Distribution of Kaohsiung Hakka

【Derivation of the Hakka People】【Origin of Taiwan Hakka】

【Distribution of Kaohsiung Hakka】

In the Ching Dynasty, Kaohsiung City was only a small fishing harbor on the seashore. Old Town (today’s Tsoying) and New Town (today’s Fengshan) were more prosperous districts where Fengshan County Town was located. King San Shan Temple, the Hakka belief center, was present in these two districts. It could be seen from these temples that the Hakka people made contribution to the development of these two places. “King San Shan Temple” appeared in today’s Yen Cheng and Yu Chang districts as well. It is perceived though Kaohsiung was not home to the Hakka ethnic group in the Ching Dynasty, the Hakka ancestors were not absent in the history of development.

In terms of the place of origin, the Hakka ethnic group moved to Kaohsiung City respectively from Taoyuan, Hsinchu and Miaoli in the north, Tungshih in the middle and Meinung and Pingtung in the south, also known as “Northern Hakka”, “Middle Hakka” and “Southern Hakka”. Northern Hakka first moved to Kaohsiung City during the early Japanese-occupied period ; Middle Hakka, then during the middle Japanese-occupied period ; Southern Hakka, next during the rear Japanese-occupied period and even after war.

The Northern Hakka people moving to Kaohsiung City, mostly being tenant farmer, gathered in today’s San Min District extended over Kaohsiung County Niaosung Hsiang. San Min District became the most-populated place for the Hakka ethnic group. Meanwhile, they brought the local gods and held the magnificent services at “the Yimin Temple” which originally existed in Taiwanese Hakka village only.

The Middle Hakka people of Tungshih moved to Kaohsiung City engaging in the businesses of transportation and lumber. “Kaohsiung Transportation Co., Ltd.” involved in the business of mass transportation is operated by Tungshih Hakka people.

The Southern Hakka centering in “Liutui” of Pingtung still follow the Han people’s spirit of “family tradition of cultivation and reading”. It is slower to accumulate the wealth by means of farming but the habit of reading remains unchanged. A lot of young dependents, the graduates of government-funded teacher’s college, are appointed to the teaching posts and even the numerous principals come from Liutui Hakka. That is the feature which the Liutui Hakka possesses here. In addition, the Southern Hakka people serve for the governmental agencies.

◎Schedule of Hakka ethnic residence in Kaohsiung metropolitan area

Sequence No.	District	Percentage	Sequence No.	District	Percentage
1	San Min Dist., Kaohsiung City	43.29	10	Chien Chin Dist., Kaohsiung City	2.889
2	Fengshan City, Kaohsiung Hsien	11.414	11	Yen Cheng Dist., Kaohsiung City	2.34
3	Ling Ya Dist., Kaohsiung City	10.418	12	Tashe Hsiang, Kaohsiung Hsien	1.504
4	Nan Tzu Dist., Kaohsiung City	5.253	13	Taliao Hsiang, Kaohsiung Hsien	0.931
5	Chien Chen Dist., Kaohsiung City	2.134	14	Niaosung Hsiang, Kaohsiung Hsien	0.716
6	Hsin Hsing Dist., Kaohsiung City	2.038	15	Jenwu Hsiang, Kaohsiung Hsien	0.454
7	Ku Shan Dist., Kaohsiung City	3.82	16	Chi Chin Dist., Kaohsiung City	0.048
8	Tsoying Dist., Kaohsiung City	3.582	17	Meinung Hsiang, Kaohsiung Hsien	0.048
9	Hsiao Kang Dist., Kaohsiung City	3.247	18	Yenchao Hsiang, Kaohsiung Hsien	0.048

◤Existing three of ancient Hakka three-sided houses made of red brick remain undamaged.

◤Chang’s ancient house, situated beside the parking lot of Summit Hotel, is the ancestral home to the Summit Hotel’s family. At present, nobody populated there and its partial roof collapses.

The ancestral home of Kaohsiung former Speaker Huang, Chi-Chuan’s family is located at No. 47, Chien Hsing Rd. where the descendants visit to burn incense and revere the gods every day though nobody lives there. A lot of plaques are hanging in the hall for the purposes of commemoration and appreciation. It is obvious that the family is closely related to local political circle. As the ancient house was renovated over thirty years ago, the western-style Terrazzo floor and Facial Washed Terrazzo semi-wall were additionally built. Up to date, the door, window lattice and engraved words are still clear and distinct.

Chuang’s ancient home, located at No. 600, Chiu Ju 1^st Rd., remains the most complete three-sided house among three houses and is a Hakka-native structure as well. In the end of 1999, three units and five households lived there. Mr. Chuang, Hsun-Ho, the senior resident, narrates that the construction of ancient house has over fifty years of history. Its design entriely conforms to the Hakka standard and construction follows the example of Chungli ancient house made of hard stone. On two walls of the hall is the couplet stating “Three cardinal guides and five constant virtues are prevailing in ancient and modern times. Why should we establish our mind from different approaches? The numerous schools of thinkers and tutors have their own views.”. The small windows are equipped above two sides of central door. Wall ornaments on the gable of left and right side rooms remain remarkably perfect.