Henghua

Origin: The Henghua (or Xing Hwa in Mandarin) people are from Putian, Fujian, Peoples' Republic of China. Xing means lucky whereas Hua means people. HengHua people originated from Henan Province and migrated to the present Putian many years ago. The Henghua language was also used as the official language during the Tang Dynasty. Henghua people were said to be in charge of the religious affair during that era and later migrated to the Fujian after the civil war. An interesting writeup on Putian City can be found in the website: http://www.fzu.edu.cn/fujian/eput.html

Population: According to Joshua Project (2007), there are about 2.7 million Henghuas in Mainland China; 16,000 in Singapore; and about 75,000 in Malaysia.

Language: Although language is an important part of cultures, it is also possible that it can be eroded with time when people are brought up in a different cultural environment. It was the same in Singapore where the younger generation of Chinese were brought up in an environment where dialects were not encouraged. It is therefore no surprise that many of the younger Chinese generation in the island nation had great difficulties in speaking their own dialect – Henghua included. In a survey carried out in 1985, there were about 6,000 speakers of the Henghua language in Singapore, out of 12,902 in the ethnic group (Ethnologue: The Languages of the World – CHINESE, PU-XIAN: a language of China. Retrieved on 4 December 2007). Please refer to their website for more information. http://www.ethnologue.com/14/show_language.asp?code=CPX

Brief History of Henghuas in Singapore: Henghua people were known to monopolise the transport trade in Singapore and the South East Asian region. Many Henghuas, like most immigrants in Singapore during much of the late 19th century and early 20th century, started off as rickshaw pullers or coolies (labourers). From the 1930s, many steadily progressed to trishaw riders, taxi drivers, bus drivers or mechanics. While many eventually became owners of their vehicles, there were also many who ventured into businesses relating to all kinds of automobile spare-parts; shipping; finance; property; and etc. Rickshaws were invented by the Japanese in 1869 and were then known to them as 'Jinrickshaw'. It appeared in many parts of Asia as a convenient form of transport few years after its invention. It too became an important part of Singapore’s public transport system in 1880. It was gradually replaced by the more efficient trishaws and automobiles in the mid-1930s (Warren, 2003). The design of the Rickshaw looked much like a bullock-cart or horse-cart. All were designed to carry either goods or passengers – with 'muscle' power. The only difference is that the Rickshaws (made of flimsier and lighter materials) were powered (pulled) by men. It is difficult to comprehend how men need to slog in such difficult conditions. The answers could be found in the hometown of where most of the 'coolies' came from – Fujian, Mainland China. There is no shortage of historical materials on how difficult life could be in their homeland at that time, where civil unrest, drought, famines and other natural calamities happened more often than historians care to record. Most families were descendants of peasants whose lives were no better than their ancestors. Their daily lives were a constant struggle of toiling in the rice fields, often under difficult weather conditions, just so that they could have some rice to survive another day. As if this were not bad enough, they were constantly harassed by landowners, thugs, and corrupt officials for whatever payments that was due to them. It is no wonder that many took the risk to ride the dangerous waves of the 'Nanyang' (Southern Ocean or South China Sea). It was a risk that many took without batting an eyelid. Amongst them were my grandparents (My dad's parents.) My grandfather too was a Rickshaw Puller. He brought my dad over to Singapore after a few years – for education. My dad later became a bicycle repairman. Soon my grandparents returned to China and, as destiny would have it, never got to see their son again. While my dad was considered fortunate to remain in Singapore, my uncle (my mother's brother) was less so. He too worked as a Rickshaw Puller in Singapore for nearly 20 years just so that his wife and children in China could survive. After he left Singapore, he never returned because the victorious Communist government closed all borders to the outside world (I was glad to have met him before he passed away in China). As famine swept through China in the early 1960s, his wife was one of the tens of millions who perished. The painful Cultural Revolution followed, which lasted from 1965 to 1975. Many more perished. Such was the misery in their homeland. Their job as a Rickshaw Puller in Singapore was not something that they or others would like to do. It is about staying alive in this cruel and merciless world. As to why many still returned to their homeland at that time, inspite of the very harsh conditions, one only need to understand the Chinese culture of 'filial-piety'; and the other the natural course of nature. As the Chinese idiom says: ‘Luo Ye Gui Gen’ (落 叶 归 根). (The leaves of the trees will return to their roots.) The risks that the earlier Henghuas took to sail the high seas and their early sacrifices were not in vain because many of their decendants have found fortune or at least for many – a much better life. The many decendants in the region are now showing their gratitude by contributing generously to the development of Putian City. [A more comprehensive story about the Rickshaw Pullers in Singapore could be found in a book written by Warren, J.F. (2003) entitled: 'Rickshaw Coolie – A people's history of Singapore, 1880-1940.' Singapore: Singapore University Press.]

