Teochew people

Ethnic group

Ethnic group

Teochew People

潮州人 / 潮汕人 / 汕頭人 / 揭阳人

Total population
25,000,000[1]
Regions with significant populations
Mainland China| 10 million
Hong Kong| Minority population
Thailand| Largest group of Thai Chinese
Cambodia| Largest group of Chinese Cambodians (200,000–800,000)
Singapore| One of the three largest groups of Chinese Singaporeans
Myanmar| One of the three largest groups of Burmese Chinese
Malaysia| One of the largest groups of Malaysian Chinese
Indonesia| One of the largest groups of Chinese Indonesians
Vietnam| Second largest group of Hoa people ( 34% ~250,000 )
Laos| One of the largest groups of Laotian Chinese
Philippines| Minority population
United States| Minority population
Canada| Minority population
Australia| Minority population
New Zealand| Minority population
France| Most Chinese from France are of Teochew background
Taiwan| Full assimilation into Hoklo Taiwanese society
Languages
Teochew language (including Teochew and Swatow), Standard Chinese (lingua franca) & other languages of their countries of residence
Religion
Predominantly Chinese folk religions (including Taoism, Confucianism, ancestral worship and others), Protestant, Mahayana Buddhism, Islam.
Related ethnic groups
Hokkien people, Cantonese people, Hakka people, She people
Teochew people

Chinese| 潮州人
| Transcriptions

Standard Mandarin
Hanyu Pinyin| Cháozhōurén
Yue: Cantonese
Jyutping| ciu4 zau1 jan4
Southern Min
Hokkien POJ| Tiô-chiu-lâng
Teochew Peng'im| diê5 ziu1 nang5 / dio5 ziu1 nang5

The Teochew people or Chaoshanese, Teo-Swa people or Chaoshan people (rendered Têo-Swa in romanized Teoswa[clarification needed] and Cháoshàn in Modern Standard Mandarin also known as Teo-Swa in mainland China due to a change in place names[1]) is an ethnic group native to the historical Chaoshan region in south China[2] who speak the Teochew language. Today, most ethnic Teochew people live throughout Chaoshan and Hong Kong, and also outside China in Southeast Asia, including in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Cambodia, Vietnam, and the Philippines. The community can also be found in diasporas around the world, including the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and France.[3]

## Terms

[edit]

Teochew can be romanized in a variety of schemes, and are known in Mandarin as Cháoshan rén and in Cantonese as Chiushan yan. In referring to themselves as Sinitic people, Teochew people generally use Deung nang (Chinese: 唐人; pinyin: Tángrén; lit. 'Tang dynasty people'), as opposed to Hang Jin (simplified Chinese: 汉人; traditional Chinese: 漢人; pinyin: Hànrén; lit. 'Han dynasty people').

Teochew people of the diaspora would generally use ting nang (Chinese: 唐儂; pinyin: tangrén) to indicate Sinitic heritage in a cultural sense. Tingnang and tangren are broadly used by most of the southern Sinitic people living outside of China, referring to their maintaining a substantial cultural identity they consider to be Sinitic people. The identification of "tingnang" could perhaps be due to their early affiliation with the Tang dynasty.[4] The Teochew people are those who speak the Teochew language and identify with Teochew culture, cuisine, and customs. The Swatow people are those who speak the Swatow language and identify with Swatow culture, cuisine, and customs.

Kekyeo, Teochew, Swatow and Chaoshan people also commonly refer to each other as ga gi nang (Chinese: 家己儂; pinyin: Jiājǐrén; lit. 'our own people').[citation needed]

## History

[edit]

The ancestors of the Teochew people moved to present-day Chaoshan as refugees possibly from central China due to various reasons.[5] The Teochew were often called Fulao (Hoklo) because they came mostly passed through Fujian during migration, with some well-maintained language and customs from ancient China.[6] As was recorded in pedigrees and ancient inscriptions, one of the two groups of those who temporarily migrated to the capital city of Fujian later moved to parts of Chaoshan instead in batches during the Tang dynasty, genetically intermixing with the local people within Chaoshan there.[7]

The Teochew people are mistakenly known to the Cantonese as "Hoklo", literally meaning "men of Fujian", although the term "Teochew" was used in the Straits Settlements in the 19th century and early 20th century. "Teochew" is derived from Teochew prefecture (Chaozhou Fu) the departmental city where they originate.[8]

### Teochew immigration to Singapore

[edit]

Teochew Association in Muar, Johor, Malaysia.

