Incense Fire

Usually situated in the middle of a traditional three-section compound, “tangˊhaˊ” is the shrine where the Hakka people worship their ancestors. At dusk every day, in addition to joss sticks, the “tangˊhaˊ fire” has to be lit. The “tangˊhaˊ fire” burns all night, lighting up not only the courtyard but the road that leads generations of offspring home. Nonetheless, the so-called “offspring” do not include the married daughters.

Traditionally in Hakka culture, when an unmarried daughter has died, her ashes cannot be housed in the ancestral columbarium or the family grave. Moreover, the married daughters are not allowed to worship the ancestors of the families they were born into because they are regarded as outsiders once they got married. Therefore, to allow the married daughters to get involved in the affairs of the clans is a challenge to the traditions. Despite their successful careers, the modern Hakka women are still neglected in the clans.

It is not easy to modernize the Hakka clan culture, but nevertheless, many people have been trying. As the responsibilities are passed on to the younger generations, some Hakka clans have begun to relax the restrictions, although there are still many hurdles for them to overcome.

Usually situated in the middle of a traditional three-section compound, “tangˊhaˊ” is the shrine where the Hakka people worship their ancestors. At dusk every day, in addition to joss sticks, the “tangˊhaˊ fire” has to be lit. The “tangˊhaˊ fire” burns all night, lighting up not only the courtyard but the road that leads generations of offspring home. Nonetheless, the so-called “offspring” do not include the married daughters.

It is not easy to modernize the Hakka clan culture, but nevertheless, many people have been trying. As the responsibilities are passed on to the younger generations, some Hakka clans have begun to relax the restrictions, although there are still many hurdles for them to overcome.