminished, contributing to a steady decline in the Hakka community. Surveys reveal that most children tend to identify as Hoklo when one parent is Hakka and the other Hoklo.
As a young person passionate about Hakka culture, I have been fortunate to participate in many Hakka-related events. The most unforgettable experience was attending the 2023 World Hakka Business Conference in Meizhou, Guangdong Province, China.
Meizhou, known as the “World Hakka Capital,” boasts a Hakka population exceeding 95% and serves as the ancestral homeland of many Taiwanese Hakka and Southeast Asian Hakka communities. Walking through the streets of Meizhou, I was surrounded by the sound of people speaking Hakka and the enticing aromas of Hakka delicacies, such as salted noodles, braised pork with preserved mustard greens, and rice wine chicken.
Coming from Taiwan, where Hakka culture is less prominent, I was deeply moved by this vibrant cultural atmosphere. Hakka culture embodies the wisdom of our ancestors, and this precious heritage deserves to be carefully preserved. Through this article, I hope to inspire more young Hakka individuals to rediscover and embrace the beauty and charm of their cultural roots.
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