The Hakka Folklore (Festival)

["Dixie" <Dixie@singnet.com.sg>]

The Hakka people originated from the Han people in central China. The
traditional festivals of the central Han people were observed by the
Hakkas. These festivals were a constant reminder to the Hakka people of
their ancestral relations to the Han people.

As the Hakka people travelled and settled in foreign lands, they "devised"
their own cultural practices. These practices were the outcome of the
Hakka' s adaptation to their new living environment. One good example of a
festival which the Hakka developed was the celebration of "Sun's birthday".
The celebration commemorates the death of the last Ming emperor; and has
little to do with the sun. This festival was started by the Hakka
descendants of the Ming court.

(extracted from the "From Guest People to Citizens" magazine, 1997)

- Dixie