Prominent Henghua in Singapore and the region: There are several prominent and successful Henghuas in Singapore and the region. However, the names of the many that we know by sight or heard of are not yet available. This section would therefore indicate only those that we know publicly. In Singapore, the most prominent and successful Henghua is said to be the media shy Ng Teng Fong of the Far East Organisation whose buildings prominently dotted the Singapore skyline. In Indonesia, it is Li Wenzhen (李文正), the patriach of the international conglomerate Lippo Group (力宝集团). He was known to be a generous donor to the Putian University in Mainland China. http://www.ptuhaiwai.com/site/pro.asp Retrieved on 5 March 2007. In Brunei, it is Philanthropist Chen Zhenrong who is also known as "auto tycoon" of Brunei. He was named the honorary citizen of Putian City for his generous contribution to them. http://www.chinatoday.com.cn/English/e2003/e20033/putian.htm Retrieved on 27 February, 2007. In Malaysia, it is Grandmaster Chee Kim Thong. His skill in Shaolin Kung Fu and traditional Chinese medicine is well-known internationally. He is currently the Hon. Chairman of the Heng Ann Association of Malaysia. See website for more information: http://www.mastergraham.com/grahamShizu.htm Retrieved on 8 December 2007.

Education: Education is very much part of the Chinese culture, since Confucius (孔 子; K’ung-tzu) started it around 500 B.C. Perhaps it is for this reason that some of these are holding high political office in Singapore and the region. Please refer to some of the Wikipedia website, such as: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lim_Chong_Eu http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mari_Elka_Pangestu http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coraz%C3%B3n_Aquino http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thaksin_Shinawatra

In Singapore, the Henghuas too have not forgotten the importance of education. They were able to pool their resources to build Hong Wen School, which is now located along Victoria Street. It was formerly located at Queen Street and then Dickson Road. It started as a Chinese language school, but had since been replaced by the English medium. In the early days both boys and girls were sent to the school, managed by the clan. But later the elders of the clan decided that the boys could enrol in the English stream schools, but the girls would remain in the Clan’s or other Chinese schools. The reason being the clan’s elders feared that the Western influence may corrupt the girls. This proved to be unfounded because my primary school principal was an English-educated Henghua, and I must say she remains a very traditional and capable Henghua lady with ‘Cheongsam’. There wasn’t a tinge of Western influence on her life-style except maybe for her education.

Association: In preserving their heritage, the Henghua associations would regularly organise functions for the clan members. The associations are: (1) Hin Ann Association, 35 Sam Leong Road, Singapore; (2) Hin Ann Thian Hiaw Keng, 25 Lor 33 Geylang, Singapore. These associations are very traditional and the activities are often temple related. In Malaysia, Vincent Loh revealed that the Heng Ann Association is also very active in Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia. Vincent himself is a very successful aerospace engineer in Canada. We are grateful for his contribution in highlighting the Henghua community in Kuala Lumpur.

Religion: Henghuas in Singapore are predominantly Daoists or Buddhists. The activites of the Henghua Association in Geylang are mostly temple based. The former Hong Wen school building at Dickson Road is now being used as a Buddhist Institution. Throughout much of the southern part of Mainland China, Macau, Taiwan and the region many temples were dedicated to a Henghua lady named Ma Zu. She was born Li Moniang (Mar, 23, 960 A.D. to Sept. 9, 987 A.D.) and was revered for helping the distressed at sea. Her faithfuls built temples in honour of her and outward-bound seafarers often seek her blessings before sailing into the unknown. Many brought with them statues of the legendary lady and upon reaching the foreign land would honour her with the building of a temple. Like the birthdays of many Chinese deities, Mazu will also be remembered on her special day where worshippers from all over the world would congregate at the main temple of Mazu at Meizhou Island in Putian to worhsip her. More information can be found in: http://www.fzu.edu.cn/fujian/eput.html In Christianity, the Methodist Church have a Henghua branch located at 93 Kitchener Road, Singapore. It is not known how many Henghuas actually worship there. However, amongst the Christian community and the Western missionaries there is a well-known Henghua evangelist, named John Sung (1901 - 1944), who is still widely admired today. As William E. Schubert says: "Dr.John Sung was probably the greatest preacher of this century. I have heard almost all the great preachers from 1910 until now, including R. A. Torrey, Billy Sunday, Henry Jowett, the great holiness preachers, the Methodist bishops, including Bishop Quayle, even Harry Emerson Fosdick, who set a great example of the homiletic art, although I did not agree with him, and finally Billy Graham. Yet John Sung surpassed them all in pulpit power, attested by amazing and enduring results ...” (Cited in Tow, T. (1976), 'In John Sung's Steps – the story of Lim Puay Hian.')

