MIA in 2013

Daige ho - Various things have kept me from updating this blog, but I suppose I felt a little nostalgic for Teochew things, so here is another assemblage of videos:

First two travel videos from Thailand. The first "Spirit of Asia" a 25 minute show (pretty high production value I might add!), brings us to Sua:tao where they visit a family with Teochew-Thai folks with relatives in Sua:tao. In Thai (ซัวเถา), the tao in Sua:tao seems to be pronounced with a rising tone. There are English subtitles starting around the 5 minute mark. The second is the narrator's introduction/reflection about the history of Teochews emigrating from Sua:tao to Thailand. His Thai is quite clear! (I'm learning Thai!)





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From Singapore is  the YouTube use "TeochewGaginang" who for a while now has been producing some decent videos about basic Teochew. She speaks in English and teaches the fundamentals from greetings to countings, and colors and what not. This particular video is about being sick.


And lastly a video from China. It's actually taken from a radio program about Teochew phrases. Pretty cool stuff, if not hard to understand because they speak in fast Teochew radio voices. Hope everyone enjoys all these new videos.

Province Towns in Sua:tao

The wonderful bloggers at "My Shantou" haven't been updating lately, but going through their archives I found an interesting article about how Chinese from different provinces create little neighborhoods or districts in Shantou where the people there are predominately from a particular city or province in China. For example, there is an Anhui town in Shantou. This is quite similar to the phenomenon of Chinatowns all over the world. Local Teosua: people have trouble communicating with these province town dwellers (perhaps because of strong Mandarin accents). Read more about it here: http://myshantou.org/province-town.html

Teochew Letters Home (Kiao Poi)

Kiaopoi Bhungmuetguang Website

Found this link from fellow Gaginangers Vinh and Michelle. "Qiao Pi Teochew Letters" is a project, based out of Sua:tao, dedicated to bringing back to life the stories of Teochew people living abroad who wrote back to their family members in China. The project is actually part of an entire museum (Kiaopoi Bhungmuetguang) that covers all about this time period. Apparently there are those who are fanatics about preserving the original letters of overseas Teochew. Interesting stuff!

Check out their website here

Is Teochew Useful?

Fellow Gaginang staff member JC found this gem of young Diosua: people sharing their opinions on the following question: Is speaking Teochew useful? Most of them think it is *I'll add some translations soon*. I think its just great to see young people speaking it. A lot of you may not be familiar with the accent from China, but once you listen to it for a while it becomes quite understandable. Kudos to the video maker and Youtuber Baconwalk for posting it.

Teochew Hip-Hop: Afinger and Happy New Year!

Happy New Year - I've been slow to post since 2012 started, BUT, wanted to share two things. First a video from a live performance of Afinger, a Teochew hip-hop group. It would be so interesting to attend a concert of TC music and filled with TC people.

Also, more importantly... it's almost New Year's Time! Happy Lunar New Year to everyone - jok daige sing ni kuailak! In the meantime I'll try to look for another awesome Teochew New Year's video. =D

Protests in Diosua:

As of late there's been two major protests that made it to Western media channels...  check out this video from CNN HK/Beijing.

1) Wukan (near Sua:bhuè 汕尾) - Townspeople claim that a protest leader died of torture. Government officials claim he died of a heart attack. I'm not clear on why the original protest happened.

2) Haimen (near Dio:'iō: 潮陽) - Townspeople (30,000!) gathered to protest a current AND a new planned coal powerplant. Apparently the gov't has backed down on this second one. Go Haimen people!

I'm glad that Diosua: people are fighting against corruption and attacks on the local environment. Protest in Teochew is kàngngì 抗議。

We are Gik-io:nang!

CHECK OUT THE MANGA HERE

Small snippet of the comic, go HERE for the full thing

Found this internet manga called "Uàng si Gīk-ionāng" (We are Gik-io: People). For those who don't know, Gik-io: is a city in the Diosua: region. The comic focuses on anthropomorphized tea kettles (very Teochew!) and  is light-hearted and quite funny. I really like the art and facial expressions. The linked episode is called "Gaginang". I think there's about a dozen of them. seems like they were created for that website "Chaoshanren.net" One interesting thing to note is that the whole thing is in Chinese characters and yet is in Teochew. Those Chinese readers who don't know know Teochew will probably be quite confused reading it.  For some a good percentage of words it uses Mandarin characters that approximate the sound of Teochew... for example:

- uà would normally be written 我 but is written as 瓦 in the comic. 
- măi would normally be written 勿 but is written 邁 in the comic.

