I am starting a new forum thread on this fascinating topic to share the inspiring & motivating material about successful Minnan (Bân-lâm 闽南) peoples from the past to present generations. Contributions and comments are welcome from the all member and readers of the Hokkien (Minnan) Forum to rectify any mistakes I had written. Kam-sia 感谢/To Sia 多谢 in advance for your support.
MinNan (Bân-lâm 闽南) peoples and language sub-group with its own varieties are: -
- "Minnan Golden Triangle": Quanzhou, Zhangzhou. Amoy and Taiwanese (MinNan / Bân-lâm proper or Hokkien/Hoklo, )
- Teochew (Dio⁵ziu¹ uê⁷) in Chaoshan (潮汕) region, Guangdong
- Leizhou/Qiongwen/Hainanese in Leizhou Peninsula and Hainan Province
- Puxian Min (Putian/Hing hua)
- minor subgroups, such as Zhenan Min 浙南閩語/Chiat-lâm-bân-gí (Wu influences) in Zhejiang Province
- Zhongshan Min 中山閩語(Cantonese influence) in Guangdong Province
- For more information about the Mǐn 闽语/Mǐn yǔ (Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Bân gú), refer to the Geographical Map and Min Language Chart at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Min_Chinese
From the above locations/territories, we could basically described MinNan (Bân-lâm 闽南) peoples as more of the "plains or coastal" race. MinNan (Bân-lâm 闽南) peoples are seldom refer to as the mountainous peoples due to their affinity to water and agriculture. Rice and seafoods are their main diet.
MINNAN IDENTITY (Bân-lâm 闽南):
> Indeed, much of what might be termed a "Minnan Identity" was based upon a dynamic entrepreneurial culture and a cosmopolitanism that had been born in southern Fujian's "Minnan (Bân-lâm 闽南) Golden Triangle" but raised in colonial Southeast Asia (Nanyang).
> By mobilizing a revamped Confucianism and a newly discovered Minnan (Bân-lâm 闽南, Hokkien) historical identity, cultural heritage and wedding these to the commercial success of overseas Minnan (Bân-lâm 闽南, Hokkien) merchant life, many Hokkien's Huaqiao strove to build a stronger, modern Fujian capable of combining a "Chinese" past with a modernizing impetus rooted in Hokkien Huaqiao colonial Southeast Asia. (Source: http://www.factbites.com/topics/Minnan)
DESCRIPTIONS/PORTRAYALS & ACHIEVEMENTS OF MINNAN (BÂN-LÂM 闽南) PEOPLES:
Many Minnan / Bân-lâm 闽南) peoples had accomplished unprecedented success in the specific area of old and modern history. They had change history and life of the peoples, countries and the world in an area of:
• Entrepreneurship (example: Lim Goh Tong, Henry Sy. Sr.),
• Corporate business (Dr. Lucio C. Tan, Kwek Leng Beng, Yeoh Tiong Lay, Queck Leng Chan),
• Community leader (Seah Eu Chin, Tan Kah Kee, Tan Lark Sai),
• Philanthropist (Tan Kim Seng, Tan Kah Kee, Lim Goh Tong, Loh Boon Siew, Kwek Hong Png),
• Sports (Jeremy Lin, Liem Swie King, Lee Chong Wei, Hsieh Su-Wei)
• Politics (President Benigno S. Aquino III, Zhang Gaoli, Goh Chok Tong, Corazon Aquino, Lim Chong Eu)
• Music - pianist, musician etc (Yin Chengzong, Han Kuo-Huang),
• Mass Media & Entertainment (Yeoh Choo-Kheng, Raymond Lam Fung, Jiang Hui, Takeshi Keneshiro etc)
• Medical and Scientific & Research (Dr. Lin Qiaozhi, Pua Khein-Seng),
• Philosophy (Li Zhi, Zhu Xi),
• Education & Writer (Lin Yutang),
• Religions (Cardinal Jaime Sin)
• Military & Revolutionary leaders (Hong Chengchou, Koxinga, Jose Rizal) and
• many others including famous wanted criminals
such as pirates (Cai Qian), smugglers (Lai Changxing) etc. 
MINNAN IDENTITY (Bân-lâm 闽南)
Their achievement had made the Minnan peoples and Minnan traits to be admired today as the most resourceful, hard working, shrewd, successful, persistence, peace-loving and assimilative (eg. Baba and Nyonya).
Although many overseas Minnan (Bân-lâm 闽南) have lived in humble conditions overseas, the financial investments and donations they have made in their home province (Fujian/Hokkien) have contributed significantly toward industrial development and the construction of new schools, colleges, universities, hospitals, railways, bridges and roads.
