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沙頭角慶春約［鄉郊保育文化之旅］

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沙頭角慶春約［鄉郊保育文化之旅］

It is an online booklet to tell you the stories of 7 villages in Sha Tau Kok

28/11/2019

【沙頭角慶春約──鄉郊保育文化之旅】
“Hing Chun Yeuk” in Sha Tau Kok ── A journey of cultural conservation

●背景●
環保署轄下的鄉郊保育辦公室去年成立，荔枝窩鄉郊復育工作是優先推動的項目之一，適逢此地十年一度太平清醮，該辦公室遂協調各持份者，策劃一系列紀錄、展覧、導賞及工作坊體驗等活動；硏究及製作機構思網絡獲委聘承辦。

●Background●
The Countryside Conservation Office of the Environmental Protection Department was set up last year. The rural conservation work in Lai Chi Wo is one of the priority projects. Coinciding with the once in a decade "Da Chui Festival", the office took the opportunity to coordinate various stakeholders, planning a series of activities such as documentary, exhibition, guided tours, and workshops. SEE Network was commissioned for the research, planning and production of the events.

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●策展者言●
香港750多萬人口絕中大部分居住在24%的已建設區，過著典型城市人生活，鄉郊可能多被理解為假日消閒好去處。香港政府於1970年代中，制定了《郊野公園條例》及《城市規劃條例》，指導了往後保護戶外康樂用地、郊野及較高生態價值地區的政策發展。

「鄉郊保育」，是在鄉郊推行保護自然生態，活化其村落建築環境，以及保育人文資源的工作，可說是摸著石頭過河的新課題。

位於沙頭角半島的慶春約村落，包括了荔枝窩、梅子林、蛤塘、牛屎湖、三椏、鎖羅盆，及小灘，有近400年歷史，甚至更早已有另一族群在此居住；但香港百多年來城市發展的重心在港島及九龍，北區就變成遠離市區。1960年代，經濟環境變遷，傳統耕種難以謀生，慶春約村落居民因而大舉往外發展，村人口縮減，各建設日漸疏於打理，甚至一度荒廢。

保育，是透過不同方法讓一個地方的天然及人文資源得以永續發展，過程應讓更多人參與，從中領會這地方的文化價值。然而這方向沒有放諸四海而皆準的方法，正是「道可道，非常道」的狀態，因而更需考量各獨有情況而因地制宜，又是「常無，欲以觀其妙；常有，欲以觀其徼」，簡言之：觀察入微，方能切中事理。道家思想，與西方近代保育觀念，有相似之處，也始於「認識」。

人類學提出的「田野考察」同是追求觀察入微的硏究方法，即走進有關地方和社群，以更接近他們的角度去理解生活。是次田野考察的紀錄，集結成「鄉郊保育文化之旅」，當中包括：裝置展覽、網上伸延資料說明，及打醮相關紀錄，期望有助外界前來經驗和認識這裏。

●Curatorial Statement●
Among the 7.5 million inhabitants in Hong Kong, most of them are living in the built-up areas (24% of the area of Hong Kong), leading a typical urban life. Countryside is considered a good place for leisure time. In the mid-70s, the Hong Kong Government enacted the "Country Parks Ordinance" and the "Town Planning Ordinance" to guide future policy formulation regarding outdoor recreational areas, countryside and areas of higher ecological value.

"Countryside conservation" is a new task to promote the protection of natural ecology, restoration of architectures in village areas, and the preservation of cultural heritage. It takes time and experiences to learn and improve.

Hing Chun Yeuk is located in Sha Tau Kok peninsula, which includes villages in Lai Chi Wo, Mui Tsz Lam, Kap Tong, Ngau Shi Wu, Sam A, So Lo Pun and Siu Tan. It has a history of nearly 400 years. It is believed another ethnic group has lived there even earlier. However, the focus of urban development in Hong Kong in the past century has been on Hong Kong Island and Kowloon, the North District remained far away from town centres. In the 1960s, the economic environment changed, traditional farming became difficult to earn a living. Villagers moved out of Hing Chun Yeuk then, villages were gradually abandoned while population shrank.

Conservation is the sustainable development of natural and human resources in a place through different methods. The process should involve more and more people to appreciate the cultural value of the place. However, there is no one-size-fits-all approaches to serve this aim. When no words can tell a definite way, we must consider the unique circumstances and adapt to specific conditions. As the old saying goes, "observe meticulously with inaction, appreciate the order of things when you act", Taoist thoughts coincide with modern conservation concepts, that they both begin with "understanding".

