53.
Ever and swamps neglected by the agricultural Puntis. since the Hakkas came in contact with the British, they have been friends. Those acquainted with the history of the island under British rule will recall that in 1857, a coolie corps of 750 Hakkas did splendid service to our troops in the war.
Later than the Hakkas came a fierce and daring race, the Hoklos. They were sailors to a man, natural smugglers and pirates, and the terror of the Chinese coast-guards. Shaukiwan, Tokawan, Hunghom and Yaumati were their early settlements.
To the Puntis, Hakkas and Hoklos there came, centuries later, the Tanka, or boat people, the pariahs of South China, always the trusty allies of foreigners and a Jack-of-all-trades race. It would be hard to conjure up a more utterly banned race than the Tankas.
The activities of the Tankas, Puntis, Hakkas and Hoklos in Hongkong will be dealt with to-morrow.
Yesterday's article dealt with the early settlement of Puntis, Hakkas and Hoklos on the island of Hongkong, and concluded with the arrival of the Tankas, or boat people.
The Tankas, as I pointed out yesterday, were the pariahs of South China. They were allowed neither to settle on shore, compete at examinations, or inter-marry with the rest of the people. Despised by their own race, they were nevertheless the friends of the foreigners. Although death was their inevitable fate if captured, they acted as pilots and provision caterers to British war-vessels and merchant-men. The social ban on the Tankas has lifted slightly in recent years. Some of their women have married into Punti, Hakka or Hoklo families, and some of the menfolk have become people of substance. To-day the Tankas may still be seen in their junks and sampans in Hongkong waters, living by the sea and on the sea.
That the village communities of these greatly differing settlers were large and flourishing, we have fortunately a record in the period of British occupation. The census of 1841 gives the land population at 3,650. Of these, 2,550 were villagers and fishermen in some 20 localities - Shaukiwan and Wongneichung leading as to numbers.
Anent this last village, there is a curious tradition, or superstition that Happy Valley was meant to be the business centre of Hongkong, but the Chinese traders strenuously contended that its fungshui was malignant and wholly unacceptable. The theory of bad fungshui, it has been stated, was due to the high price of the land,
Far back in the Ming Dynasty (1468-1628), the Puntis formed a settlement at Wongneichung, but all trace of it has now been swept away by modern flats, shops, and recreation grounds. Old lines of British military cantonments and pirate holds may still be traced, however, in the direction of Wongneichung Gap. This area must have once been the site of an important settlement, for there are records that visitors were shown over its ruins in the seventies.
庫
53.
Ever
and swamps neglected by the agricultural Puntis. since the Hakkas came in contact with the British, they have been friends. Those acquainted with the history of the island under British rule will recall that in 1857, à coolie corps of 750 Hakkas did splendid service to our troops in the war.
Later than the Hakkas came a fierce and daring race, the Hoklos. They were sailors to a man, natural smugglers and pirates, and the terror of the Chinese coast-guarda. Shaukiwan, Tokawan, Hunghom and Yaumati were their early settlements.
To the Puntis, Hakkas and Hoklos there came, centuries later, the Tanka, or boat people, the pariahs of South China, always the trusty allies of foreigners and a Jack- of-all-trades race. It would be hard to conjure up a more utterly banned race than the Tankas.
The activities of the Tankas, Puntis, Hakkas and Hoklos in Hongkong will be dealt with to-morrow.
Yesterday's article dealt with the early settlement of Puntis, Hakkas and Hoklos on the island of Hongkong, and concluded with the arrival of the Tankas, or boat people.
?
The Tankas, as I pointed out yesterday, were the pariahs of South China. They were allowed neither to settle on shore, compete at examinations, or inter-marry with the rest of the people. Despised by their own race, they were nevertheless the friends of the foreigners. Although death was their inevitable fate if captured, they acted as pilots and provision. çaterers to British war-vessels and merchant- men. The social ban on the fankas has lifted slightly in recent years. Some of their women have married into Punti, Hakka or Hoklo families, and some of the menfolk have become people of substance. To-day the Tankas may still be seen in their junks and sampana in Hongkong waters, living by the sea and on the sea.
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·2:,,
*
That the village communities of these greatly differing settlers were large and flourishing, we have fortunately 8 record in the period of British occupation. The census of 1841 gives the land population at 3,650. Of these, 2,550 were villagers and fishermen in some 20 localities - Shaukiwan and Wongneichung leading as to numbers.
Anent this last village, there is a curious tradition, or superstition that Happy Valley was meant to be the business centre of Hongkong, but the Chinese traders strenuously contended that its fungshui was malignant and wholly unacceptable. The theory of bad fungshui, it has been stated, was due to the high price of the land,
Far back in the Ming Dynasty (1468-1628), the Puntis formed a settlement at Wongneichung, but all trace of it has now been swept away by modern flats, shops, and recreation grounds. Old lines of British military cantonments and pirate holds may still be traced, however, in the direction of Wongneichung Gap. This area must have once been the site of an important settlement, for there are records that visitors were shown over its ruine in the seventies,
4
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