Hakka Women and Costumes

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

The Hakkas lived in mountain ranges and had small fields to work on. Thus,
the men sought their livelihood in the towns whilst the women tended to the
fields. The Hakka women never bound their feet because of the strenuous
labour they had to do in the fields. With regards to Hakka women having
unbound feet, there is a legend about a Hakka woman general, Hong Xuanjiao,
who fought under the Taiping leader of Hong Xiuquan. The former's female
soldiers were brave fighters and defeated the imperial army many times.
Feeling frustrated, the Qing commanders cursed them as "big-feet savage
women".
According to the Hakka tradition, the women in the countryside had to do
the following duties: farm work, household chores and needlework. Although
they lived frugally, they sent their sons to school despite their difficult
financial situation. Even during the Anti-Japanese War, many Hakka women
supported their sons through school knowing fully that knowledge was
necessary if one wanted a foothold in society.
>From young, the Hakka girls developed the habit of industry and bearing
hardship. They were always admired for their ability to carry heavy loads.
At home, the Hakka women took care of her family. They would often set
aside the good dishes for the elderly, their husbands and sons; rather than
for themselves.
The clothes worn by the Hakka women were simple and practical. This was
because they had to engage in manual labour throughout the day. The colours
of their dresses were rich. The Hakka women wore a kind of big hat known as
the "Hakka hat". These hats were beautiful and protected them from the
scorching sun.

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

- Dixie