Lost in the mists of time lies a poignant tale. A tale of sacrifice resilience and a community’s enduring spirit. We stand before Sam Mun Tsai a name whispered on the winds that once carried the cries of fishermen. This is not just a village. This is a testament to a community’s strength.
Before the construction of Plover Cove Reservoir Sam Mun Tsai was a thriving fishing village. Hundreds of families lived and worked here their lives intertwined with the sea. Their homes nestled close to the water’s edge. Their livelihoods depended on the bounty of the ocean.
Then came the dam. A monumental engineering project that would reshape the landscape forever. In 1966 the decision was made. To create the reservoir the original Sam Mun Tsai had to be sacrificed. Three hundred and sixty families were forced to leave their homes. Their ancestral lands were submerged. Their way of life was threatened.
But the spirit of Sam Mun Tsai was not broken. The fishermen relocated to a new site on an island. A new village rose from the ashes. Sam Mun Tsai New Village was born. It stands as a reminder of their resilience their unwavering commitment to their community and their connection to the sea. Here they continue to fish and maintain their traditions.
The story of Sam Mun Tsai is one of loss. It is a story of upheaval. It is also a story of incredible strength and survival. It’s a reminder that even in the face of adversity a community can rebuild itself and forge a new path.
Today as you look across the waters you can almost see the ghosts of the old village. You can feel the echoes of the past. You can appreciate the strength of a community that refused to let its history be drowned. Sam Mun Tsai lives on not just as a place but as a symbol of perseverance.