Category Archives: Events

Many places, one people

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Opening reception at the Toronto Hakka Conference

Just back from the Toronto Hakka Conference 2012.  This past weekend I spent time with Hakka Chinese from all over the world learning about our shared culture and history.

The keynote speaker Professor Shiu Loon Kong said that Hakka is a spirit, not a people. It dominates and facilitates people’s thinking and behavior. Hakka people were open-minded, proud, and strong. They emigrated all over the world. You could see that in the attendees who had migrated from India, Mauritius, Hong Kong, Jamaica, Trinidad, Surinam, Taiwan, and  Malaysia.

In sessions we learned about the Hakka life in these countries. Speakers introduced how to trace our family tree and make lei cha (pounded tea).  I showed a slideshow of Hakka food from around the world. We heard traditional mountain songs as well as Hakka pop music.

Thanks especially to chairs Carol Wong and Professor Keith Lowe for organizing such a thoughtful and educational conference. It was truly a special experience for the “guest people” who built China.

Toronto Hakka Conference

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Map of Hakka provinces in China as seen at Toronto Conference 2008

If you want to learn more about the Hakka culture and what it means to be Hakka, register for the Toronto Hakka Conference.  This conference takes place once every four years. I went to the 2008 conference and met more Hakkas than I had ever seen before.  I had grown up in a small town where we were the only Chinese. I always felt we were different. At the conference, Hakka people surrounded me who shared the same history.  Here I had found my family, people like me. I was no longer an outsider.

From June 29 to July 1, 2012 at York University there will be sessions on Hakka from all parts of the world, history, genealogy, architecture, and food.  I will be speaking in a session on Hakka Cuisine, Ancient and Modern with Prof. Shiu Loon Kong.  Register soon.