Longevity Celebration and Congratulations by the Descendants

Longevity celebration refers to important birthdays of old people. Common people began to celebrate this at the nominal age of 60 or 61. Birthday congratulation ceremonies for the Hakka elders in Longgang are arranged by their descendants. The hall is decorated with red-candled lanterns and streamers. A red silk sheet with a Chinese character of "Shou" (longevity) embroidered at the center is hung at the middle of the hall. The birthday gifts sent by relatives and friends are displayed. Upon ceremony starting, "Shou Xing" (the older person whose birthday is being celebrated) sits at the center of the hall, accepting congratulations of their descendants, relatives and friends. A banquet will be held after the ceremony. Having noodles is a must.

Ancient Chinese birthday celebrations

Highly fortified Hakka Dwellings

"All clansmen living together" is an important residing tradition of Hakka people. On the basis of absorbing the advantages of Hakka and Cantonese residence, Hakka residence in Shenzhen is of large scale, strong fortification and cosy environment. The front side of the fortified residences is built with gate tower, Daozuo (the south hall facing north), as well as the front and back courtyards. Main part of the construction include halls, transverse rooms, defending towers on the four corners, and back with belvedere. The whole construction is like a strongly-fortified castle. A Surrounded residence is a mini society of a clan, a "History Book of Ramming". There are over 100 large and medium scale castle-like surrounded Hakka residences survived in Longgang District.

Hakka Folk Culture

Hakka immigration has begun since the late Song Dynasty, from the mountainous regions such as Fujian, Guangdong and Jiangxi to Shenzhen and Hong Kong, while large scale migration happened only after the abolition of the Edit of the Coastal Evacuation in the early Qing Dynasty. Because of the greograpic proximity to their original place, immigration scale and time etc., Hakka people in Shenzhen still keep many traditions of the original dwelling regions of Fujian, Guangdong and Jiangxi especially those of Meizhou region in eastern Guangdong.

Preface : Shenzhen culture and history

In order to adapt to the environment, a set of conventional behaviour and cultural phenomena is formed in human beings' long process evolution, which is called folk culture. Folk culture is inclusive of tangible and intangible heritage. It is a mirror of history and social life. Deeply rooted in the grass roots, folk culture is handed down from generation to generation, but also changing and developing with the pulse of time. Traditional folk culture in Shenzhen, including Cantonese branch and Hakka branch is of remote source and great diversity. Besides, Shenzhen lies right at the Pearl River's influx into the sea, old-timers' subsistence of this area largely relies on the sea. Rich marine culture is thus formed during the long process of maritime activities.

A nation would fail to explore the future, if due attention hasn't paid to its history' and culture heritage. "It is fundamental to the inheritance and development of human civilization to respect, protect traditional folk culture and absorb nutrients from it. Presented here. Shenzhen Folk Culture Exhibition is composed of four parts, namely, Regional, Cantonese, Hakka and a Maritime Folk Culture, in which an all-round display of Shenzhen's local feature and tradition is unveiled. It is our sincere hope to get your interest and attention.