"Fieldwork" is an inquisitive research method in anthropology that enables meticulous observations. It purposes going into the communities and relevant places to understand the way of life and environments from a closer perspective. The records of this fieldwork research were collected and to be shown in "A journey of Cultural Conservation". It includes exhibitions, detailed online illustrations, and records of Ta Chiu Festival. It is hoped that it helps to invite people to come, experience and understand this place.

11/11/2019

CP01：金玉滿亭（展品）
🌿Welcome & Be Blessed
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同心亭，是村裡村外人乘船進出荔枝窩臨岸必經、有瓦遮頭可供人短暫停留的地標。多少艷陽天、風雨中，造就人們咫尺相遇、片刻散聚。

2019，沙頭角慶春約太平清醮，村裡村外人或許也有著迎難而上的心情，我們承此建醮傳統對「祈福禳災」的期盼，進而引用中國古往今來的吉祥圖案──金魚（與「金玉」音近而成為象徵），讓你路過亭下刹那可以帶走祝福的影象。

金魚，原產自中國，有逾千年的文獻記載，它是從野生鯽魚馴化和選育而變異出來；歷代不少帝王達官，甚至民間也有飼養。清朝留下的畫作《太平春市圖》，可看到農村熱鬧市集出現售賣金魚的攤檔。

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Tung Sam Pavilion is an access point near Lai Chi Wo pier. Villagers always stop by to enjoy a moment of gathering time and shelter. It witnesses how people meet, how people go, come rain or come shine.

Sha Tau Kok Da Chiu, 2019. In times of adversity, people hope the blessings of the traditional festival will bring strength and luck, no matter you are a villager or not. A traditional Chinese symbol of luck, goldfish (for it's pronunciation is very close to that of “gold” and “jade”), is adopted in the design of the pavilion, so to impress you with the deepest blessing, even in a blink of time.

Carassius auratus (goldfish) is originated from China. It has been documented for more than a thousand years. It is a mutated spices from the domestication and breeding of wild sturgeons; many emperors, officials and even folks loved to keep it. From the painting "Taiping Spring Market" (Qing Dynasty), you can see the selling of goldfish in the lively rural markets.

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*製作單位 Design & Production: Vincent AY

11/11/2019

CP02：關於慶春約七村（展品）
🌿About the 7 Hing-Chun-Yeuk Villages
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慶春約，是沙頭角十鄉約之一，是由區內其中七條村落組成的聯盟組織。鄉「約」組織，有共同防衛、經濟活動（墟市），以及祭祀等功能。慶春約七村，位於沙頭角半島，面迎印洲塘海岸，包括荔枝窩、梅子林、蛤塘、牛屎湖、三椏村、鎖羅盆及小灘。十約的成員各鄉，在清道光十年（1830年）於今天的中英街附近，共同建立了「東和墟」，一個約有72家商店的小商市，相當熱鬧。

自1898年英國租借新界，以深圳河為界，沙頭角從此一分為二，而十約中有兩約的村落，沙漁涌及鹽田各村則位於深圳。1951年，香港政府為防偷渡及走私，將沙頭角列作禁區，兩地居民有出入限制，影響了地區往後發展，促使村民多遠赴英國及歐洲其他地方謀生。因緣際會，區內村落至今凝住了它們昔日的黃金時代，埋藏了豐富的傳統文化資源、人與自然共生的生活智慧，有待我們今天重新發現。

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Hing Chun Yeuk is one of the ten district alliances in Sha Tau Kok.
It consists of seven villages in the district. It serves an aim in common defense, economic activities (markets), and ceremonies. The seven villages located in Sha Tau Kok peninsula (facing the coast of Double Haven) are Lai Chi Wo, Mui Tze Lam, Kop Tong, Ngau Shi Wu, Sam A, So Lo Pun and Siu Tan. The ten district alliances in Sha Tau Kok jointly established "Tung Wo Market" near today's Chung Ying Street in 1830 (daoguang 10 year, Qing dynasty). It was a small business area with about 72 shops, quite a lively scene at that time.

