Four main indigenous | ethnic Chinese groups in Hong Kong
The History of the Punti, Hakka, Tanka, Hoklo groups
Me Jamie, your host, I am English and I have lived in Hong Kong since January 2nd 1972 - I know the place.
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Four main indigenous | ethnic Chinese groups in Hong Kong
The History of the Punti, Hakka, Tanka, Hoklo groups
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© Copyright Acknowledged | All rights reserved. | Image taken by Jamie
Celebrating Indigenous Culture | Tai O Fishing Village | Hong Kong
Hong Kong and it’s fascinating Indigenous Culture - an overview
The image above is one of my favourites, taken at the Tai O Fishing Village in Hong Kong and it is has a large Tanka population, this lady is preparing traditional shrimp paste which is known around the world, personally I would not touch it with a barge pole, the smell alone would melt steel so imagine what it does to your stomach! but that is just me, if you like spciy food then you will love the Tai O Shrimp Paste and there are plenty of places to buy it in Tai O
I live in a city with a rich and diverse culture and I have always tried to include elements of history prior to the British takeover in 1841 and that means exploring the indigenous culture of the 4 main ethnic groups that make up the approximately 92% of the Chinese population in Hong Kong.
I have friends in the business who do promote tours that include these elements which mainly center around cultural festivals that pop up every year and some of them are quite amazing!
However, most of the culture is hiding in plain sight mainly in the New Territories and outlying islands, it is not readily apparent on Hong Kong Island (with the exception of Aberdeen) and in Kowloon.
Here is a clear historical overview of the four main indigenous/ethnic Chinese groups traditionally associated with Hong Kong's pre-colonial and early colonial population: Punti, Hakka, Tanka, and Hoklo. Note that "indigenous" in the Hong Kong context usually refers to people who were living in the New Territories and outlying islands before the British arrival in 1841–42, rather than the very first inhabitants (who were Yue/Dong’ou peoples thousands of years earlier).
1. Punti ( , "local people" / Cantonese-speaking natives)
Origins: Descendants of Han Chinese migrants who moved into today’s Guangdong province (including the Hong Kong area) primarily during the Song (12th–13th century) and early Ming dynasties. They speak Cantonese (Yue dialect) as their mother tongue.
Historical role in Hong Kong: By the time the British took Hong Kong (1841–42), the vast majority of villages in the New Territories (Yuen Long, Tai Po, Sha Tin, etc.) were Punti. They belonged to powerful surname-based alliances (especially the Five Great Clans: Tang, Hau, Pang, Liu, and Man). These clans built walled villages, owned most of the fertile rice land, and dominated rural society.
British period: The British recognized Punti village leaders as the legitimate indigenous inhabitants. After the 1898 Convention for the Extension of Hong Kong (lease of the New Territories), the British preserved Punti customary land rights and male-line inheritance (this is the origin of today’s controversial “small house policy” or ding uk).
Modern influence:
Still the dominant group among the “indigenous inhabitants” of the New Territories.
Benefit from the small house policy (male villagers can build a three-storey village house once in their lifetime).
Major rural leaders and Heung Yee Kuk (rural council) members are almost all Punti.
Many wealthy New Territories families (e.g., Tang family of Kam Tin, Lau family of Lung Yeuk Tau) trace descent to pre-British Punti lineages.
2. Hakka ( , "guest families")
Origins: Han Chinese who migrated southward in several waves (especially 13th and 17th–18th centuries) from northern China, fleeing war and famine. They kept their distinct Hakka language and customs.
Historical role in Hong Kong: Arrived later than Punti (mostly Qing dynasty). Often settled on poorer, hilly land that Punti did not want. Famous Hakka villages in Hong Kong include Tsang Tai Uk (built 1847–1867) in Sha Tin and Lai Chi Wo. There were frequent violent clashes with Punti in the 19th century (the “Punti–Hakka Clan Wars” of 1856–1860s in the wider Pearl River Delta region also affected Hong Kong’s New Territories).
British period: Initially treated as second-class compared to Punti; their land rights were less secure. Over time they were also recognized as indigenous inhabitants
Modern influence:
Second-largest indigenous group in the New Territories.
Also eligible for the small house policy.
Strong presence in Sai Kung, North District, and parts of Sha Tin.