From the 19th century, significant numbers of Teochew people left their homeland for Singapore and a new life.[9] Early Teochew settlers could trace their origins to eight counties/prefectures: Chao'an, Chenghai, Chaoyang, Jieyang, Raoping, Puning, Huilai and Nan'ao. In addition to these new immigrants from the port of Swatow (Shantou), Teochew immigrants from Siam and the Riau Islands also began settling in Singapore after 1819.[10]

Today, Teochew language is the second-most spoken Sinitic language in Singapore.[10] They are the second-largest race / Ethnic group in Singapore, comprising 21% of the sinitic population. As a result, they play a significant role in commerce and politics.

### Teochew in Taiwan

[edit]

See also: 潮州裔臺灣人 (on the Chinese Wikipedia)

Most of the Teochew descendants in Taiwan have already been "hokkienized" ("hoklonized"). They speak the Taiwanese Hokkien language instead of Teochew,[11] but some Teochew are still in Chaozhou township, in Pingtung County.[citation needed]

A 1926 Japanese census found that 134,800 people in Taiwan were of Teochew ancestry.[12][page needed]

## Diaspora

[edit]

Like the rest of the Chinese diaspora, the Teochew have been known for their ability to thrive in adverse settings and harsh conditions, and to tolerate very low margins in the initial phase of a business. While the Chinese diaspora as a whole is known for its relative success and economically dominant position in SE Asia - so that tycoons and successful businesspeople can be found from all dialect groups, the Teochew, in particular, have acquired a special reputation for their commercial acumen and derring-do, and often have the highest socioeconomic status amongst the Chinese diaspora, especially in Thailand.[13] Their role as rice merchants enabled them to later develop the capital needed to become the nations' bankers.[14]

## Culture

[edit]

Chaozhou opera

Throughout a history of over 1000 years, the region of Chaoshan, known in ancient times as Teochew Prefecture, has developed and cultivated a prestigious culture, which manifests its unique characteristics in language, opera, traditional dress, cuisine, tea practice, music, and embroidery.[citation needed]

The Teochew language (simplified Chinese: 潮州话; traditional Chinese: 潮州話; Teochew pronunciation: Diê5 ziu1 uê7) is a series of dialect varieties spoken across the geographical area which was formerly administered by Teochew Prefecture (or Chaozhou Fu, 潮州府) from the Hongwu period of the Ming dynasty (1369) to the end of the Qing dynasty. It is spoken by roughly 10 million people in Chaoshan and more than five million outside the Chinese mainland.[15]

Teochew Cuisine is known for its distinctive sauces, seafood dishes, and stews.[citation needed]

Teochew opera (Chinese: 潮劇) is a traditional art form, which has a history of more than 500 years and is now enjoyed by 20 million Teochew people in over 20 countries and regions.[citation needed] Based on local folk dances and ballads, Teochew opera has formed its own style under the influence of Nanxi Opera. Nanxi is one of the oldest Chinese operas and originated in the Song dynasty. The old form of choral accompaniment still preserves its distinctive features. Clowns and females are the most distinctive characters in Teochew opera, and fan play and acrobatic skills are prominent.[citation needed]

Teochew music (Chinese: 潮州音樂) is popular in Chaoshan's teahouse scene. The Teochew string instrument, gong, drum, and traditional Chinese flute are typically involved in ensembles. The current Chaozhou drum music is said to be similar to the Drum and Wind Music form of the Han and Tang dynasties.[16]

Teochew woodcarving (Chinese: 潮州木雕) is a form of Chinese woodcarving originating from Chaoshan. Teochew people used a great deal of Teochew wood carving in their buildings.[citation needed]

Yingge dance

Yingge dance (Chinese: 英歌) is a form of Chinese folk dance which started in the Qing dynasty. With a history of more than 300 years, it is regarded as one of the most representative forms folk arts in Teochew culture.[17]

Although few movies or television dramas have been made about the Teochew people, one such notable drama is the Singaporean 1995 drama series The Teochew Family.[18] In 2019, Netflix released the documentary series Flavorful Origins, which focused on Teochew cuisine.

