Hakka Culture - Prominent Hakka

Prominent Hakka

The Hakka pronunciation of each name listed below is included unless the vernacular name is itself based on Hakka pronunciation. Take note, however, that this is a work in progress; some vernacular names are still without their Hakka pronunciations. This will be rectified as soon as possible.

The Hakka have had a significant influence, disproportionate to their smaller total numbers, on the course of Chinese and overseas Chinese history, particularly as a source of revolutionary, political and military leaders.

Hakka were active during the Taiping Rebellion, the largest uprising in the modern history of China. The uprising, also known as Jintian Uprising, originated at the Hakka village of Jintian in Guiping, Guangxi. It was led by the failed Qing scholar, Hong Xiuquan, who was influenced by Protestant missionaries. Hong's charisma tapped into a consciousness of national dissent which identified with his personal interpretations of the Christian message. His following, who were initially Hakka peasants from Guangxi, grew across the southern provinces. The hugely disciplined Taiping army, which included women in their ranks, captured stoutly defended towns and cities from the Qing defenders. In 1851, less than a year after the uprising, the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom (太平天囯) was established. It had, at one stage, occupied one-third of China, and almost toppled the Qing Dynasty. The kingdom lasted for eleven years.

Hakka continued to play prominent roles during the revolutionary and republican years of the Kuomintang, as well as during the Chinese Civil War between the Kuomintang and the Communist Party of China, in which many of the leaders on both sides were Hakka.

Lee Kuan Yew, Sun Yat Sen, and Deng Xiaoping were among four Hakka Chinese named as "the 20th Century's 20 Most Influential Asians" by Time magazine.

Hakka influence is also evident in Guangdong, China, where the "Hakka Gang" "客家帮" has consistently dominated the provincial government. Presently, the governor, Huang Huahua, and four deputy governors are Hakka.