Three Oddities of Hengchun Introduction
Hengchun, due to its unique topography, climate, and soil, has led to the special names "Three Treasures of Hengchun" and "Three Oddities of Hengchun." The Three Treasures refer to "Qiongma, onions, and port tea." Since port tea is not very abundant, some have replaced it with watermelon. The Three Oddities refer to "the falling mountain wind, betel nut consumption, and the Hengchun folk song 'Si Xiang Qi'." To understand the origins of the Three Treasures and Three Oddities, we start with the Three Oddities: First Oddity: Falling Mountain Wind. From October to April each year, there are often violent winds along the western coast of Hengchun Peninsula that can last for 2-3 hours or even continue for 10 days or half a month. These strong winds can exceed 20 meters per second, with swirling dust comparable to the conditions seen during a typhoon. The prevalence of this ground-level storm occurs in the downwind area of the northeast monsoon and the Hengchun Peninsula, giving the impression that the northeast monsoon is dropping directly down the mountains. Therefore, for over a hundred years, locals have referred to it as "falling mountain wind." This phenomenon affects the culture, natural scenery, and natural resources such as agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and animal husbandry in Hengchun Peninsula. Second Oddity: Betel Nut Consumption. In the past, people in Hengchun shared betel nuts equally among men, women, and children, reportedly to resist the winter's falling mountain wind. The betel nuts consumed by the public are not the ones favored by Hengchun locals; they prefer "fan zi qing," which has been battered by the falling mountain winds. Betel nuts were not only a snack for the people but also served as a gift during meetings and on festive occasions such as weddings, making it something of an oddity to outside travelers. Nowadays, with a focus on health, the trend of chewing betel nuts has dissipated. Third Oddity: 'Si Xiang Qi' - Hengchun Folk Song. The origins of Hengchun folk songs are complex, incorporating elements from Min Nan traditions as well as Hakka, Paiwan, and Pingpu folk music. Hengchun folk songs showcase the diverse cultural characteristics of Taiwan's Hengchun Peninsula. 'Si Xiang Qi' is recognized as an important cultural asset of Taiwan, with significant cultural institutions investing in the preservation and research of Hengchun folk songs, aiming to pass down these long-sung ancient melodies. Hengchun folk songs include the following tunes: - Niu Wei Bai: Also known as "Niu Mu Ban," the older generation calls it "Singing Tune." It is the earliest folk song in Hengchun, lacking a fixed form, characterized by an octave jump in the ending, varying according to the singer's emotions. It can range up to three octaves in the sorrowful parts and is quite moving. This tune is mainly used for comforting daughters on the eve of their weddings and expressing gratitude to elders. - Pingpu Diao: Possibly originating from the Pingpu people's tunes, this is used for storytelling or moral preaching. In 1952, Principal Manzhou modified it into the "Farmers’ Song." The "Three Sounds of Helplessness" from 1959 and "Qing Ke Zi Sao" from 1980 are also adaptations of "Pingpu Diao," which some call "Taitung Diao." - Si Xiang Zhi: Also known as "Si Xiang Qi," it is the most well-known Hengchun folk song, said to have been sung by a Cantonese man named Wu Yuan, who came to Taiwan and married into the Hengchun Long Luan Society. Out of homesickness, he composed the tune, which is widely used for depicting scenes, praise, and congratulations. - Si Ji Chun: Also known as "Hengchun Diao" or "Da Diao," it became popular around the same time as "Si Xiang Zhi," primarily used for duet love songs, named for references to seasonal flowers and plants and has a tune similar to "Feng Gang Xiao Diao." - Wu Kong Xiao Diao: Also known as "Ku Li Diao," it has a wide range of pitch fluctuations, rich in sentiment and expressive, mainly used for nostalgia, sorrow, and storytelling. Source of written data: "Hengchun Township Chronicles," Music Section, Professor Zhong Ming-kun.