I'll do a translation:


1A Jájai mài duà hiot jọi muetgiá:! / If I'd known, I wouldn't have brought so many things!
1B Mmm? / Hmm..
2B Hẹnglì kēt uà! / Give me the luggage!
2A Pāt kiot? Chàm liạo! / Oh no! Is he planning to steal stealing my stuff?

3A Nguánglại A Hia: sị hósim. Siohụ uà bua muetgiá, jọisiạ, jọisiạ!  / Turned out that you're a pretty nice guy. Helping me move my stuff, thanks a lot man!
3B Uàng lóngsị Gēk-iọ:nāng, dọ káo giā: diot siohú gagināng! / We're all Gek-io people! You have to help your own people!

3A Hia: a! Mó-ìseu, uà singdèng gại ngīng ṃ lạ hāi... / Hey man! So sorry, but I'm don't have enough to pay...
3B ...

Mué oi!

Yes, I've been searching videos like crazy on Youku 尤酷 a Chinese internet video website. Found this hilarious video ... the guy is pretty funny, though a little old for high school! This video is about finding love in unexpected places... ha ha ha. Plus the Teochew is quite easy to understand. Enjoy this video from the artist Dio: Chiụ Tōng 張樹桐 It's from an album called "Che:-I" or "Green Shirt". He has some other videos that poke fun.

Teochew Artist: Ku Họng Ù 邱洪宇

Next Teochew artist is Ku Họng Ù 邱洪宇 (his family name might be pronounced "kiu"). This video probably has the highest production value I've ever seen from a Teochew music video (Produced by Dongo Music 東音社 - website seems out of commission) Plus, his voice is pretty damn good - it reminds me of Richie and he even looks a bit like him too. I think its great that this guy wrote a song about his momma and she's even in the video too! Schweeeeeet - Teochew people coming UP in the modern music world!

Teochew Artist: Dio: Mạng Hōng 張夢虹

*NEWS FLASH*: This just in: a singer who sings in Teochew, and the music is MODERN. Don't believe me? Take a listen. This song is called  《Chiù Kang Chiù Giā: 手牽手行》Yeah, its a bit cutesy and sounds kind of like a lot of Mandarin/Cantonese music out there, but freak man, it's modern! Apparently she is from 普寧 Pouleng (and you can tell by the way she says 汝 lèu as lù). Enjoy! I've included a direct video for her song Chiù Kang Chiù Giā:. Also here is a link to another of her songs 《Hue Mịng Ngiao 花面貓》

Teochew Cartoons

Dạigehò! I know I have been slow to post in the last couple of months, so I've decided to step it up a notch and post THREE times today - because I love you so much (but mostly because I found a bunch of awesome things). For this first one: Cartoons!

Who doesn't reminisce about Saturday morning cartoons? Let's check out some real Teochew cartoons from China! The first one is about 出花園 Chuk Hue Hēung - anTeochew coming of age ceremony for both boys and girls (like a Sweet 16, Bar mitzvah, or Quicenera). If you have never heard of it this is a perfect introduction on what it entails. The second is 柴房会外传 Chàibāng Hué Ghuạ Juang or Firewood House Story. The Teochew in both is quite understandable. Enjoy!

A Teochew Version of "The View"

 
Ah yes, "The View" - an American talk and variety show featuring the opinions of four women, including Barbara Walters, Whoopi, and Joy Behar, and others... well, Teochew people gots their own show with opinionated women! Check out 美女觀天下 múi nèung guang ti: é (literally: Beautiful Women Viewing Everything Under the Sky). One of the most interesting things I notice is how different their accents are. I like the host's accent the best - well, at least its easiest for me to understand, and also the one in red. Some of the others have weird tones, or pronounce things weird. Also I can tell one or two of them are making mistakes on some words, and also fill in their missing TC with Mandarin or even Cantonese occasionally. Anyhow, one interesting show is about "Growing Up With Teochew Parents" and "Teochew Guys and Male Chauvinism"... click on the picture then scroll down on the left to the top rated shows "嫁人要嫁潮汕男？" or "潮汕男人與大男子主義".

Teochew Hip Hop

A while back I posted some songs from some Sua:tao hip-hop artists, now here is a short clip of an interview with some more - with English subtitles (its in Mandarin, but the music is in Teochew)! Enjoy! I honestly can't say the music sounds great, but then again, I'm not much of a hip-hop fan. I wonder where all the Teochew indie music is though... I guess that's just more searching to do!

