HK281 “The Hakka Flower Seller”

The Hakka people are Han Chinese who originated from the lands bordering the Yellow River who migrated to China’s southern provinces as well as overseas.

During the late Ming and Qing dynasties a substantial proportion moved to what became Hong Kong and took up farming in the less accessible and more hilly areas of the territory. Most of this agricultural work was done by women as their menfolk often took laboring jobs in the nearby urban areas of Kowloon and Hong Kong.

After cultivating and tending their crops it was the women who would journey into the city areas to sell their produce.

This seated Hakka enjoys a snack of sweet corn as she awaits customers for her flowers.