Elizabeth Lominska Johnson and Graham E. Johnson
- Published in print:
- 2019
- Published Online:
- January 2020
- ISBN:
- 9789888455898
- eISBN:
- 9789882204331
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Hong Kong University Press
- DOI:
- 10.5790/hongkong/9789888455898.003.0003
- Subject:
- Anthropology, Asian Cultural Anthropology
Tsuen Wan’s history as a Hakka district dates to the 18th century, after the lifting of the coastal expulsion order in the early Qing dynasty. It was poor and rugged, with some reclamation on the ...
More
Tsuen Wan’s history as a Hakka district dates to the 18th century, after the lifting of the coastal expulsion order in the early Qing dynasty. It was poor and rugged, with some reclamation on the coast, and was famous for its pineapples, which could be taken by boat to Hong Kong Island. A daily coastal market developed, and connections to urban Hong Kong grew as industry developed. The district was self-governing through a body attached to the central Tianhou temple, and relatively peaceful, with many small lineages. Wealthier families often hired long-term workers to help with farming and business, but women were also known for their hard work in agriculture, and kin relationships through women helped in creating a tight-knit society. There also were strong bonds among women, expressed through their laments and mountain songs.Less
Tsuen Wan’s history as a Hakka district dates to the 18th century, after the lifting of the coastal expulsion order in the early Qing dynasty. It was poor and rugged, with some reclamation on the coast, and was famous for its pineapples, which could be taken by boat to Hong Kong Island. A daily coastal market developed, and connections to urban Hong Kong grew as industry developed. The district was self-governing through a body attached to the central Tianhou temple, and relatively peaceful, with many small lineages. Wealthier families often hired long-term workers to help with farming and business, but women were also known for their hard work in agriculture, and kin relationships through women helped in creating a tight-knit society. There also were strong bonds among women, expressed through their laments and mountain songs.
