Hakka people
Hakka (客家, Pinyin: Kèjiā, literal meaning: "Guest clans") people are migratory tribes of ethnic Han people originated from central China.
Their ancestors exiled themselves from foreign rulers such as the Mongols in Yuan Dynasty.
Although they are frequently distinctive in culture and language from the surrounding population, they are not considered a separate ethnic group by Chinese and are seen as part of the majority Han Chinese. Traditionally, Hakka have often lived separately from the local population and in the past there have been conflict occasionally violent between the Hakka and local groups. Hakka women never practiced foot binding and were known for their high academic achievement. It is popularly known in Taiwan that the Mei-nung area boasts having produced more doctorates (MDs and PhDs) than any other area in Taiwan. In Taiwan, the majority of Hakka people live in the southern region of Mei-nung, in the Kao-hsiung municipality. Hakka were active in the Taiping Rebellion.
Prominent Hakka include:
- Deng Xiaoping, a Paramount Leader of the PRC
- Lee Teng-hui, a president of the Republic of China
- Hong Xiuquan, a king of the Heavenly Kingdom of Taiping
- Adrienne Clarkson, a Governor-General of Canada
See also: Hakka dialect, Hakka cuisine.