Digital Exhibition Hub

THE HAKKA ODYSSEY

Identity, Culture, and Beyond | 客家

🔍 Click image to enlarge full exhibition map & artboard display[cite: 1]

Who are the Hakkas? (客家人)

Has 80 million of Hakkas worldwide have maintained a strong identity which has been forged, from the fourth century on, out of their struggles to survive among other Chinese during their migratory history over the centuries[cite: 1].

The Hakkas developed a closed-knit society characterized by fierce community loyalty and adaptability[cite: 1]. Since they did not practice female foot-binding like other communities in China, their women worked side-by-side alongside men in the southern provinces, occupying the highlands (unusable areas for transportation access), they became successful at niche markets (i.e. indigo farming)[cite: 1].

The Hakka-speaking Chinese are a minority Chinese (Han) group, forming about 5% of the population of China[cite: 1]. The Chinese term for Hakka, Ke Jia (客家), first printed mention in 1807, means the "Guest Family", reflecting the group's propensity to migrate[cite: 1]. The Hakka dialect is very homogeneous[cite: 1].

自家人

Chee Gah Ngin

"Our Own People" — The enduring spirit of kinship, mutual support, and diaspora solidarity that unites Hakkas globally[cite: 1].

The Five Major Historical Migrations

AD 317–873

1st Migration (AD 300)

At the start of the fall of the Western Jin due to the barbarian invasions, Hakkas from Gan River moved to the Fu River, southern Fu Lam, Qi River and Song Ji Provinces[cite: 1].

AD 874–1278

2nd Migration (AD 880)

The Huang Chao Rebellion triggers migration[cite: 1]. Hakkas migrate further south from Fu Lam towards southern On Mei, southeast Gong Gan, southwest Fuk Gan and to the north of Gong Dung Provinces[cite: 1].

AD 1277–1687

3rd Migration (AD 1200)

During the Song-Yuan Dynasties transition, due to the Jin invasion, Hakkas migrate to north and east of Gong Dung, establishing a Hakka heartland in the area[cite: 1]. The Hakkas assimilate with the Xiung and Gans, as well as the Min Yue community in the region[cite: 1].

AD 1688–1866

4th Migration (AD 1600)

With the uplifting of the ban on coastal habitation imposed in 1688, the Manchurians (1644–1888) force the Hakkas to migrate to See Chun, Chong Sar, Fu Lam and Saisan, as well as the central and coastal areas of Gong Dung[cite: 1]. The great numbers of Hakka migrants from 1880s to the 1900s also helped to expand the Hakka heartland in the region[cite: 1].

1867–Present

5th Migration (AD 1900)

The final Hakka Diaspora was at the end of the Hakka-Punti War in the Ling Nam area[cite: 1]. The migration resulted from the defeat of the Taiping Tian Guo, and many of the Hakkas had to flee to Fu Lam (Hainan Island), Kwang Si, Taiwan and overseas around the world[cite: 1].

Primary Heritage Pillars

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Explore the fundamental cultural pillars that define Hakka architectural innovation, women's social leadership, dialect preservation, and culinary endurance: