Tseung Kwan O Village

Established during the early Ming dynasty, Tseung Kwan O Village has witnessed centuries of change. Tseung Kwan O Village endured a period of abandonment during the Great Clearance of the early Qing dynasty. The resilient villagers returned and rebuilt their lives in the late 17th century. Tseung Kwan O Village sits at the northern edge of Junk Bay, nestled at the base of a small mountain. Originally, the ocean lapped close by, a mere 100 feet from the village edge. Land reclamation in the 1970s dramatically altered the landscape, pushing the shoreline back and making way for urban development. The village is officially recognized under the New Territories Small House Policy. This policy grants indigenous villagers certain rights regarding land and housing. The “Ng” and “Chan” families are the most prominent families in Tseung Kwan O Village. In 2006, the village head was a member of the Ng family. Now the Chan Family leads the village. A British law from 1895 further cemented the rights of indigenous villagers. This granted them special land, burial, and inheritance privileges. However, these traditional rights are increasingly contested as land in Hong Kong becomes scarcer and more valuable. In 1911, the population of Tseung Kwan O Village numbered 193, with 90 males. Life in Tseung Kwan O Village revolved around fishing and horticulture. Villagers employed dynamite and nets for fishing, and ingenious rope traps were used to capture owls for their meat. Annual celebrations and inter-village trade were vital aspects of their traditional way of life. The relentless march of urbanization has disrupted these traditions and reshaped the village’s relationship with its surroundings. Even the unique Tseung Kwan O dialect is fading, with younger generations losing their connection to their ancestral tongue. A power substation operated by CLP Group is located near Tseung Kwan O Village, a stark reminder of the modern world’s encroachment on this historic settlement. Tseung Kwan O Village stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of its inhabitants. It’s a place where echoes of the past mingle with the realities of the present.