Example by Tan Kah Kee (founder of the prestigious Xiamen University (old name University of Amoy), Lim Goh Tong (Genting Group) and thousands of others. Many overseas Minnan (Bân-lâm 闽南) peoples was responsible for gathering much support from the community to aid China in major events such as the Xinhai Revolution (1911), the Kuomintang's Northern Expedition (1926-1928), and the Second Sino-Japanese War (1937-1945). Apart from donating most of their assets and earnings to aid China in those major events, some even went to Mainland China to fight along the Chinese soldiers, such as the late Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu (former Chief Minister of Penang, Former MCA President) etc.
In history, the Minnan (Bân-lâm 闽南) peoples, centred on “the Xiamen-Zhangzhou-Quanzhou Triangle” also known as “Minnan((Bân-lâm 闽南)) Golden Triangle”, has the “reputation of being more commercial, adventurous, resourceful, shrewd and hardworking” Chinese peoples.
This Minnan (Bân-lâm 闽南) Golden Triangle is home to a "rich operatic and balladic tradition" of its own : (Hokkien Opera/koa-á-hì, Nanguan (Lamkóan) & Beiguan(Pakkóan) music, Glove Puppetry (pò͘-tē-hì etc).
Much of the modern history of the Bân-lâm 闽南/Minnan regions has been shaped by the close continuing contact between Bân-lâm 闽南 / Minnan peoples and their overseas relatives who began emigrating to South-east Asia (Nanyang) in the 16th century.
Since the ancient time, Minnan peoples is renowned in China, as the best for their talents and skills relating with its “Seafaring History”, has supplied many of China’s greatest naval officers, sea merchants, sailors and navigators for Marco Polo, Admiral Zheng Ho, Zheng Zhilong and Koxinga etc. During the Yuan Dynasty and Ming Dynasty, Europeans including the Portuguese, Spanish, British, Venetian and the Dutch already came to East Asia to trade. Many Chinese sea traders then were Fujianese with the Min Nan (Bân-lâm 闽南) people the most dominating and influential.
In today world, where there are Chinese entrepreneurs / businessmen overseas, you will definitely meet many Bân-lâm 闽南 / Minnan (Hokkien & Teochew) businessmen in every area of trade, plantations, constructions, manufacturing, banking, retail, educations, professional career, engineering, IT, scientist and many others sectors.
In fact, ancient Bân-lâm 闽南 / Minnan (Hokkien) people were renowned as skilled seafarers, navigators, sea merchants, merchant ships sailors & traders (some pirates-cum traders). They travelled/sailed and colonised (settled) in most of the coasts around China seas (Zhejiang, Guangdong, Hong Kong, Macao, Hainan Island and Japan) and South China seas (Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Indonesia, Thailand, Myanmar, Vietnam, Cambodia etc). Minnan people affinity to sea is well known that where there is an island or coast with fertile land, you will find Minnan peoples till today in South East China and South East Asia. There is a saying that “where there is coast/islands there will be Minnan (Bân-lâm 闽南) peoples.” In fact, ancient Minnan people were very good seafarers, they colonised most of the coasts around China sea.
During Yuan Dynasty (Kublai Khan), when Marco Polo needs to recruit their soldiers, sailors, navigators and sea merchants, he didn’t go to any other port in China but specifically go to South Fujian’s Quanzhou Port (also known by old name Zayton/Zaitun). In the Ming Dynasty, Admiral Zheng Ho also goes to South Fujian (Quanzhou, Amoy, Quemoy, Fuzhou) to recruit their navigators, naval soldiers and sea merchants. Koxinga also recruit his army and based his naval forces and armies at Minnan regions esp. Quemoy/Kinmen (POJ: Kim-mûi) to train and fight the Qing Army and the powerful colonial Dutch forces (to retrieve Taiwan). The reason Minnan (Bân-lâm 闽南) area merchants and sailors are most sough after is because Minnan’s (Bân-lâm 闽南) are highly skillful and knowledgeable with navigating the ships through the oceans and have the outstanding knowledge of naval military strategy in China (example is Zheng Zhilong).
Bân-lâm 闽南 /Minnan peoples became the most influential sea lord; all these through combining their ability in military force, diplomacy and shrewd/astute entrepreneurship. Even foreign traders (Arabs, Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch, British, Japanese, Indians, Malay Archipelago and other traders “admire and respect” the Minnan (Bân-lâm 闽南) merchants since ancients times. Even the Minnan’s pirates were highly feared such as Zheng Zhilong (Nicholas Iquan Gaspard) during the 12th to 19th Century in China's eastern and southern seas.
The shrewd and astute Bân-lâm 闽南/Minnan merchants had to protect their interests from rivals that include the Ming / Qing government corrupted officials who suppressed sea trade and migration, rival pirates, foreign pirates, Japanese traders and Europeans, Indians, Arabs. At times, Minnan (Bân-lâm 闽南) traders- and some traders-cum-pirates had to resort to piracy against Ming/Qing government vessels and rival pirates and European traders to survive without the protection of Beijing imperial army.
