Local China -- Minxi Hakka

Author: Xie Zhongguang et al
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2003-11-01
Features: The term "Western Fujian" in this book refers to a cultural geographical concept, centered around the Tingzhou Prefecture during the Ming and Qing dynasties, extending eastward to the inhabited areas in the western part of Zhangzhou Prefecture adjacent to Tingzhou. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, Tingzhou Prefecture governed eight counties: Ninghua, Changting, Shanghang, Wuping, Qingliu, Liancheng, Yongding, and Guihua, with its administrative seat in Changting. The inhabited areas in the western part of Zhangzhou primarily refer to the western townships of Nanjing, Pinghe, and Zhaoyan counties under Zhangzhou City. Since the 1950s, Fujian Province has undergone significant administrative adjustments. The five counties of the old Tingzhou—Changting, Shanghang, Wuping, Liancheng, and Yongding—were merged with the two counties of Longyan and Zhangping to form a larger administrative region, initially known as the Longyan Special District or Longyan Prefecture, which was recently changed to Longyan City. Guihua County was renamed Mingxi County and, together with Ninghua and Qingliu counties, was placed under the jurisdiction of Sanming Prefecture, which has also been renamed Sanming City. However, the eight counties of the old Tingzhou remain vividly remembered as a cultural unit with unique characteristics. The Taiwanese compatriots and overseas Chinese who migrated to Taiwan or Southeast Asia during the Ming and Qing dynasties regard Tingzhou as their eternal spiritual homeland. This book focuses on the old Tingzhou as its core, introducing the cultural features of the in Western Fujian, which may offer some solace to overseas compatriots longing for their homeland. Some scholars argue that the are descendants of pure-blooded Central Plains clans, denying the intermingling of bloodlines and cultural integration between the southward Han migrants and the Min-Yue indigenous people and other ethnic minorities. Others believe that all ancestors passed through Ninghua's Shibi before migrating to various regions, or that culture is synonymous with tulou culture, using subjective interpretations of tulou culture to provide an abstract summary of culture. Such conclusions are unduly simplistic. In my view, culture and the spirit did not arise out of thin air or represent a mere continuation of the thought and character of some ancestors who held high positions or great fame. Rather, they were shaped by the living environment, lifestyles, and struggles of the people, and were gradually accumulated, developed, and evolved through the thoughts, emotions, will, character, and interests of generations of people. Therefore, in this book, I strive to present the rich and diverse life of the people through various concrete examples, avoiding simplistic interpretations of popular views. The book puts forward some personal insights and new perspectives, which may be right or wrong—only time and readers will tell.