Shap Long, where three ethnic groups coexist
In the mid-19th century, Hong Kong had four main ethnic groups: Punti, Hakka, Boat People (formerly known as Tanka) and Hoklo. They are still distributed around different parts of Hong Kong, including Lantau Island. A number of Hakka, Hoklo and Boat People settled in Shap Long, Lantau Island.
Shap Long is a village cluster in the Chi Ma Wan Peninsula. It is said that the name "Shap Long" refers to several connected peaks near the valley, which resemble 10 wolves. The name could also have been influenced by the Hakka pronunciation of “Shap Long”.
The village was established by Hakkas. The Cheung family in the village is a branch of the Cheung clan, who are Hakka who settled in Pui O, where they farmed for a living. It is said that for fung shui reasons, the village was later moved to the northeast shore of Chi Ma Wan and was called Shap Long San Tseun, while the homes in the valley were called Shap Long Kau Tsuen.
In addition to Hakka, Hoklo settled in Shap Long Chung Hau (Shap Long estuary). They learned to cultivate rice and became self-sufficient. They cut grass on the hills and sold it to fishermen for taam shuen (燂船) (a traditional repair method of smoking the hull of a boat with burning grass). They also caught shrimp, which they sold to shops on Cheung Chau to make shrimp paste.
In the past, Boat People from Cheung Chau would take shelter from strong winds in the Shap Long Chung Hau lagoon and repair their boats on the beach. The Boat People in Shap Long Chung Hau believed in Tin Hau and went to the Tin Hau Temple in Shap Long Chung Hau to celebrate the Tin Hau Festival on the third day of the third lunar month every year. They were also important supporters of the renovation of the Tin Hau Temple.
In the past, different ethnic groups often disliked and argued with one another. But in the Shap Long valley and estuary, Hakka, Hoklo and Boat People have lived together for decades. Although they had different dialects and customs, they gradually integrated, benefiting the whole community.