Since the New Territories was leased to the United Kingdom in 1898, with Shenzhen River as a borderline, Sha Tau Kok was divided into two parts. Two villages of the ten alliances, Sha Yu Chung and Yantian, are located in Shenzhen. In 1951, the Hong Kong government made Sha Tau Kok a restricted area to prevent smuggling and illegal immigration. Restrictions on entry and exit of residents in the two places affected the future development of the region and prompted villagers to go to Britain and other parts of Europe to make a living. By chance or by luck, time froze at the golden age of the villages when a lot of the heritage about the way of life and cultural resources are still well preserved. The wisdom of how to live in harmony with nature is yet to be discovered today.

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【各村介紹請看以下各相片】
introductions of the 7 villages can be found in the following pictures

11/11/2019

CP03：協天宮及小瀛學校
🌿About Hip Tin Kung & Siu Ying School
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詳見下圖內文
Please click and see the photo captions below.

11/11/2019

CP04：關於太平清醮
🌿 About Da Chiu
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沙頭角十約中，慶春約是少數仍然保留太平清醮的地方。所謂太平清醮，是一種保平安的「祈安醮」，讓村民酬謝神恩，並祈求來年風調雨順、國泰民安。如今慶春約不少村民移居海外，太平清醮亦成為村民聚首一堂的難得機會。

正所謂各處鄉村各處例，打醮的周期亦各有不同，短則一年，如著名的長洲太平清醮，最長則60年一次，如上水鄉、大網仔等。至於慶春約的太平清醮，則為十年一次。醮事的舉行，是村民報答神祇在一個周期內賜予的恩典，並祈求與神祇再次訂立契約關係，庇佑村民。打醮由籌備至完成，往往需時一年，並擇取吉日完成一系列的儀式程序。

慶春約的太平清醮主要在荔枝窩東門前的慶春約廣場進行，醮事期間，廣場會搭建大型戲棚公演「神功戲」，一般是上演粵劇，且備有齋菜供村民享用，日間亦有法事進行。

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Among the ten regional alliances in Sha Tau Kok, Hing Chung Yeuk is one that preserves the tradition of Da Chiu. Da Chiu is a parade to pray for peace, to thank gods for blessing, good weather, and social wellness. For Many villagers are now living overseas, Da Chiu has also become a precious reunion opportunity.

The duration of Da Chiu differs from village to village. For example, Cheung Chau practises Da Chiu once a year, while places like Sheung Shui and Tai Mong Tsai practise Da Chiu in every sixty years. Hing Chun Yeuk Da Chiu is held in every ten years. The ceremony is a time for villagers to repay the grace of the gods in a cycle, and to reinforce the good for the time to come. It usually takes a year to prepare for the ceremony, then a luck day will be chosen for the rituals.

Hing Chung Yeuk Da Chiu festivals are mainly performed at the plaza, during that time, a bamboo theater will be built to perform mostly Cantonese opera. Vegetarian food will be served. Religious rituals will be performed during day-time.

11/11/2019

CP05：客家圍村
🌿 About Hakka Walled Village
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客家人有經歷多番遷徙的往蹟，擁有農業的傳統文明技術，能夠和應自然環境而創造建設，從荔枝窩的佈局及細節可見一斑。荔枝窩村，依山而建，要開山闢地，村落坐西向東，面向海灣，北面背靠風水林，是天然的屏障，東西兩面有溪流，地形山勢上已成基本防賊防獸的保護格局，東面村前則加建單邊圍牆加護。單邊，就有別於新界其他四邊牆的村。屋地外圍開闢有農地，是村民主要的生計來源，荔枝、梅子、金桔、青竹及番薯，都是他們曾經大量種植的農產品。

荔枝窩客家圍村，有村屋九橫排，其中開設三直巷為通道；村屋總數超過200間，面積不一，較早於前清時代修建的房屋面積較小，呈一組並列的排屋型態，鄰舍關係緊密。西面六巷有稍後，即於清末民初時建成的房屋，面積較大，呈獨立居宅型態。建材方面，部分屋於正面會採用較優質美觀的青磚，其他牆壁則可能使用土磚，一些當地可自己製造的材料。

村屋內的間格，廚房灶頭設於一進門的前方，臥室則在較內部的位置。由於圍村內居住的村民，過去都多是直系兄弟的後代，大家都是親屬，所謂室外室內的生活空間，分野不算明顯，與高樓大廈住宅單樓所講求的私隱觀念，相去甚遠。村圍牆內空間就已是個大家庭，村屋門前的空地是幾家人共用的地方，有時可以開枱一同食飯，有時亦會拿家務在門前空間做，例如家家門前都塊石可以磨利刀。

