Three Oddities of Hengchun Introduction
Hengchun, due to its unique geography, 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." Later, due to the low production of port tea, watermelon was used as a substitute. The Three Oddities are "the mountain wind, betel nut consumption, and the Hengtun folk song 'Siyangqi'." To understand the origin of the Three Treasures and Three Oddities, we should start with the Three Oddities: The First Oddity: The Mountain Wind From October each year to April of the following year, the western coast of Hengchun Peninsula often experiences violent winds for 2 to 3 hours, and sometimes for 10 days or even half a month without stopping. The strong winds at ground level are accompanied by intense gusts that can exceed 20 meters per second. The swirling dust and wind resemble the scenes during a typhoon, except for the clear sky. The prevalent area of ground storms lies in the downwind area of the northeast monsoon and the Hengchun Peninsula. As the wind blows over, it descends from the mountain peak as if tumbling down, leading the locals to call it "the mountain wind" for over a hundred years. This phenomenon also affects the local culture, natural scenery, and various natural resources such as agriculture, forestry, fishing, and animal husbandry. The Second Oddity: Betel Nut Consumption In the past, people in Hengchun shared betel nuts regardless of age or gender, reportedly to combat the winter mountain winds. The kind of betel nuts commonly consumed by the public is not what the local people prefer; they are fond of the "green betel nuts" that have been subject to the mountain winds. At that time, betel nuts were considered a snack for Hengchun people and even served as gifts during social visits or weddings, which left an impression of peculiarity on visiting tourists. Nowadays, as health becomes a priority, the trend of chewing betel nuts has diminished. The Third Oddity: 'Siyangqi' - Hengchun Folk Songs The origin of Hengchun folk songs is complex; besides traditional Hokkien culture, it incorporates elements from Hakka, Paiwan, and Plain Indigenous music. Hengchun folk songs showcase the diverse cultural characteristics of Taiwan’s Hengchun Peninsula. 'Siyangqi' is also listed as an important cultural heritage in Taiwan, with various cultural institutions involved in the preservation and research of Hengchun folk songs, passing down these long-standing melodies. The melodies of Hengchun folk songs include the following: - Niu Wei Bai: Also known as "Niu Mu Ban," it is the earliest type of folk songs in Hengchun, lacking a fixed form. Its characteristic is the octave leap at the end of phrases, varying with the singer’s emotions, blending both falsetto and chest voice, and its range can extend to three octaves, making it very moving. It is primarily sung the night before a daughter’s wedding as a form of comfort from friends and family, and as an expression of gratitude from the daughter to her elders. - Pingpu Tiao: Possibly originating from the melodies of the Plain Indigenous peoples, used for storytelling or moral exhortation. In 1952, Principal Manzhou Xu modified it into "Agricultural Song." The adaptations "San Sheng Wu Nai" in 1959 and "Qing Ke Zi Sao" in 1980 also originated from "Pingpu Tiao," which is sometimes referred to as "Taitung Tiao." - Siyangzhi: Also known as "Siyangqi," it is the most well-known Hengchun folk song. According to legend, a person from Guangdong named Wu Yuan Shu sang this song while remembering his hometown after moving to settle in the Longyuan Society in Hengchun. It is used widely, mainly for descriptive narratives, praising, and congratulating. - Si Ji Chun: Also called "Hengchun Tiao" or "Da Tiao," it became popular around the same time as "Siyangzhi." It is mainly used for singing duets between men and women, often starting with themes from seasonal flowers and plants, which gives it its name. The melody is similar to "Feng Gang Xiao Diao." - Wu Kong Xiao Diao: Also known as "Ku Li Tiao," this tune swings dramatically in pitch, possessing a rich melodic quality that touches the heart, and is highly expressive, mainly used for nostalgia, sorrow, and storytelling. Source of textual information: "Hengchun Township Chronicle," Music Section by Professor Zhong Mingkun.
