Kenting's Three Oddities Introduction
Hengchun, due to its unique terrain, climate, and soil, has achieved the special titles of "Hengchun Three Treasures" and "Hengchun Three Oddities." The Hengchun Three Treasures refer to "Qiongma, onions, and Port tea." Later, due to the limited production of Port tea, watermelon was used as a substitute. The Hengchun Three Oddities refer to "the falling mountain winds, betel nut consumption, and the Hengchun folk song 'Thinking of Home'." To understand the origins of the Three Treasures and Three Oddities, one should start with the Three Oddities of Hengchun: The First Oddity: The Falling Mountain Winds From October to April of the following year, the western coast of Hengchun Peninsula often experiences wild winds that can last for 2-3 hours or even up to 10 days at a time. Strong winds at ground level are often accompanied by intense gusts, with speeds exceeding 20 meters per second during strong wind events, creating a scene reminiscent of a typhoon, aside from clear skies. The area where these ground storms are prevalent is in the leeward area of the northeast monsoon and the Hengchun Peninsula, where winds descend as if they are dropping directly from the mountain peaks. For over a hundred years, locals have referred to this phenomenon as "the falling mountain winds." It also influences the cultural, natural landscapes of Hengchun Peninsula, as well as agricultural, forestry, fishery, and pastoral resources. The Second Oddity: Betel Nut Consumption In the past, the people of Hengchun consumed betel nuts together, regardless of age or gender, reportedly to withstand the winter's falling mountain winds. The commonly consumed betel nuts were not favored by locals; instead, they preferred "wild green betel nuts" that had been affected by the falling mountain winds. For locals, betel nuts were snacks, even gifts at meetings, and were included as food during weddings and celebrations, which visitors found peculiar. Nowadays, as people prioritize health, the trend of chewing betel nuts has faded away. The Third Oddity: "Thinking of Home" - Hengchun Folk Songs Hengchun folk songs have a complex origin, incorporating elements from various musical traditions, including Minnan, Hakka, Paiwan, and Pingpu cultures, showcasing the diverse cultural characteristics of Taiwan's Hengchun Peninsula. "Thinking of Home" is considered an important cultural asset of Taiwan. Many cultural organizations are dedicated to the preservation and research of Hengchun folk songs, aiming to pass down these long-sung tunes. The tunes of Hengchun folk songs include: 1. "Niu Wei Bai": Also known as "Niu Mu Ban," this is the earliest folk song in Hengchun, featuring no fixed form. Its distinctive characteristic is an octave lift in the last note, which varies according to the singer's emotions, mixing real and falsetto voices and high and low pitches. It can reach three octaves in the emotional sections, being particularly moving. It is mainly used for comforting a daughter on the eve of her wedding and expressing gratitude from the daughter to her elders. 2. "Pingpu Melody": Possibly originating from the melodies of the Pingpu people, it is used for storytelling or advice. In 1952, Principal Man Zhou Xin transformed it into "The Farmer's Song." Later adaptations include "Three Sounds of Helplessness" in 1959 and "Qing Ke Za Sao" in 1980, both based on the "Pingpu Melody," which is also referred to as "Taitung Melody." 3. "Si Xiang Zhi": Also known as "Thinking of Home," this is the most well-known Hengchun folk song. It is said to have been sung by a Cantonese man, Wu Yuan Shu, who traveled to Taiwan, settled in the Long Luan Society in Hengchun, and sang this tune out of homesickness. It is widely used for descriptive, celebratory, and praising purposes. 4. "Si Ji Chun": Also known as "Hengchun Melody" or "Major Melody," it became popular around the same time as "Thinking of Home" and is primarily used for romantic duets, named for its frequent references to seasonal flowers and plants. The tune is similar to "Feng Gang Melody." 5. "Wu Kong Xiao Diao": Also known as "Ku Li Diao," this melody features significant ups and downs, rich in emotional expression, and is mainly used for nostalgia, sorrow, and storytelling. Sources: "Hengchun Town Chronicles", Music Section, Professor Zhong Mingkun.
