2012 Spring Banquet

Spring Banquet, 17 March，2012

Yeung Dak Physical Culture Dragon and Lion Dance Association: Information on kei lun

You may have noticed an interesting animal joining the lions in welcoming in the new year. Around town, in this year of the dragon, you may see more dragon dances by local martial art clubs but one dance you may have rarely seen is that of the kei lun. As you may know, there are four Chinese mythical creatures: the Dragon, his consort the Phoenix, the Giant Tortoise and the Kei Lun. Also known as the “Qi Lin” in Mandarin or in Japanese, “kirin”, many people have translated the kei lun as a “unicorn” – which is not entirely accurate.

As the story goes, in the 27th century BC, Emperor Fu Hsi was sitting on the banks of the Huang He river when a kei lun emerged from the water, which he later described as resembling a deer, with an ox’s tail, horse’s hooves and a short, fleshy horn. The kei lun also had magical symbols on its back which inspired the Emperor to develop the first written language of China. The kei lun is said to be very gentle and refined in its mood and behavior – SO gentle, in fact, that it is also said that it can walk on grass without crushing a single blade and walk on water without causing any ripples.

Though not exclusive to, the kei lun is strongly associated with the Hakka because, as one explanation goes, of the historical relationship between the Hakka, or “guest people”, with the Punti of southern China. Being that the Punti would choose to perform the lion or dragon more often than the kei lun, the Hakka felt that the kei lun would be the perfect complimentary creature to perform at celebrations that would not cause conflict between the two groups of people.

In Hawaii, it’s not uncommon that many people have never seen this type of dance. As I am told, it is very difficult and physically demanding to perform because of the different type of stance and technique required by skilled martial artists. We have been fortunate to have found the one group in Hawaii that does perform the kei lun. 

Tsung Tsin Association: Club History

The mission of the Tsung Tsin Association of Hawaii is to promote the exchange of knowledge among the Hakka peoples, develop a spirit of cooperation among the Hakka in Hawaii and throughout the world, and promote education, charity, and benevolence.

In 1911, Mr. Young Kin Leong, and Mr. Wong You gathered a group of friends to form an association of Hakka people. They even traveled to the Neighbor Islands to enlist support from Hakka residents there. They were finally successful in organizing the Nin Huo Fui Gwan also known as the Human Harmony Association, with Mr. Young serving as its first president. BUT they didn't stop there - the two enterprising gentlemen began canvassing door-to-door for funds to build an association headquarters. When they had amassed $5,000, they were able to purchase property on Kukui Street for the association’s first clubhouse.

In 1921, a parent organization of Hakka people was formed in Hong Kong. Chapters quickly spread throughout the world. In 1937, Nin Huo Fui Gwan applied for and received a charter from the Territory of Hawaii using the new name, Tsung Tsin Association, in anticipation of linking up with the Hong Kong organization. Mr. Kam Wah Fon became the first president of the renamed organization. 

That same year, Mr. Kam exchanged the Kukui Street property for the site of the former Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii headquarters at 1159 Maunakea Street which still serves as the association’s headquarters today. On July 22, the new building was dedicated with a formal dinner party which included the lighting of 42,000 firecrackers and attended by 700 guests. That must’ve been some party!

Speaking of history, you may have noticed a spiral-bound book display up here of very old records. These photocopies are of the actual pages from the Family Registry in our Archives dating back to 1921. As part of our ongoing efforts at preserving our club’s history, our Communications Chair, Luther Chong, was able to make hard and soft copies of the deteriorating ledger. We have one copy of the 121-page book here for general viewing and a PDF version available for those who would like a copy. Please see Luther or email us at tsingtsinhnl@gmail.com if you are interested in getting a copy. Our contact information can be found on the back of your program along with our website for more information about our Association as well as to see a list of upcoming events and activities.

Hakka women

 As we all know, Hakka women never bound their feet to make them small and “attractive” even under the greatest social pressure during the Qing dynasty. Such custom was not compatible with their role demanded by their lifestyle and environment. They had to take care of the home, the family, and the fields, since the men were constantly preparing to defend against any military invasion. 

As a result, it was not unusual for Hakka women to own land and in times of the absence of the men, the elderly Hakka women in the household were left with the authority of decision-making for the whole family. Thus developed their independence, liberalness and equality in sharing the decisions in the family. Without such support and respect, the venturesome Hakka men would not have been as successful as they were during the massive migration hundreds of years ago and even today.

Chinese painter Deng Ming has devoted a majority of his works to the Hakka people and in particular, to the women. He is quoted in a December 2001 China Today article as saying, "Chinese women are both hardworking and intelligent, and are best represented by Hakka women. The Hakka women are indeed very capable, never regarding their jobs as drudgery, but feeling fulfilled in their capability to create- through their labor- a stable and comfortable environment for their children and husbands. The characters of Hakka women are admirably philosophical.” 

Tsung_Tsing_Spring_Banquet_2012

English translation of an article in a Chinese newspaper in Honolulu

about the Tsung Tsin Association’s Spring Banquet in 2012

Translated by Dr. Oliver Lee

Tsung Tsin Association Spring Banquet

By reporter Kao Cheng-hua

Honolulu dispatch   

           The Tsung Tsin Association of Hawaii on June 17 hosted an evening banquet at the Hee Hing Restaurant to celebrate the 94th anniversary of the Association’s founding. There were 20 tables with seated guests from the Chinese community in Honolulu. Representing the Taipei Office of Economy and Culture in Honolulu was Mr. Shen Chih-yen,who was invited as an honoured guest.

           The Tsung Tsin Association is of the Hakka ethnic group. The earliest origins of the Hakka people were in the environs of the city of Luo Yang and the Luo River in North China, which is why they are sometimes called “the Luo fellows”. The words “hak” and “ka”, originally meant  “guests“ and “homes”, as contained in the phrase “going to other lands as guests to establish homes”. The syllables together later became the self designation of these migrants. Their Hakka culture can be found in many places in the world.

           In 1911, Hakka people living in Hawaii established an organization that could look after the welfare of their community. It was called Nin Fo Fui Kon. In 1937 the name was changed to Tsung Tsin Association, which became a branch of the worldwide General Tsung Tsin Association.

           The banquet began at 6:30, initiated with performances by two simulated lions and one simulated unicorn accompanied by drums and cymbals and gathering greens. They were of the Yang Teh Dragon and Lion Association.

           The banquet was emceed by the Assistant English Secretary Kristine Duong.  It was chaired by President Keith Lim, who briefly explained the history of the Association. He also explained the Association’s creation of a website that can facilitate the search of ancestral roots by Association members. He mentioned a Hakka person on Maui who used that website and found the origins of his own ancestors. Mr. Lim encouraged fellow Hakka to utilize that website.

           Mr. Shen Chih-yen in his speech mentioned that his government has established a Hakka Commission to handle Hakka affairs and preserve Hakka culture. In Taiwan there is also a Hakka TV station. Also each year Taiwan conducts a Hakka Culture Camp which invites Hakka youths from abroad to participate in learning about Hakka culture. He encouraged Hakka people in Hawaii to contact the Taiwan Office of Economy and Culture to learn about the program of this Camp and the procedure for applying.  The United Chinese Association of Hawaii and the Chinese Chamber of Commerce have sent them their congratulations regarding this Camp.

           At the banquet a former Association President, Sandra Siu, was invited to sing the Hakka songs “Eighteen Maidens and One Flower” and “The True Test of Love”. Also Emily Leong performed a hula dance. About 9 p.m., the First Vice President Yang Duong representing the Board of Directors went around to toast with the guests, then everyone joined in singing a Hawaiian song to bring the banquet to a close