Fujian Province and Minnan (Bân-lâm 闽南) peoples are also known for its strong educational tradition. During the Ming and Qing dynasties many of China’s great statesmen and scholars came from the province. Of note are the 12th-century philosopher Zhu Xi, the 17th-century statesman Hong Chengchou, and the 17th-century military leader Zheng Chenggong (Koxinga) etc.
Minnan (Bân-lâm 闽南) businessmen is also known for its strong philanthropist tradition. Of note is Tan Kah Kee, known as the “Henry Ford of Asia,” who founded the prestigious Xiamen University in 1921 by donating hundred of millions dollars all by himself.
Fujian cuisine is considered to be one of China’s five main regional cooking styles, though it is not well known outside China. Characteristic of the style are the use of seafood and such ingredients as bamboo shoots and mushrooms that are gathered from mountainous areas; light seasonings that bring out the savory character of the ingredients; ingredients that are thinly sliced to enhance their flavour; and soups and broths.
Hokkien (Taiwanese) pop:
C-pop is an abbreviation for Chinese popular music: 中文流行音乐. There are only three main sub-genres within C-pop Music:
- Mandopop
- Cantopop, and
- Hokkien(Taiwanese) pop.
Hokkien pop, though having its roots in Japanese enka, has been re-integrating into C-pop and narrowing its trend of development towards Mandopop. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_pop_music)
Fujian cuisine is considered to be one of China’s five main regional cooking styles..
The so-called Eight Culinary Traditions of China are "Anhui, Cantonese, Fujian, Hunan, Jiangsu, Shandong, Szechuan, and Zhejiang cuisines". (Ref: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_cuisine) Characteristic of the Fujian (Hokkien) style are the use of seafood and such ingredients as bamboo shoots and mushrooms that are gathered from mountainous areas; light seasonings that bring out the savory character of the ingredients; ingredients that are thinly sliced to enhance their flavour; and soups and broths. Southern Fujian cuisine style is spicy and sweet tastes are often found and the selection of sauces used is elaborate. Quanzhou (Chôan-chiu) cuisine style is the less oily but with the strongest taste/flavour of Fujian cuisine. Great emphasis is placed on the shape of the material for each dish. Another Fujian cuisine style is Fuzhou style.
HOKKIEN (MinNan or Bân-lâm 闽南) FAMILIES
There were primarily from eight families in central China: Lin (林), Huang (黄), Chen (陈), Zheng (郑), Zhan (詹), Qiu (邱), He (何), and Hu (胡). The first four remain as the major surnames of modern Fujian Province till today. There are hundreds of other surnames for Minnan (Bân-lâm 闽南) peoples in Fujian, Guangzhou, Taiwan and other places.
HOW THE "HOKKIEN (MinNan or Bân-lâm 闽南)" DERIVE THEIR NAME
This area (province) was also the place for “the Kingdom of Minyue”.
The word "Mǐnyuè" was derived by combining "Mǐn" (閩/闽; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: bân), perhaps an ethnic name and associated with the Chinese word for barbarians (蠻/蛮; pinyin: mán; POJ: bân), and "Yuè", after the State of Yue, a Spring and Autumn Period kingdom in Zhejiang Province to the north. This is because the royal family of Yuè fled to Fujian after their kingdom was annexed by the State of Chu in 306 BC. (REF: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fujian)
Mǐn is also the name of the main river in Fujian Province, but the ethnonym is probably earlier. The Min River (闽江 /閩江; Mǐn Jiāng) is a 577 kilometres (359 mi)-long river in Fujian province. It is the largest river in Fujian, and an important water transport channel.
MAIN ECONOMY FOR THE HOKKIEN (MinNan or Bân-lâm 闽南) PEOPLES
MinNan or Bân-lâm 闽南 are one of the more affluent peoples in China & overseas.
In Modern Economy, MinNan or Bân-lâm 闽南 peoples were majoring in many industries such as:
• Spanning Tea Production
• Clothing & sports manufacturers (textiles, footwear, fashion and apparel)
• ICT (Information & Communications Technology) & Telecommunications,
• Electronics Assembly & Manufacturing
• Paper production
• Food processing
• Tanning
• Machine tool manufacturing
• Chemical industries: Chemicals Production & Processing
• Financial services (Banking, Insurance, Underwriting)
• Convention & Exhibition
• Shipping/Warehousing/Logistics
• Trading & Distribution, International trade
• Cultural Industries
• Biotechnology/Pharmaceuticals,
• Research and Development
• Packaging
• Instruments & Industrial Equipment Production, machinery
• Medical Equipment and Supplies
• Petrochemicals
• Heavy Industry - major producer of quarry granite & ceramics, shipbuilding etc
ECONOMIC FACTS ABOUT MINNAN GOLDEN TRIANGLE
• "Minnan (Bân-lâm 闽南) Golden Triangle" which includes "Xiamen, Quanzhou and Zhangzhou" accounts for more than 40% of the GDP of Fujian province.
