Hakka Ching Ming in Taiwan

[CHUNG Yoon-Ngan <chungyn@mozart.joinet.net.au>]

Hakka Ching Ming in Taiwan

The Hakkas, living in Miao2 Li4, about 100 kilometers southwest of
Taipei, the capital of Taiwan, began their Ching Ming much earlier than
others. Every year, from the 16th of the first moon, i.e one day after
the Yuan2 Xiao which is the 15th days after New Year, until the day of
Ching Ming, the Hakkas in Miao2 Li4, young and old went to their
ancestors graves to pray. According to the Solar calendar of this year
their Ching Ming was from 3/3/99 to 5/4/99. They have 34 days for their  
Heng Ching.

According to the locals the reasons behind this unsual Hakka traditon 
were: 

The Hakkas arrived in Taiwan much later then the Min. After settled in
Miao2 Li4 for one or two generations many Hakkas, in search of new land,
went to live in the other places. They opened up new land and settled down
there permently. During olden time, on Ching Ming day, they had to walk
for several days to their ancestral graves to pray. Ching Ming (which is
always on April the 5th or April the 6th when there is a leap year, in the
Solar Calendar) is always in Spring time which was the time to plow their
land. In order not to disturb their cultivations the Hakkas had Ching Ming
right after Yuan2 Xiao. 

Another reason was that many Hakkas had jobs outside Miao2 Li4. After
the New Year reunion and the Yuan2 Xiao they might as well went to their
ancestors graves to pray before they left home. 

Will try to tell you more about Hakka traditions.

CHUNG Yoon-Ngan.