Food: Henghua traditional food is unique and not something that is easily available at hawker centres. The reason being it takes time to prepare and the food is usually steamy hot when served. One can never have a complete meal in a Henghua restaurant without ordering one or some of the delicious noodles. Some of these are: (1) ‘mian xian’ ( 面 线 ); (2) ‘xin hua chao mi fen’ (兴 化 炒 米 粉 ) and (3) ‘pa mee or lu mian’ ( 卤 面 ). [Thanks to Victor for his input on the correct name of this noodle. The hanyu pinyin version was provided by a staff of Putian Restaurant Pte Ltd at Vivocity]. All noodles are usually served, amongst other ingredients, with traditional clams that are only available in the coastal area of Putian. It is unique because of its strange sweetness in it when cooked. Some of the known Henghua restaurant in Singapore are: (1) Ming Chung restaurant. [This is said to be the first known Henghua restaurant in Singapore. It was previously located at Weld Road, but have since moved to Maude Road]. For further information please refer to the website at: http://forums.vr-zone.com/archive/index.php/t-27797.html; (2) Putian Restaurant Pte Ltd located at Kitchener Road and Vivocity, Singapore. In order to view some of the delicacies, please refer to the website http://ieatishootipost.blogspot.com/2006/10/pu-tian-heng-hwa-restaurant.html. (3) Pu Tien (Seafood) restaurant also located at Kitchener Road, Singapore; (4) Pu Tien Cuisine Restaurant located at Sims Avenue; and (5) Hing Wa restaurant located at Beach Road. It is possible that there are other smaller food outlets serving Henghua food, but this could not be verified. It is not the intention of the writer to advertise any of the restaurants mentioned, but merely to indicate their existence. Readers are advised to check before patronizing because some of them are quite mobile. Putian honey is not only sweet, but it also contains medicinal values that are known to cure cough. Note: The entire website mentioned in this food section was Retrieved on 4 December 2007.

Fruits: One of the most famous fruits in Putian City are the Litchis and the round maroon-coloured Plum. The Litchis is covered with a thin layer of rough reddish brown coloured shell that can be easily peeled when ripe. The flesh is white, juicy and very sweet during the peak season. Whereas the plum has a rough fleshy skin texture that is maroon in colour. It is usually soaked in jars with sugar and water over a period of time to give it a sweet and sour taste. The flesh remains firm after few days of soaking and the taste, if I may say, once is never enough.

Martial Art (Shaolin KungFu): The famed Shaolin Kung Fu is said to evolve into the Northern and Southern style of Chinese martial art. As Northerners are taller they are said to practice a style that concentrates more on their leg power. Their shorter Southern counterparts is said to prefer using their fist power. A recent discovery of an ancient relics of southern Shaolin Temple in Putian City confirms that the Southern style of the famed martial art is very much part of the Henghua heritage. However, this claim remained inconclusive because of the many disputes by scholars in Mainland China. Readers are encouraged to research and contribute to this area beginning with the website on: The Riddle of Southern Shaolin http://www.hungkuen.net/history-riddleofshaolin.htm Contributed by Chris Toepker - (Translated from Shaolin Fang Gu, by Wen Yu Chen ISBN:7-5306-2830-5). Retrieved on 5 December 2007. In Malaysia, it is Grandmaster Chee Kim Thong. His skill in Shaolin Kung Fu and traditional healings is well-known internationally. He is currently the Hon. Chairman of the Heng Ann Association of Malaysia. See website for more information: http://www.mastergraham.com/grahamShizu.htm Retrieved on 8 December 2007.

Gratitude: I would like to humbly thank Wikipedia for hosting this website. It is my sincere hope that your kindness will be repaid someday.

[This article is contributed by Dr. Jason Ong, a Singaporean Henghua with special interest in education and cultures. He welcomes any exchange of ideas on the Henghua clan and his area of interest. He can be contacted on: <weblinks@pacific.net.sg>]

References: Joshua Project (2007). Bringing definition to the unfinished task. Retrieved on 8 December 2007. http://www.joshuaproject.net/languages.php?rol3=cpx