• Xiamen Wushipu Oil Painting village and Xiamen Haicang Oil Painting Village has been named as “the second of the world oil painting industry base”. 80% market shares in European & American market is taken up by products exported from Xiamen.
• Quanzhou (Chôan-chiu) & Xiamen (Amoy) is the biggest automotive market in Fujian; it has the highest number of private automobile possession per capita in China.
• Quanzhou(Chôan-chiu)'s textile and apparel production accounts for 10% of China,
• Quanzhou's production of Sports and Tourism shoes accounts for 80% of China, or 20% of the world.
• Quanzhou’s stone exports account for 50% of the country
• Quanzhou’s resin handicraft exports account for 70% of the country
• Quanzhou’s ceramic exports account for 67% of the country
• Quanzhou’s candy production accounts for 20% of the country.
• Jinjiang County, Shishi County, Nanan County, Huian County, Anxi County, these 5 counties from Quanzhou (Chôan-chiu) City have been 100 most powerful economic county in china for many years. Which again shows Quanzhou (Chôan-chiu) is a most developed area in Fujian province, and even in China.
• Quanzhou (Chôan-chiu) GDP ranks first in Fujian Province for 20 years. From 1991 to 2010. Different districts and counties in
• Quanzhou (Chôan-chiu) have their own special industries which are known to the rest of China. Jinjiang and shishi are famous for Apparel and textile, Hui’an is famous for its stone, Quangang is famous for petrifaction, Dehua is Ceramics, Yongchun is Citrus, Anxi is WULONG (Oolong) Tea, Nan An is building materials, Fengze is resin.
In the Traditional Economy or in terms of Agricultural Land, MinNan or Bân-lâm 闽南 peoples were most famous in China in the production of:-
• Rice is the main crop, supplemented by sweet potatoes and wheat and barley.
• Cash crops include sugar cane and rapeseed.
• Fujian province leads the provinces of China in “Longan production”,
• Fujian is also a major producer of “Lychees”. Lychee is a subtropical fruit tree native to Fujian, Taiwan, Hainan etc.
• Quanzhou is a major exporter of agricultural products such as tea, banana, lychee and rice.
• Since Bân-lâm 闽南 are the coastal or plains peoples, the Seafood & seafood farming are another important product, with shellfish production especially prominent. Due to the fertile plains in plains area, Bân-lâm 闽南 peoples were main producers of vegetables, flowers, fruits etc.
• In South East Asia (Nanyang (南洋), the large agriculture plantations such as Rubber and Oil Palm/Palm Oil production are monopolise by the MinNan or Bân-lâm 闽南 entrepreneurs esp. in Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines etc.
• NOTE:
In fact, the English word “TEA, LONGAN, LYCHEE” is probably borrowed from Minnan (Bân-lâm 闽南) language.
MINNAN OR BÂN-LÂM 闽南 TEA
➢ Many famous teas originate from Fujian, esp Minnan Oolong, Tiě Guānyīn, Dà Hóng Páo and Fuzhou jasmine tea. (Ref: https://www.peonyts.com/overview-of-minnan-oolong/)
➢ Indeed, the tea processing techniques for three major classes tea, namely, oolong, white tea, and black tea were all developed in the Hokkien province.
➢ Fujian (Hokkien) Tea Ceremony is an elaborate way of preparing and serving tea. In fact, the English word "tea" is borrowed from Minnan (Bân-lâm 闽南) language.
➢ Anxi County (An-khoe kōan/安溪县) in Quanzhou (Chôan-chiu) is known as "the Tea Capital of the World" since ancient times. (REF: https://www.peonyts.com/overview-of-minnan-oolong/)
➢ China Tea Capital (中国茶都; Zhongguo Chadu) in Anxi County is a large center dedicated to showcasing Anxi County's famous “Tieguanyin Tea".
➢ Fujian is number one area in the production of tea in China (namely Oolong, White tea, and black tea in China. The “Tieguanyin Tea (Iron Goddess Guanyin / Tiě Guānyīn or Ti Kuan Yin (鐵觀音))" is world most famous brand.
➢ Dà Hóng Páo (大红袍) is the world most expensive brand of tea [can sell for up to USD $1,250,000 per kilogram].
➢ Both the Tieguanyin Tea and Dà Hóng Páo are Oolong (POJ: Or-liong tea) / black dragon tea) varieties.
From Pier L (Modified on Sunday 14 July 2013)
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