Fuzhou Tanka

Fuzhou Tanka

Regions with significant populations
The lower course of Min River and the coast of Fuzhou, Fujian Province in China
Languages
Foochowese and Mandarin
Religion
Roman Catholic and Taoism

The boats of Fuzhou Tanka on an inner river in Fuzhou

Fuzhou Tanka (Foochow Romanized: Kuóh-dà̤; Simplified Chinese:福州疍民) is an ethnic group in Fujian, China. A branch of the Tanka people, they traditionally lived on boat in the lower course of Min River and the coast of Fuzhou in Fujian Province of China throughout most of their lives, and were officially recognized as Han Chinese in 1955.

Origin and Etymology

There are several different views on the origin of Fuzhou Tanka. The mainstream theory believes that Fuzhou Tanka are the descendants of ancient Yue peoples. As a branch of the Tanka people, Fuzhou Tanka has been in South China for more than 2000 years. Their Foochowese name "Kuóh-dà̤" is a derogatory term used by the Foochowese people on land, which sounds like "crooked feet" and might come from the bent shape of their feet caused by longtime living in the low cabins of their boats.

Language

Fuzhou Tanka now speak the Foochowese language, which is widely used by the majority Foochowese in this region. Mandarin has also been brought to many of them through national compulsory education. However, they had their own language in history, but gradually abandoned it. In Ming Dynasty, many of them were already able to speak Foochowese or other Eastern Min languages.

Society

Tanka land dwellings built in the mid 20th century in Luoyuan County, Fuzhou, China

Traditionally, Fuzhou Tanka lived on boats in most of their lives. They were severely discriminated by land living Foochowese residents. Their life depended on fishing and ferrying, and most of them remained poor and uneducated before the founding of Republic of China. Fuzhou Tanka had a rich tradition of folk music, especially call and response. They also had a different view on chastity and remarriage from the land living Han Chinese. Pre-marital sex and remarriage were not restricted in their society. Due to the discriminatory policy imposed by the land living Han majority, Fuzhou Tanka were forced to wear inferiorly to the land residents.

In late 19th century, many Tanka people were converted to Roman Catholic. Some of these catholic Tanka consequently moved on land under the protection of Catholic Church. In the Republic of China era, Fuzhou Tanka's egality was guaranteed by law. Since the 1950s, the communist government began to move Fuzhou Tanka to land dwellings. As a result, many Fuzhou Tanka villages were formed along the Min River and the coast. Nowadays, most Fuzhou Tanka have abandoned their traditional life on boat. Their tradition, like the Fuzhou Tanka folk music, is under threat as well.

Discrimination against Fuzhou Tanka

Before the founding of Republic of China, the Fuzhou Tanka were treated by land Chinese residents as mean and inferior. They were not allowed to dwell on land, receive education, wear silk clothes or work in government or army. In some area, they were even forbidden to walk on land, otherwise, they would be faced with death threat. In the 18th century, Qing government began to allow Tanka people to live on land. Other discriminatory rules were eliminated by law in Republic of China.

Religion

Before the 19th century, many Fuzhou Tanka adopted Taoism, worshiped Mazu, Linshui and other gods and goddesses. In the late 19th century, many Fuzhou Tanka were converted to Roman Catholic. Since the Roman Catholic Church in Fuzhou protected them through Protectorate of missions, they were able to build land dwellings. Currently, the majority of Fuzhou Tanka are Roman Catholic, and they constitute a significant portion in Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Fuzhou.

See also

• Tanka (ethnic group)