The Chaozhou people are Chinese people, native to the Chaoshan region of eastern
Guangdong province who speak the Teochew dialect. Today, most Teochew people live
outside China in Southeast Asia, especially in Singapore, Malaysia,
Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and Indonesia. They can also be found almost
anywhere in the world, including North America, Australia and France.
The Teochew speak Chinese Teochew dialect; Teochew cuisine is also
distinctive. The ancestors of the Teochew people moved to present-day
Chaoshan from the Central Plains of China in order to escape from a series
of civil wars during the Jin Dynasty. Terms
Teochew can be romanised in a variety of schemes, and are known in Mandarin as
cháo zhōu rén and Cantonese as Chiuchao yan. In referring to themselves as
ethnic Chinese, Teochew people generally use Deung nang, literally Tang Dynasty
people, as opposed to Hang nang, which means 'Han Dynasty people'.
Teochew people of the diaspora would generally use Hua nang to indicate
Chinese heritage in a cultural sense. Huanang and huaren are broadly used by
Chinese people living outside of China, referring to their maintaining a
substantial cultural identity they consider to be Chinese.
Teochew people also commonly refer to each other as ga gi nang which means
'our own people'. History
Historically, these people were called Helao or Fulao, as they came mostly from
Henan and Shanxi via Fujian, with well-maintained language and customs
from north-central China. As was recorded in pedigrees and ancient
inscriptions, these people who had originally migrated to southern Fujian,
especially from Quanzhou and Putian, made settlements toward Chaoshan in
batches and soon spread all over the Chaoshan area.
Geographic isolation and difficulty in traveling in the past made the Helao or
Fulao become a relatively closed population. Recently, studies of genetic
analysis supported that although all Han Chinese are indeed related and share a
common root, the Teochew had closest links with the Minnan area of Fujian
province and those from the Taihang Mountain range of north-central China.
The Teochew people are known to Cantonese speakers as "Hoklo", literally
meaning "men of Fujian", although the term “Teochew” was used in the Strait
Settlements in the 19th century and early 20th century. "Teochew" is derived
from Teochew prefecture the departmental city where they originate.
= Teochew immigration to Singapore = From the 19th century, due to
disadvantaged circumstances, significant numbers of Teochew people left their
homeland for Singapore and a new life. Early Teochew settlers could trace their
origins to eight counties/prefectures: Chao'an, Chenghai, Chaoyang, Jieyang,
Raoping, Puning, Huilai and Nan'ao. In addition to these, new immigrants
leaving from Port Swatow, there were Teochew people relocating to Singapore
from Siam and Riau Islands. Today, Teochew is the second largest
spoken Chinese language used in Singapore. They are the second largest
dialect group in Singapore at 21% of the Chinese Population. As a result, they
play a significant role in the opposition party scenes with orators
such as Low Thia Khiang = Teochew in Taiwan =
Most of the Teochew descendants in Taiwan have already been "hokkienized".
They speak the Taiwanese Hokkien language instead of Teochew. Some of
them consider themselves as being Hakka. However, there are still some Teochew in
Chaojhou township, in Pingtung County. Culture
Throughout the history of over 1000 years, the region of Chaoshan, anciently
named Teochew Prefecture, has bred and evolved a prestigious culture, which
manifests its unique characteristics in language, opera, cuisine, tea practice,
music and embroidery. The Teochew dialect is considered one of
the oldest Chinese dialects as it preserves many features from ancient
Chinese that have been lost in some counterparts. It is spoken by roughly 10
million people in Chaoshan and more than five million outside the Chinese
mainland. Teochew opera is a traditional art form
which has a history of more than 500 years and is now loved by 20 million
Teochew people in over 20 countries and regions. Based on local folk dances and
ballads, Teochew opera has formed its own style under the influence of Nanxi
Opera. Nanxi is one of the oldest Chinese operas and originated in the
Song Dynasty. The old form of choral accompaniment still preserves its
special features. Clowns and females are the most distinctive characters in a
Teochew opera, and fan-play and acrobatic skills are prominent.
Teochew music is popularly played in Chaoshan's teahouse scene. The Teochew
string instrument, gong, drum and traditional Chinese flute, are typically
involved in ensembles. The current Chaozhou drum music is said to be
similar to the form of the Drum and Wind Music of the Han and Tang Dynasties.
Teochew woodcarving(潮州木雕) is a form of Chinese woodcarving originating in the
Tang Dynasty. It is very popular in Chaoshan. Teochew people used a great
deal of Teochew wood carving in their buildings.
Yingge dance(英歌)is a form of Chinese folk dance originating in the Ming
Dynasty. It is one of the most representative form of folk arts.
