Was Wu Feng a Hakka?

[CHUNG Yoon-Ngan <chungyn@mozart.collective.com.au>]

   Was Wu Feng a Hakka?
 
   Wu Feng was born in Ping He county in Fujian province in the early 
18th century during the reign of Emperor Qian Long (1736AD to 1795AD), 
the fourth Emperor of the Qing Dynasty (1644AD to 1911AD). The county of
Ping He is about sixty kilometers east of Dabu and seventy kilometers
southeast of Yongding. These two big towns of Dabu and Yongding are
the places of Hakkas. Although history books did not mention the dialect 
of Wu Feng I suspect that he was born Hakka. Could our Hakka friends in
Taiwan verify this? 

   When Wu Feng was only a young boy his family emigrated to Taiwan which
became a Prefecture of Fujian province in 1683AD after the army of the Qing
Dynasty had destroyed the dissident forces of Zheng Jing, son of Koxinga
(Zheng Cheng Gong). By nature Wu Feng was taciturn and he loved books. He
was a man of integrity and righteousness.

   When Wu Feng grew up and finished his studies he was employed as an
official in the prefectural administration of Taiwan. He rose to the rank
of aboriginal liaison officer. He was posted to Jia Yi, a town not far
from the mountainous region of Ali Shan which was mostly inhabited by the
head-hunting aboriginal tribe of Gao Shan (Takasago). An animistic people,
the aborigines would kill strangers who happened to wander into their
territory and use the heads of their victims as sacrifices to their gods.
Please note, this thing happened many a hundred years ago. 

   Wu Feng tried to bring reform and civilization to the aborigines in the
hope that they would give up their barbarous practices, but they were
stubborn and unyielding and did not appreciate the good work of Wu Feng.

  One day, Wu Feng disguised himself as an ordinary common man and
wandered into Ali Shan. Seeing a stranger rambling in the woods in their
territory, the Gao Shan people killed and decapitated him. They took his
head back to their villages. They placed his head on their sacrificial
altar. The Gao Shan peole were shocked and stunned to discover that it was
the head of their beloved and respected liaison officer, Wu Feng.

  The aborigines were overwhelmed by deep sadness and cursed themselves for
having taken the life of a much loved and honest man. In order to repent for
their sins they voluntarily gave up the evil practice of head-hunting.

   Wu Feng was posthumously honoured as the Kind Sage of the Gao Shan 
people. A town in the region of Ali Shan was named after Wu Feng in his  
honour.
  
  CHUNG Yoon-Ngan.    chungyn@mozart.collective.com.au