## Notable Teochew people

[edit]

For a more comprehensive list, see List of Teochew people.

### Politicians

[edit]

#### Leaders

[edit]

* Chatichai Choonhavan, Prime Minister of Thailand; 1988–1991.[19]
* Banharn Silpa-archa, Prime Minister of Thailand; 1995–1996

#### Cabinet ministry

[edit]

* Bhichai Rattakul, President of the National Assembly, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand.
* Chumpol Silpa-archa, Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand, Minister of Tourism and Sports, Minister of Education.
* Kalaya Sophonpanich, Minister of Science and Technology of Thailand.[20]
* Korn Dabbaransi, Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand, Minister of Office of the Prime Minister, Minister of Science and Technology, Minister of Public Health, Minister of Industry.
* Bhichit Rattakul, Governor of Bangkok.
* Alice Wong, Minister of Business, Minister of Seniors of Canada.
* Lim Boon Heng, Minister in the Prime Minister's Office, Minister without portfolio.
* Lim Swee Say, Minister in the Prime Minister's Office, Minister for Manpower, Minister for the Environment of Singapore.
* Teo Chee Hean, Senior Minister of Singapore, Coordinating Minister for National Security, Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore, Minister for Education, Minister for Defence.
* Tan Soo Khoon, Speaker of the Parliament of Singapore.
* Varawut Silpa-archa, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment of Thailand.
* Koh Poh Koon, Senior Minister for Environment, Manpower, Trade and Industry of Singapore.

#### Others

[edit]

* Kraisak Choonhavan, member of Thailand parliament.
* Gladys Liu, Member of Parliament for Chisholm, Australia.

### Businesspeople and entrepreneurs

[edit]

* Li Ka-shing, founder of Cheung Kong Holdings.
* Chau Chak-Wing, founder of Kingold Group.
* Chin Sophonpanich, founded Bangkok Bank and Bangkok Insurance.[21]
* Vincent Lo, founder and chairman of Shui On Group.
* Lim Por-yen, founded the Lai Sun Group.
* Goh Cheng Liang, billionaire businessman, founded Wuthelam Holdings, which manufactures paint and coatings.[22]
* Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi, billionaire, founder of Thai Beverage, and the chairman of conglomerates TCC Group and Fraser and Neave.
* Krit Ratanarak, chairman of Bangkok Broadcasting & Television Company.
* Joseph Lau, founder, chairman, and CEO of Chinese Estates Group.
* Thomas Lau, CEO of Lifestyle International Holdings which operates Hong Kong's largest department, Sogo Hong Kong.
* Trương Mỹ Lan, billionaire businesswoman and real estate developer in Vietnam, convicted for corruption in 2024.
* Peter Lam, billionaire and chairman of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council.
* Chartsiri Sophonpanich, president of Bangkok Bank.
* Ma Huateng, one of the top ten richest men in the world, with an estimated net worth of US$55.3 billion. He is the founder, chairman, and CEO of Tencent.
* Thapana Sirivadhanabhakdi, CEO and president of ThaiBev.

### Actors and singers

[edit]

* Chen Shucheng, actor and host.[23]
* Tan Kheng Hua, actress[24]
* Canti Lau, actor and singer.
* Zoe Tay, actress and former model.
* Chen Hanwei, actor.
* Joe Ma, actor.
* Ada Choi, actress.
* James Ma, actor and model from Thailand.
* Lucas Wong, rapper, singer, and model.
* Jessica Henwick, actress, director and writer.
* Ellen Wong, actress.

