Do you know Chaoshan area, a place of distinct national characteristics? If you never heard it, it’s OK, let me tell you now about my hometown.
By Yixuan Lin 130701122 class 4
About languages
There are three languages in Guangdong Province, including cantonese , hakka and teochew. Teochew is used in Chaoshan area mainly. It is a truth universally acknowledged, that Teochew is more difficult than mandarin. For the nonnative people, learning teochew is rough, spending many years to master it is absolute. Chaoshan area covers an area of a sountheastern plain in Guangdong Province, whose name is Chaoshan plain . The Tropic of cancer passes Chaoshan area, so it is impossible to see snow there, on the other hands, it is common to see typhoon there, especially in summer, because it is at the seasides.
About history
Long long ago, when Chaoshan area was very poor, the ancestors had to find a new way to seek surival, so they traveled far away across the sea, went to the Kra Peninsula to make money. Nowdays many Chaoshan people have relatives in Singapore, Thailand and so on. At that time,the people who stayed at the hometown were worried about the people outside, so they worshiped deities to pray their relatives for safety. Therefore,most Chaoshan people are superstitious today, especially in countryside. Now Chaoshan people worshipes deities at the beginning of every month and the middle of every month to the lunar calendar. Besides, every solar term, they worshipes deities , too. In addition,Chaoshan people are traditional, which bring about low divorce rate.
About local music
About music, Chaoshan area have its national music. First, it is Chaoshan big gong and drum. The music is leaping vigorous and full of excited emotion, and it is usually played in the Spring Festival. To be honored, Chaoshan big gong and drum appeared on CCTV. Besides, before and after Spring Festival, Chaoshan big gong and drum and deities parade the streets. At that time, the streets is very lively. Second, it is Chao Opera, which is a opera playing in Teochew. The old man in Chaoshan area usually watch Chao Opera on TV, which is a popular entertainment in their daily time.Also, theatrical troupes perform Chao Opera in front of ancestral hall on holidays.
About food
Concerning food, the biggest characteristic of Chanshan food is fresh. Due to Chaoshan area is at the seaside , seafood is universal. Chaoshan food is lighter than other places in China.They eat hot pot in the winter , but they don’t need hot pot bottom material. Chaoshan people have no habit of eating spicy food. Out of lunch and dinner time, Chaoshan people often drink Kung Fu tea, which is a tea different from other places in China. Every family has at least one tea set at home and they must make tea when guests come to express their welcome for guests.
Chaoshan have many characteristic things besides what I introduced, above. Chanshan area is a well place for those who like characteristic things.