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The Hakka have a long history of migrations. They also preserve traditional skills in agriculture; one that goes well with the natural environment. This can be seen from the layout and design of Lai Chi Wo village. Lai Chi Wo Village is built according to the contour of the hills as a result of cutting up trees and opening up new land. It faces the bay at the eastern side, with the feng shui woods in the north, which makes a natural barrier. There are streams running on the eastern and western sides, basically protecting the villages from wild animals and thefts. There is also a strengthened wall on the east as another security measure. This is a unique feature as compared to the four-sided walls in other villages in the New Territories. Farmlands were opened at the outskirt of the housing area, which supported the villagers' livelihood. They used to grow lychees, plums, tangerines , green bamboo and sweet potatoes in large quantities.

There are nine rows of houses in Lai Chi Wo walled village, with three straight passages in between. The total number of houses exceeds 200, which different sizes. Those built in early Qing Dynasty period were smaller, and were closely packed, creating close neighborhood. In the western side you will find six rows of houses built in between the late Qing Dynasty period and early years of the Republic of China. They are separate houses in a bigger size. In terms of building materials, some houses used high-quality and beautiful blue bricks on the front. Other walls were built with earthen bricks, something they were able to make locally.

Inside the village house, the kitchen stove is located in front of the entrance door, and the bedroom is more in the inner position. Because the villagers were mostly relatives of descendants of the immediate brothers, the line between private and public areas was blurred, which is very different from the concept of privacy of modern residential buildings. Inside the village wall is already a big family. The open space in front of the village house often shared by several families. They can set table there and have meals together. Housework can be done there too. There is a whetstone in front of each house where villagers sharpen their knives.

11/11/2019

CP06：榕樹下事事如意
🎄 Make a Wish under the Tree
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荔枝窩村前有土地神明伯公坐陣，後有如美髯公的大榕樹，路人經過每每讚歎老樹如此茂盛風華；只是更驚歎的，是它原來才得卅餘載的樹齡。翻看六十年代的舊照片，可見當年相同位置的榕樹上一代，有伯公可作見證。直至八十年代，該處興建公共洗手間，如今眼前的榕樹那時才重新長成，其超速發展，氣根蔓延，生命力確是非凡旺盛。

人們總愛在榕樹下乘涼遮蔭，策展團隊就特別在此帶來中國傳統吉祥圖案柿子作裝飾，以象徵「事事如意」，（其讀音如「事」，形則像彎彎滿滿的「如意」），為村裡和村外人送上祝福。

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There is the site for the local guardian goddess at the entrance of Lai Chi Wo village, where you will find a big, lush banyan tree with admirable beauty. It looks like a well-grown old tree but it is not more than forty years old. Looking through the old photographs of the 1960s, we can see the older generations of the banyan tree in the same location. Those days were witnessed by the goddess of local guardian. In the 1980s, a public toilet was built there, then the new banyan tree in front of it started to grown. Its rapid growth, wild spread of air roots, and its vitality are truly extraordinary.

People always love to enjoy shade and wind under the banyan tree. Our curatorial team used persimmon-patterned decoration to symbolize "every wish comes true" (It pronounces like "things" in Cantonese, and takes the shape as the lucky symbol for "wishes materialized"), hoping to send our blessings to villagers and visitors.

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*製作單位 Design & Production: Vincent AY

11/11/2019

CP07：荔枝窩村東門
🌿 East Gate of Lai Chi Wo Village
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荔枝窩圍村，坐西向東；正門為「東門」，乃村民平常主要進出，及訪客來賓所用之門。居於村中，每早旭日從面前升，時間在頭上過，日子隨光影流動，正是日出而作，日入而息。門上的對聯：「東來紫氣、西接祥光」，及匾額：「紫氣東來」，正是坐向自然之景。

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The main gate of Lai Chi Wo "walled" village faces east, which is the main entrance for villagers and visitors. For the villagers, a day starts by the welcoming sunlight from the front, then a day's work flows with the changing light and shadow. The couplet on the door is "energy of luck comes from the east, beams of peace come from the west" and the plaque reads "lucky energy from the east". They are a praise to the geographic location.

