Underground River flows thousands of miles to bless the Hakka villages - Special Exhibition of Front Dui (Dui = Camp or Team)

Introduction to Front Dui Exhibition

Crossing the mountains and sailing across the dark waters (Taiwan Straits), the Hakka people moved from their mountainous hometowns to the Pingtung Plain covered by dense forests 300 years ago. Using their hometown technology to deal with the abundant water resources, the Hakka people succeeded in turning the wilderness into prosperous Liudui Hakka villages.

Front Dui – the Hakka settlement closest to Fujianese villages and the urban city

Located at the fan belt end of springs on the Pingtung Plain, the Front Dui (Dui = Camp or Team) has a dense irrigation network consisting of natural rivers, springs, underground streams and man-made ditches. The use of irrigation water turned the dry land into fertile farmland and the rich Hakka village settlements. Meanwhile, the development of irrigation systems indirectly contributed to the unity and cooperation among the Hakka settlers and the prosperity of the settlements for hundreds of years.

Hakka villages in memory

The reclamation of Front Dui began in the 40^th to 50^th years of Kangxi Regime. Geographically, Front Dui included the Upper Front Dui (now Changjhih Township), Lower Front Dui (now Linluo Township) and Haifeng and thus it was considered the most diverse Dui in the jurisdiction of Liudui.

Earlier settlers struggled to protect their homes and settlements during the reclamation period; the gravel train moved slowly during the Japanese colonization era; and overseas Indonesian Chinese moved in to settle down here and brought in a unique flavor of Southeast Asia during the Nationalist Government rule. All these images are the common memory of the Front Dui Hakka villages.

Modern heritage

The urban and rural modernization of Front Dui settlements may have decreased the charm of Hakka villages to a certain degree. However, the traditional cultural activities held from the first day to the 15^th day of Chines Lunar New Year have been passing down the features of Front Dui and Hakka tradition, skillfully in a lively and joyful atmosphere, from generation to generation. Thus, welcome to join us to get a feel of Hakka cultural festivals in those pilgrimage tours, reception of grandson’s light, praying and blessing activities, and worship of Liudui martyrs.