## See also

[edit]

* Poh Teck Tung Foundation: Teochew religious charitable group in Thailand
* Ngee Ann Kongsi: Teochew charitable group in Singapore
* Thai Chinese
* Taishanese people
* Lingnan culture
* Lingnan

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ a b 10 Things You Must Know As A Teochew. The Teochew Store.
2. ^ "Map of China showing location of Chaoshan region" - via ResearchGate.
3. ^ N Ng (2021), Engaging with a Genre in Decline: Teochew Opera in Western Sydney, vol. 22(2–3), The Asia Pacific Journal of Anthropology, pp. 162–183
4. ^ GL Tan (2018), An Introduction to the Culture and History of the Teochews in Singapore, World Scientific
5. ^ Li, Xiao-Yun; Su, Min; Huang, Hai-Hua; Li, Hui; Tian, Dong-Ping; Gao, Yu-Xia (2007). "mtDNA evidence: Genetic background associated with related populations at high risk for esophageal cancer between Chaoshan and Taihang Mountain areas in China". Genomics. 90 (4): 474–481. doi:10.1016/j.ygeno.2007.06.006.
6. ^ 蔡, 金河 (2007), "由民俗活动看潮汕文化对中华传统文化的传承", 广东史志·视窗年 第6期 (6): 71–73.
7. ^ 广东潮州人的祖先来自福建？ [dead link]
8. ^ Kingsley Bolton, Christopher Hutton, Triad societies: western accounts of the history, sociology and linguistics of Chinese secret societies, p. 93.
9. ^ Teochew Poit Ip Huay Kuan (2010). 潮州八邑会馆与義安公司的历史渊源. Archived 12 May 2010 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 18 January 2010
10. ^ a b Conceicao, Jeanne, Teochew Community, Singapore Government
11. ^ "「消失」的族群？南臺灣屏東地區廣東福佬人的身分與認同". 中央研究院臺灣史研究所臺灣史研究集刊 (in Chinese). 20 (1). 2013. [dead link]
12. ^ Taiwan Sotoku Kanbo Chosaka (1928). 台灣在籍漢民族鄉貫別調查 [Investigation of the regions of origin of Han people in Taiwan]. Taihoku-shi (Taipei): Taiwan Sotoku Kanbo Chosaka.
13. ^ Alternate Identities: The Chinese of Contemporary Thailand. 2001. pp. 170, 176.
14. ^ Chinese Business Interests in SE Asia: contesting cultural explanations, researching entrepreneurship. 2001. p. 8.
15. ^ Huang, Yating; Fang, Fan (2021). "'I feel a sense of solidarity when speaking Teochew': unpacking family language planning and sustainable development of Teochew from a multilingual perspective". Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development. 42: 1–17. doi:10.1080/01434632.2021.1974460.
16. ^ Lau, Frederick (1998). "Chinese Music in the Diaspora: The Case of Teochew Music in Thailand" (PDF). 20. 동양음악: 109–125. `{{cite journal}}`: Cite journal requires `|journal=` (help)
17. ^ "英歌舞源自潮汕地區，是一種有三百多年歷史的民族舞蹈". Retrieved 22 October 2023.
18. ^ "Hakka vs Teochew". The New Paper. 31 December 1996. p. 25. Retrieved 31 October 2023 - via NewspaperSG.
19. ^ Wen, Zongduo (n.d.). "Close bond with China inherited from ancestors". Chinadaily.com.cn.
20. ^ Mi, Tingting (米婷婷) (9 October 2015). 泰国民主党副党首龙宛虹来溆寻根. 溆浦党建 (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 1 February 2022. Retrieved 13 June 2022.
21. ^ Chew, Melanie (1996). Leaders of Singapore. Singapore: Resource Press. ISBN 9789814719445.
22. ^ "Singapore's newest billionaire made his wealth from nothing". AsiaOne. 23 September 2013.
23. ^ Yip, Jieying (1 June 2018). "Actor Chen Shucheng Opens Teochew Restaurant Serving "Hard-To-Find Traditional Dishes"". 8days.sg.
24. ^ Bui, Natalie (21 September 2018). "Tan Kheng Hua talks parenting and being parented in Singapore". medium.com.

