Hing Hwa: The history and stories of the Hinghwa
Hing Hwa: The history and stories of the Hinghwa
Jason Ong
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Author: Jason Ong
Publication Date: 01/06/2022
Publisher: 新加坡莆仙同乡联合会
The Hinghwa clan in Singapore used to have their vibrant activities centred around their enclave in and around the Sungei Road and Weld Road area. However, since the resettlement of the enclave, the once-vibrant people and their exciting cultural festivals seem to have vanished. The aim of this book is to address the issue before an interesting culture and dynamic people disappear completely.
Historically, the Hinghwa people played very significant roles in two of ancient China's three golden ages: the Tang and Song Dynasty. Subsequent dynasties after the Song Dynasty were the beginning of the most difficult times for the Hinghwa people. I call it The Long Winter. It took some 700 years of immense suffering before they were able to flee to the Nanyang. I call it the Rainbow Bridge Across The Nanyang. Many crossed it, albeit with varying degrees of difficulty, and some did not make it through alive.
Those who reached the end of the Rainbow Bridge soon turned their new hinterland into an economic powerhouse. Although most Hinghwa started off as rickshaw pullers, they steadily progressed to trishaw riders, taxi drivers, bus drivers, and motor mechanics.
The vehicle that propelled them into the business world was the humble bicycle; many became bicycle repairmen and eventually owners of bicycle shops. Almost every bicycle shop in the region was owned by the Hinghwa. This eventually morphed into all kinds of automobile spare parts, shipping, banking & finance, property and others. They brought into the region a tradition of learning and giving as they set up schools, temples, and medical institutions to care for the local people as well as their clan members.
I grew up in the heart of the Hinghwa enclave at Weld Road in Singapore, and am quite familiar with the Hinghwa culture, traditions, and the way people lived and did business. However, the stories of our Hinghwa from Indonesia, Malaysia (Sabah & Sarawak), Brunei Darussalam, Southern Thailand, and other countries are no less fascinating and I am privileged to include their stories here.
The book is divided into five parts. Part One discusses the origin of the Chinese, taking us through Chinese civilisation and the relevant dynasties. Part Two discusses the origin of the Hinghwa people, taking us through the highs and lows of the Hinghwa in ancient China. Part Three discusses the diaspora and renaissance of the Hinghwa people in the Nanyang and how they triumphed over many adversities. Part Four tells the stories of the pioneers and entrepreneurs. Finally, Part Five covers the culture, cuisine, and attractions of Puxian.
It is not possible to tell the entire history of the Hinghwa people as their story stretches over five millennia. I do hope, however, to offer a brief history and insights into the lives and minds of the amazing people known as the Hinghwa.
Author: Jason Ong
Publication Date: 01/06/2022
Publisher: 新加坡莆仙同乡联合会
The Hinghwa clan in Singapore used to have their vibrant activities centred around their enclave in and around the Sungei Road and Weld Road area. However, since the resettlement of the enclave, the once-vibrant people and their exciting cultural festivals seem to have vanished. The aim of this book is to address the issue before an interesting culture and dynamic people disappear completely.
Historically, the Hinghwa people played very significant roles in two of ancient China's three golden ages: the Tang and Song Dynasty. Subsequent dynasties after the Song Dynasty were the beginning of the most difficult times for the Hinghwa people. I call it The Long Winter. It took some 700 years of immense suffering before they were able to flee to the Nanyang. I call it the Rainbow Bridge Across The Nanyang. Many crossed it, albeit with varying degrees of difficulty, and some did not make it through alive.
Those who reached the end of the Rainbow Bridge soon turned their new hinterland into an economic powerhouse. Although most Hinghwa started off as rickshaw pullers, they steadily progressed to trishaw riders, taxi drivers, bus drivers, and motor mechanics.
The vehicle that propelled them into the business world was the humble bicycle; many became bicycle repairmen and eventually owners of bicycle shops. Almost every bicycle shop in the region was owned by the Hinghwa. This eventually morphed into all kinds of automobile spare parts, shipping, banking & finance, property and others. They brought into the region a tradition of learning and giving as they set up schools, temples, and medical institutions to care for the local people as well as their clan members.
I grew up in the heart of the Hinghwa enclave at Weld Road in Singapore, and am quite familiar with the Hinghwa culture, traditions, and the way people lived and did business. However, the stories of our Hinghwa from Indonesia, Malaysia (Sabah & Sarawak), Brunei Darussalam, Southern Thailand, and other countries are no less fascinating and I am privileged to include their stories here.
The book is divided into five parts. Part One discusses the origin of the Chinese, taking us through Chinese civilisation and the relevant dynasties. Part Two discusses the origin of the Hinghwa people, taking us through the highs and lows of the Hinghwa in ancient China. Part Three discusses the diaspora and renaissance of the Hinghwa people in the Nanyang and how they triumphed over many adversities. Part Four tells the stories of the pioneers and entrepreneurs. Finally, Part Five covers the culture, cuisine, and attractions of Puxian.
It is not possible to tell the entire history of the Hinghwa people as their story stretches over five millennia. I do hope, however, to offer a brief history and insights into the lives and minds of the amazing people known as the Hinghwa.