Hakka culture is still visible in walled villages, traditional weddings, and food (e.g., preserved vegetables, pounded rice dishes).Politically active through the Heung Yee Kuk alongside Punti.
3. Tanka ( / , "egg people" – boat dwellers)
Origins: Historically a semi-nomadic aquatic people who lived almost entirely on small boats (sampans and fishing junks) in harbors and estuaries. Their exact origins are debated; some scholars think they descend from pre-Han Yue peoples, others see them as Han Chinese who took up a maritime life centuries ago.
Historical role in Hong Kong: Before the 20th century, thousands of Tanka lived afloat in Aberdeen, Causeway Bay, Yaumatei, and Kowloon Bay. They were fishermen, ferry operators, and supplied water and provisions to ocean-going ships. Under Qing law they were a “water-borne” caste, forbidden to live permanently on land or marry land-dwellers; the British continued many of these restrictions until the 1950s.
British period: Regarded as a distinct “boat people” community. From the 1950s–1970s, the government gradually moved them into public housing or on-shore villages (e.g., Tai O on Lantau still has a large Tanka community living in stilt houses).
Modern influence:
Most Tanka descendants now live on land and are indistinguishable from other Hong Kong Cantonese in daily life.
Aberdeen and Tai O still have visible Tanka heritage (fishing culture, Dragon Boat associations, Tin Hau temples originally built by Tanka).
Some families still run fishing businesses or seafood restaurants.
The derogatory social stigma has almost disappeared among younger generations.
4. Hoklo ( / , also called Hokkien or “Hei Li” in Cantonese)
Origins: Speakers of Southern Min (Hokkien) dialect from eastern Guangdong (Chaozhou–Shantou area) and southern Fujian. Many were seafarers and fishermen.
Historical role in Hong Kong: Primarily boat-dwellers like the Tanka, but with their own dialect and customs. Concentrated in areas such as Cheung Chau, Peng Chau, Lantau, and the eastern waters. They dominated deep-sea fishing and the salted-fish trade.
British period: Treated similarly to Tanka – restricted from permanent land residence until mid-20th century. Many Hoklo families ran ferry services between Hong Kong Island and outlying islands.
Modern influence:
Mostly assimilated on land today; younger generations usually speak Cantonese as their first language.
Strong presence on Cheung Chau (famous Bun Festival is Hoklo-origin), Peng Chau, and Lamma Island.
Hoklo surnames (e.g., Ong, Eng, Choy) are common in these areas.
Seafood restaurants and dried-seafood shops in Sai Kung and Aberdeen often trace roots to Hoklo families.
Summary of Influence on Modern Hong Kong (2025)
Land rights and politics: Punti and Hakka indigenous villagers (both recognized under the 1898 convention) still enjoy the male-only small house policy and strong influence through the Heung Yee Kuk, which has a powerful voice in LegCo (functional constituency seat) and rural affairs.
Cultural festivals: Dragon Boat Festival (Tuen Ng), Tin Hau Festival, and the Cheung Chau Bun Festival remain major public events with clear Tanka/Hoklo roots.
Cuisine: Hong Kong’s seafood culture, salted fish, shrimp paste, and many classic fishing-village dishes come from Tanka and Hoklo traditions.
Place names and villages: Hundreds of New Territories villages are still owned and managed by Punti or Hakka clans. Tai O, Aberdeen, and the outlying islands preserve visible aquatic heritage.
Identity: While 92–93% of Hong Kong’s population is ethnically Han Chinese and Cantonese-speaking, the distinction between these older groups has largely faded in urban areas. It remains strongest in rural New Territories politics (Punti vs Hakka) and among older generations on the outlying islands (Tanka/Hoklo heritage).
In short, the Punti and Hakka dominate the “indigenous villager” identity and associated privileges in the New Territories, while the Tanka and Hoklo have shaped Hong Kong’s maritime and fishing culture but are now mostly assimilated into mainstream Cantonese society.
My insider tip
Please note that in general if you book a tour on Viator or Tripadvisor you generally have NO control over what guide will lead your Private Tour of Hong Kong and this is the most important component of the tour. I urge you to check the actual company website and book via their website and do not forget to read Tripadvisor reviews as well.
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