Thursday, March 14, 2013

Kejiaren - The Hakka

There are several ethnic groups in Taiwan, and one description of the distribution is:

70% Hoklo, descendants from the immigrants from Fujian,
           usually this group is called Taiwanese
15% Hakka, descendants from the immigrants from Southern China
13% Mainlanders, descendants from the Nationalist    
         refugees of 1949 from China
  2% Aboriginals, indigenous people

Although there has been some intermarriage, the origin of the children comes from the father.

Both the Hoklo and Hakka immigration started after the conquering of Taiwan by the Qing Dynasty from the remnants from the Ming Dynasty in 1684. 

In Taipei, there is a Hakka Cultural Center.

 The Cultural Center has a nice display of Hakka Culture and although they were mostly agrarian society but they are known for their handicrafts and dress.

There are famous for hand painted umbrellas,
They are one of the traditional Han Chinese ehtnic groups, but the women are expected to work, and they have a particular strong work ethic and appreciation for the written word. Here is the marriage "sedan chair" with the gifts for the brides.
 But I think they are most known in Taiwan with their distinctive clothing. They have their own style.
 The blue color is their mark.
 As times have changed they have moved their sewing expertise into the new fashions.
 
 


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