Teochew Food & Culture: A Visit From Singapore to China!

Food Nation: Teochew from Mak CK on Vimeo.
Food Nation is a TV show (web or broadcast?) that covers, yes, food. This 45 min episode is all about Teochew food. They compare all the Teochew foods that Singaporeans are used to eating with the versions in the Teochew homeland. On the way, they also get to experience other aspects of Teochew culture. It's a great primer on Teochew culture actually, particularly for anyone who doesn't know what to say Teochew culture is about... my only qualm about this otherwise awesome find is that everyone speaks Mandarin except for two or three people (The kid in the beginning, the oyster fisherman, an the Singapore blogger who says "Sua:" and "Hài") [that was pretty cool by the way - his explanation about the muē, heh heh) Here's what you'll get a taste of.

Oyster Omelette Ọluat
Yam Paste Ọunī
Braised Goose Lọghō
Teochew Woodcarving
Kungfu Tea Gang-hudē
Bamboo Dumplings Sungguè
"Mouse Shell Gue" Chéukākguè?
Kaiyuan Temple and Xihu
Teochew Opera Diọgiāt
B-boy dancing
Rice Porridge Muē

Guiyu, E-waste Epicenter is near Sua:tāo!

Have you heard of Guiyu 貴嶼, e-waste epicenter of the world? Back in 2008 there were lots of reports of this electronic graveyard and environmental disaster site located somewhere in Guangdong, and at the time I found out, to my dismay, that, guess what, it's in Diọjiu (Chaoshan). It's in Sua:tao County, halfway between Póulēng and Diọ-iō: I was aghast! You hear about all sorts of environmental disasters and problems around the world, but you never REALLY think about them until it's in your backyard or affecting people you know.

Does anyone have any information on what is going on in Guiyu in 2011? Has anyone ever been there? I also wonder if the people doing the dismantling are all local Diọsua: people or are there folks from other provinces who come here just to do the work. Questions, questions, questions. Also, what can we do to help? For me, I'm going to try to limit my technology purchases to what I absolutely need, not buying anything just because I want the latest and greatest. Also, the stuff I already have I will try to find a responsible e-waste recycler. Thinking back I have dumped the following: a Compaq Presario (it was a monster), a CRT monitor or two, a flatscreen monitor, 3 or 4 keyboards, 3 or 4 mouses, wires and cables plenty, a NES, SNES (or maybe I sold them), and countless other electronic devices... it's kind scary that I'm typing on a little flat box of poison. 

Check out the stories done of Guiyu back in 2008 from CBS's 60 Minutes and Greenpeace. The one from Greenpeace even has a picture of gang-hudē made from the local Guiyu water which is black. UGH. It was so black I thought it was a teacup cover.

Teochew Rap Anyone?

Okay people, are you ready for it? Teochew rap.... YES. I'm sure if you go to Diosua: there is actually a pretty big hip-hop/rap scene, with a quite a bit of interest in making music in Teochew. I've included three artists that I found on the internet. The latest two (that I found) is from MC BLS and 貓貓 CAT. 西社金牛, I found back in 2007. His song is ridiculously fast (Cat's rap part is fast too) - I think I can only attempt the choruses of both songs. I honestly don't understand most of the songs - it would require me to do some translation. In any case, it's just great to see (hear!) what can be done with our language.

尚浪險 (Siạng Lạng Hiàm) by MC BLS


汕尾女孩 (Sua: Bhuè Néung Hai) by 貓貓 CAT


酒肉茶話 (Jiụ Nēk Dẹ Uẹ) by 西社金牛(Sai Siạ Gim Ghū)

2 Minutes in Sua:tao

Never been to Sua:tao? Or maybe you have, but only have two minutes to spare? Well, I have the thing just for you: A techno/game music-infused two minute tour of Sua:tao. Truly, the video doesn't do it justice at all - I wish someone would do a full HD video sharing all the awesomeness that is Diosua:, but I've yet to find any online. Maybe that's my next project? In any event, the video brings your from old town in Sua:tao to the waterfront, then to a small town (probably in nearby Pouleng or Dio-io:), then on a boat ride, puppet viewing, temple visit, grave visit, Teochew food all along the journey, and then back to the old city and waterfront. Also, I want to note that Diojiuchi (Teochew City) itself is in my opinion much awesomer than Sua:tao. With that said, enjoy!