The Three Oddities of Hengchun Introduction
Hengchun, due to its unique topography, climate, and soil, has earned the special names "Hengchun's Three Treasures" and "Hengchun's Three Oddities." The Three Treasures refer to "Qiongma, onions, and port tea," while port tea has been occasionally replaced by watermelon due to its limited production. The Three Oddities refer to "Mountain winds, betel nut consumption, and the song 'Siang Siang Ki' – Hengchun folk songs." To deeply understand the origin of the three treasures and three oddities, we should start with the Three Oddities of Hengchun: First Oddity: Mountain Winds From October to April of the following year, the western coast of the Hengchun Peninsula often experiences strong winds on the ground, sometimes lasting for 2 to 3 hours, or even for 10 days or a fortnight without stopping. These strong winds are accompanied by severe gusts, sometimes exceeding 20 meters per second, swirling dust and sand, resembling the conditions during a typhoon aside from the clear sky. The area's windstorm zone is under the influence of the northeast monsoon and the leeward side of the Hengchun Peninsula; the wind flows downwards as if it descends from mountain peaks. For over a century, locals have referred to this phenomenon as "Mountain Winds." It also influences the cultural and natural landscapes of the Hengchun Peninsula and the natural resources in agriculture, forestry, fishing, and animal husbandry. Second Oddity: Betel Nut Consumption In the past, people in Hengchun enjoyed betel nut without distinctions of gender or age, reportedly to fend off the winter's mountain winds. The type of betel nut consumed by the public is different from that liked by the people of Hengchun, who preferred "Banazai" that had been exposed to the mountain winds. At that time, betel nut was a popular snack for Hengchun residents and even served as a gift during meetings and wedding celebrations, which travelers found unusual. Nowadays, with increased health awareness, the trend of chewing betel nut has faded. Third Oddity: "Siang Siang Ki" – Hengchun Folk Songs Hengchun folk songs have a complex origin, incorporating not only Min Nan traditions but also musical elements from Hakka, Paiwan, and Pingpu cultures, showcasing the diverse cultural characteristics of Taiwan's Hengchun Peninsula. "Siang Siang Ki" is also listed as an important cultural asset of Taiwan, with various cultural institutions investing in the preservation and study of Hengchun folk songs to pass down these long-sung ancient melodies. The melodies of Hengchun folk songs include the following: - Niu Wei Bai: Also known as "Niu Mu Ban," this is the earliest folk song in Hengchun, lacking a fixed form. Its characteristic feature is an octave leap at the end of phrases, changing with the singer's emotions, with a mixture of true and falsetto, and varying pitches that can reach three octaves in sorrowful parts, making it touching. It's mainly sung the night before a daughter gets married, offering comfort from family and friends, and showing gratitude from the daughter to the elders. - Pingpu Diao: Possibly derived from the melodies of the Pingpu people, used for storytelling or moral encouragement. In 1952, Principal Manzhou Xinde adapted it into "Gongnong Ge"; "San Sheng Wu Nai" in 1959 and "Qing Ke Zi Sao" in 1980 were also adapted from "Pingpu Diao," which is also known as "Taitung Diao." - Siang Siang Zhi: Also called "Siang Siang Ki," it is the most well-known Hengchun folk song, said to have been sung by a Guangdong man named Wu Yuan Shu who came to Taiwan and married into the Long Luan Society in Hengchun, expressing homesickness. It is widely used for scenic descriptions, praise, and congratulations. - Si Ji Chun: Also called "Hengchun Diao" or "Da Diao," this melody became popular around the same time as "Siang Siang Zhi," mainly used for male and female duet love songs, named for often starting with seasonal flowers and plants, with a tune similar to "Feng Gang Xiao Diao." - Wu Kong Xiao Diao: Also known as "Ku Li Diao," it features significant ups and downs in melody, rich in charm and emotionally expressive, primarily used in reminiscing, mourning, and storytelling. Data source: "Hengchun Town History" Music Section by Professor Zhong Mingkun.
