How did members of the Man clan establish a walled village? That village is Shek Wu Wai. Let me tell you its story. We are standing in front of Shek Wu Wai. It is a Punti walled village. This village is in the San Tin area of Yuen Long District in Hong Kong.
Shek Wu Wai is a recognized village. It falls under the New Territories Small House Policy. The village sits at the south end of the San Tin area. It is south of the San Tin Highway. This highway separates Shek Wu Wai from other villages. These include Yan Shau Wai and Fan Tin Tsuen. These are main villages of the Man clan.
Shek Wu Wai was established about 300 years ago. Members of the Man clan branched out from Chau Tau Tsuen. This makes it comparatively young. It is among the villages established by the Man clan.
In 1911, the census counted 56 people in Shek Wu Wai. Of these, 37 were male. In June 2022, there was a rejected application. Sun Hung Kai Properties and Hongkong Land wanted to build 11292 flats here.
Shek Wu Wai features an entrance gate. It was rebuilt in 1965. The gate has two circular holes above the doorway. These holes serve feng shui and security purposes. The village also has shrines. An Earth God shrine sits within the gate. Other shrines include a Pak Tai shrine and another Earth God shrine.
Let’s look closer at the Man clan of San Tin. The ancestor of the Man clan was Man Tin Shui. He lived from 1240 to 1298. He fled to Guangdong during the Mongol Empire’s invasion. Man Sai Gor was the seventh generation of Man Tin Shui. He arrived at Tuen Mun. Later, he settled in San Tin during the Yongle reign of the Ming dynasty. His descendants lived in walled villages and six villages.
The Man clan was forced to leave due to the Coastal Evacuation Order. They abandoned their houses and farmlands. After the order was lifted in 1669 they returned. The Man Ancestral Hall was rebuilt. New ancestral halls were built as the clan expanded.
The Man clan relied on crop cultivation and fish farming. They were famous for a wine. It was made from a special type of red grain. Many Mans emigrated to seek better opportunities. They moved to the United Kingdom and other European countries. They sent money back to support their families. This money helped reconstruct houses and renovate temples.
Traditional festivals held by the Man clan include Chinese New Year. They also celebrate the Spring and Autumn Sacrificial Rites. The clan observes Dim dang in ancestral halls. They also celebrate Ching Ming Festival and Chung Yeung Festival. Every three years, they hold Da Jiu. They celebrate Tin Hau Festival and Je Fu in Tung Shan Temple. The gate of Shek Wu Wai stands as a reminder. It connects us to the resilience and traditions of its people. It is a legacy that continues to shape this village.