Although few movies or television dramas have been made of the Teochew people,
one such notable drama is the Singaporean 1995 drama series The
Teochew Family. Prominent Teochew people
= Entrepreneurs = Mainland China
Huang Guangyu, founder and chairman of GOME Group; once the richest person in
mainland China Ma Huateng, General Manager of Tencent
Computer System Co., Ltd and creator of QQ
Lin Shouzhi rubber merchant and supporter of Sun Yat-sen
Hong Kong Li Ka-shing, founder and chairman of
Cheung Kong Group; the richest person of Chinese and Chinese descent in the
world; very famous for his enormous fortune, business acumen and generous
charity work. Charles Heung, founder, chairman and CEO
of China Star Group Lim Por-yen; founder of Lai Sun Group,
media tycoon, banker and charitarian Albert Yeung, founder and chairman of
Emperor Group Joseph Lau, founder, chairman and CEO of
Chinese Estates Group Vincent Lo, founder and chairman of Shui
On Group Thailand
Low Kiok Chiang, founder of Khiam Hoa Heng entreprises
Chin Sophonpanich, founder of Bangkok Bank
Dhanin Chearavanont, CEO of Charoen Pokphand Group(Chia Tai Group)
Prachai Leophai-ratana, founder and former CEO of Thai Petrochemical
Industry and TPI Polene Chatri Sophonpanich, CEO of Bangkok Bank
Krit Ratanarak, CEO of Siam City Cement Public Company Limited and Bank of
Ayudhya Public Company Limited Singapore
Lien Ying Chow, founder and CEO of Overseas Union Bank
Tang Choon Keng, founder of Tangs Lim Nee Soon
Lim Tau Yong, millionaire founder of Emporium Holdings Singapore
Malaysia Tan Sri William Cheng, chairman of Lion
Group and Parkson Retail Group France
Tang Frères, founder and CEO of Tang Frères
United States David Tran, founder of Huy Fong Foods
Vietnam Quách Đàm, founder of Bình Tây
Market—one of the most famous and important markets in Cholon and Saigon,
one of the richest people in Indochina at that time
Tram Be, founder of Trieu An Hospital in Saigon; one of the richest people in
Vietnam = Film directors =
Mainland China Zheng Zhengqiu, famous director, and the
film "Nan Fu Nan Qi directed by him was the first feature film in China's
history Cai Chusheng, famous director, and the
film Yu Guang Qu directed by him received the first international film
prize in China's history Hong Kong
Ringo Lam, famous director Herman Yau, famous director
= Literary figures and artists = Mainland China
Da-Wen Sun, world authority in food engineering education and research.
Xu Dishan,philosopher. Hong Zicheng, Scholar in the Field of
the History of Literature Chen Pingyuan, literary professor
Hong Kong Tchan Fou-li Founder of Chinese
Photographic Association of Hong Kong and internationally known photographer.
Zhao Tingyang, Chinese philosophy researcher
Jao Tsung-I, Chinese scholar, poet, calligrapher and painter
Chua Lam, columnist, food critic, movie producer.
Canada Vincent Lam; born in Canada, novelist
United States Wena Poon; born in Singapore, novelist
= Politicians = Canada
Alice Wong（黄陳小萍）, Minister of State for Seniors,the first Chinese-Canadian woman
sitting in Cabinet. Singapore
Tan Soo Khoon, former Speaker of the Parliament of Singapore
Lee Boon Yang, former Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts
Teo Chee Hean, Deputy Prime Minister Low Thia Khiang, Secretary-General,
Workers’ Party, Member of Parliament for Aljunied
Lim Swee Say, Cabinet Minister in Prime Minister's Office
Lim Boon Heng,former Cabinet Minister Baey Yam Keng, Member of Parliament,
Tampines Seng Han Thong, Member of Parliament,
Yio Chu Kang George Yeo, former Minister for Foreign
Affairs Teo Ser Luck, Senior Parliamentary
Secretary for the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports and
Ministry of Transport Chiam See Tong, prominent Opposition
Member of Parliament Thailand
Banharn Silpa-archa, 21st Prime Minister of Thailand
Chamlong Srimuang, former Deputy Prime Minister and Governor of Bangkok
Pridi Banomyong, 7th Prime Minister of Thailand
Malaysia Chua Jui Meng, Former Minister of
Health. Chua Soi Lek, Former Minister of Health.
Chua Tee Yong, Member of Parliament = Sportspeople =
United States Michael Chang, former professional
tennis player Singapore
Tan Howe Liang, the first Singaporean Olympic individual Silver medallist.
= Entertainers = Mainland China
He Meitian, actress Chen Chusheng, singer
Chrissie Chau, actress and model Hong Kong
Canti Lau, actor and singer Sammul Chan, actor, singer
Emil Chau, actor and singer Matthew Ko, model
Kwong Wa, actor and singer Miriam Yeung, actress and singer
Sammi Cheng, actress and singer Ada Choi, actress
Steven Ma, actor and singer Stephen Wong Cheung-Hing, actor
Singapore Zoe Tay, actress
Chen Shucheng (1949–;Chaoshan, Chaozhou; born in Singapore, actor
Chen Liping(陈莉萍） (1965–;Chaozhou, Guangdong; born in Singapore, actress
Huang Wenyong(黄文永），actor Celest Chong, singer and actress
Stefanie Sun, singer South Korea
Jang Yong; born in South Korea), actor Richard Be
= Others = Limahong,, famous pirate
Lê Văn Viễn, leader of a powerful Vietnamese criminal organisation—Bình
Xuyên Organisation Somdet Phrachao Taksin Maharaj or Somdet
Phrachao Krung Thonburi, former King of Thailand
Henry Lau, singer from Super Junior-M who is currently active in South Korea
Amber Liu, singer from f(x) who is currently active in South Korea
See also Thai Chinese, the majority of whom are
of Teochew descent. References
External links UC Berkeley Teo-Chew Association
Gaginang, a teochew nonprofit organization