Amid the green hills and clear waters of Chaling, Hunan, lives a resilient people: the Hakka. They are neither an ethnic minority nor native to the area, yet they eventually put down roots in Chaling's mountains, forming distinctive Hakka villages where families live together in close-knit communities.
They stubbornly preserve the Hakka language in their homes and villages. Though it stands apart from the Xiang-speaking dialects around them, it has become a strong bond that sustains their shared identity.
Over the centuries, the Hakka of Chaling have blended the ancient traditions of their homeland with the regional culture of Hunan, forging a people known for hard work, diligence, and resilience. Like trees with deep roots, they have flourished on Chaling's soil. Their distinctive dialect, simple and honest customs, and strong clan traditions are an irreplaceable splash of color in Chaling's diverse cultural tapestry, as well as a resilient cultural link between a history of migration across thousands of miles and life today.
Though they are not an ethnic minority, they have customs reminiscent of one, and their home is a place with many stories to tell.
Over the course of their long history, they have passed down numerous myths and legends, as well as distinctive local customs steeped in a rich, fantastical spirit.
Told through stories, this book records the lives, customs, cultural traditions, and experiences of the Hakka people of Chaling.
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