## References and further reading

[edit]

* Gia Lim Tan, "Origins," An Introduction to the Culture and History of the Teochews in Singapore," ISBN 9813239352 World Scientific, 2018. doi:10.1142/10967

## External links

[edit]

* Gaginang, a teochew nonprofit organization
* Singapore Teochew Federation for Businesses & Associations

* v
* t
* e

Han Chinese subgroups

* Cantonese
* Taishanese
* Hongkongers
* Macau people
* Gan
* Hakka
* Ngái people
* Hunanese
* Mandarin
* Hui
* Dungan
* Panthays
* Jianghuai
* Subei people
* Shandong
* Sichuanese
* Min
* Fuzhounese
* Hainanese
* Hoklo
* Hoklo Taiwanese
* Hui'an maidens
* Putianese
* Teochew
* Teochew Taiwanese [zh]
* Wu
* Shanghainese
* Wenzhou
* Chuanqing
* Gaoshan Han
* Hoa
* Minh Hương
* Nùng
* Peranakan
* Benteng
* Sangley
* Taiwanese
* Hakka Taiwanese [zh]
* Hoklo
* Hoklokeh [zh]
* Teochew Taiwanese [zh]
* Waishengren
* Tanka
* Fuzhou Tanka
* Taz
* Tunbao
* Waxiang
* Yunnanese
* Chin Haw
* Kokang

* v
* t
* e

Guangdong topics

Guangzhou (capital)

General|

* History
* Politics
* Economy

Geography|

* Cities
* Metropolitan areas
* Chaoshan
* Pearl River Delta
* Sanyi (Sam Yup)
* Sze Yup (Siyi)
* Leizhou Peninsula
* Regions
* Pearl River Delta
* Yuexi
* Yuebei
* Yuedong
* Pearl River
* East River
* West River
* Nanling Mountains
* Pratas Island and the Vereker Banks (claimed)
* Shamian Island

Education|

* Guangzhou Education
* Shenzhen Education

Culture|

* Lingnan culture
* Cantonese people
* Varieties of Chinese
* Yue Chinese
* Hailufeng
* Teochew
* Hakka
* Lingnan architecture
* Tong lau
* Lingnan garden
* Cantonese embroidery
* Teochew woodcarving
* Lingnan penjing
* Canton porcelain
* Lingnan School
* Music
* Cantonese opera
* Naamyam
* Guangdong music
* Gou Wu
* Cantonese poetry
* Cantonese nationalism
* Hung Ga
* Wing Chun
* Lingnan Confucianism
* Flowermarket
* Cantonese lion dance
* Wong Tai Sin
* Hung Shing
* Cantonese merchants
* Red cotton flower
* Cantonese folktales
* The Legend of Five Goats
* Villain hitting
* Hakka people
* Teochew people
* Zhuang people
* Chu Hua Yuan

Cuisine|

* Cantonese cuisine
* Beef chow fun
* Chow mein
* Char siu
* Roasted suckling pig
* Bird's nest soup
* Seafood birdsnest
* Shumai
* Cantonese fried rice
* Dim sum
* Yum cha
* Leung cha
* Tong sui
* Hakka cuisine
* Teochew cuisine

* Category
* Commons

* v
* t
* e

Hongkongers

By migration history|

* Indigenous inhabitants
* New immigrants
* Returnees
* Refugees and asylum seekers

By Chinese dialect group|

* Yue people (Ethnic Cantonese and Sze Yap/Taishanese (list))
* Puntis (Aboriginal)
* Hakka
* Fujianese/Hoklo/Hokkien
* Hoklo
* Shanghainese (and Ningbo) (list)
* Tanka
* Teochew

By nationality or ethnicity|

| From Asia|

* East Asians
* Japanese
* Koreans
* South Asians
* Indians
* Nepalis
* Pakistanis
* Southeast Asians
* Filipinos
* Indonesians
* Thais
* Vietnamese

|

Others|

* Africans
* Americans
* Australians
* Britons
* Canadians
* French
* Jews
* Russians
* Ukrainians

Authority control databases

International|

* FAST

National|

* Israel
* United States

*[lit.]: Literal translation
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template