11/11/2019

CP08：荔枝窩文化館
🍂 Lai Chi Wo Cultural Hub
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文化館是「永續荔枝窩」計劃的見證，他們透過農地復耕、社區活化、文化重塑、鄉郊教育和生物多樣性及水文研究等一系列活動，以活化荔枝窩傳統客家農村。他們復耕至今六年，農產品包括有機水稻、洛神花、冬瓜、黃薑等，是不少行山客的最佳手信，不久將來更有本地種植的咖啡豆。

此外，復修荔枝窩村建築群乃2015年開展的先導項目，由當地民、大學內的專家、具有傳統建築知識的工人及義工，運用傳統的建屋技術，就地取才以當地的沙泥、禾稈和蠔殼等，參照村中原來的建屋方法進行復修，如今成為「荔枝窩文化館」，用作社區活動、聚會和培訓用途。文化館內放有的展品包括岩石標本、耕種工具等，有助大家了解當地的歷史與生態。

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The "cultural hub" has recorded the achievement of the Sustainable Lai Chi Wo Program. Through a series of activities such as farmland restoration, community revitalization, cultural remodeling, rural education, and biodiversity and hydrological research, the program revitalized the traditional Hakka village of Lai Chi Wo. After six years of resumed cultivation. Agricultural products including organic rice, roselle, winter melon, turmeric and probably coffee beans in the near future, are becoming popular souvenirs among hikers.

The restoration of architecture in Lai Chi Wo village in 2015 was a pioneering project. Buildings were restored by the combined efforts of experts of universities, local residents, workers with traditional building knowledge and volunteers. The used sand, mud, stalks and oyster shells collected around the region, to restore buildings in the village according to traditional building methods.

Lai Chi Wo Cultural Hub is now opened for community activities, gatherings and training. The exhibits in the hub include rock specimens and farming tools, which help a lot for the understanding of local history and ecology.

11/11/2019

CP09：荔枝窩村西門
☘️ West Gate of Lai Chi Wo Village
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村有正門，亦有側門。其坐向西南，是為「西門」，此乃連接村外的農田，以及通往其他村落路徑的進出口；同時，它亦是女孩嫁來此村的入門，和故人離村入土的出門。門上的對聯：「門迎紫氣、戶納千祥」，及匾額：「西接祥光」，與東門呼應。

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There is a main gate and a side gate in the village. The latter faces north-west. People called it the West Gate. It is the way to the farmland and the path to other villages. At the same time, it is also the entrance for girls to marry into the village, and for the deceased to leave the village. The couplet on the door reads "The door welcomes luck energy, the houses embrace peace". On the plaque it is written "Receiving beams of peace from the west". They echo the couplet and plaque of the East Gate.

11/11/2019

CP10：風水林
🌳 Fung Shui Woods
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風水林是構成客家村非常重要的元素，它是圍村的大靠山，冬天有助抵擋北來的季候風，夏天可以調節微氣候；同時亦發揮儲水疏水的水利功能，為山下村前的梯田保留水源，也能減低山泥傾瀉風險，村民因而世代視之為保祐村落生生不息的命脈，恪守傳統，要好好保護，就算昔日還是燒柴生火，村民都要到遠離風水林範圍才能斬柴和放牧。

話雖如此，風水林內除了一些特別老齡的大樹外，其實亦有不少他們生活日常會使用到的植物，例如用於包茶粿的「山大岩（或銀）葉」、驅蚊蟲的花草等，村民認為某些植物需要適量使用才會生長更得好，不是單一的保護。

香港上世紀經歷日軍佔領的日子，當時基於軍事考慮，軍隊所到之處會將樹木砍笩或破壞。據村中當年見過日軍入村的長輩所述，日軍曾砍下風水林中五指樟樹的其中一指，但發現村中的「伯公」土地神祉，可能有感與他們家鄉信仰有相近之處，一念之下就未有繼續破壞，從此亦讓這處風水林成為香港保留至今歷史最悠久、規模最大的風水林。當中最矚目的幾棵巨木，還包括空心的秋楓、榕樹等，也有較罕見的青藤公、金葉樹。

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"Fung shui woods" is a very important element of Hakka Village. It forms a large backing for the walled villages, which helps to resist the monsoon wind from the north in winter and can moderate the weather in summer. Besides, it plays a role in water management, for it retains water for the terrace farms and reduces the risk of landslides. Villagers therefore regard it as the lifeblood that keeps the village alive. They keep the tradition and protect the fung shui woods. Even in the old days villagers had to go far from the fung shui woods for firewood collection and grazing.

Nevertheless, apart from the some particularly old trees, there are plenty of useful plants in fung shui woods, such as heritiera littoralis (for the wrapping of the Hakka cake) and insects repelling plants. Villagers think some plants need to be used in proper amount to grow better, instead of mere protection.

During Japanese occupation, trees were cut down or woods were destroyed by the Japanese army. According to the village elders who witnessed the Japanese army entering the village, the Japanese army once cut off one of the five-finger camphor trees in the fung shui woods, but found that the guardian goddess site was similar to that of their hometown, then they stopped cutting the trees. The fung shui woods has since become the oldest and largest fung shui woods in Hong Kong. There are a few big, old trees in the woods, including a hollow autumn maple tree, a few banyan trees, as well as some rare ivy trees and golden leaf trees.

11/11/2019

CP11：小灘觀景台觀印洲塘海岸公園
🗞 About Yan Chau Tong Marine Park
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位於小灘的荔枝窩觀景台，前方可見九蘆頭，右面是涌灣咀，兩者劃一直線，就是印洲塘海岸公園的其中一個主要海灣。

成立於1996年7月5日的印洲塘海岸公園，是本港四個海岸公園之一。此海岸公園由兩個海灣組成，亦即現在眼前所見的荔枝窩海域，另一海灣則為三椏村對出海域，以西流江、往灣洲的石岩頭、老沙田與蕩排頭為界。

印洲塘以平靜的海面著名，由於它位處新界東北大鵬灣內的一個內港，被往灣洲、吉澳、娥媚洲船灣郊野公園圍繞，故此即使颱風來襲，亦少有大風浪，屬天然的避風塘，故此印洲塘的英文名為Double Haven，意即「雙重避風塘」。大概是這個原因，殖民地時代皇室成員訪港，其遊艇都停泊於印洲塘。

至於中文名字，則是因為海岸裏有一外形宛如印台的小島，稱為印洲而得名。圍繞着這裏，還有怪石嶙峋的「印塘六寶」，包括黃幌山的羅傘、白沙頭咀的筆、筆架州的筆架、印州的玉璽、石排的墨硯，還有如鏡的海面作為畫紙。

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Lai Chi Wo viewing deck is located in Siu Tan, from where you can see Kau Lo Tau in front, Chung Wan Tsui on the right. The two are in a straight line, which is one of the major bays in Yan Tong Chau Marine Park.

Established on July 5, 1996, Yan Tong Chau Marine Park is one of the four marine parks in Hong Kong. This marine park is composed of two bays, one is the Lai Chi Wo bay before you, another one is the bay outside of Sam A village, which extends from Sai Lau Kong, Shek Ngam Tau, Lo Sha Tin to Tong Pai Tau.

Yan Chau Tong is famous for its calm sea surface. Because it is located in an inner port of Dapeng Bay, surrounded by northeast New Territories, it is surrounded by Double Island, Crooked Island and the Plover Cove Country Park in Crescent Island, the water is rather calm even when typhoon come. It's English name is Double Haven, which means "double shelter". Probably because of this,. Probably because of this, when a yacht of the British royal came to visit Hong Kong, it anchored in Yan Chau Tong.

As for the Chinese name, it is named because there is an island along the coast that looks like a stamp pad. Around the place, there are the "Six Treasures of Yan Tong", there are the "Six Treasures (stationary items) of Yan Tong" of strange stone ridges, including the "umbrella" of Wong Fong Shan, "pen" of Pak Sha Tau, "pen holder" of Pak Ka Chau, "stamp" of Yan Chau, "ink slab" of Shek Pai, and a calm sea surface resembling a piece of drawing paper.

11/11/2019

CP12：梅子林攀跳玩樂再想像（展品）
🎀 Former Playground Re-imagined
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慶春約七村，有多組鋼架遊樂設施。六十年代，這種鋼架在遊樂場很常見，但今天卻變成罕見。

設計團隊把它搖身一變，披上百家布造的衣裳，啟發玩樂新想像！拱形鋼架下，可以捐山窿，可以乘涼，可以坐下聊天，儼如一個社區客廳；方形架提供了七彩佈景，讓你發揮創意，拍出好玩有趣的合照。

色彩斑斕的百家布還有祝福的含義。從前，嬰孩出生，父母就會籌集碎布，為孩子縫製衣裳，因此，百家布寓意孩子帶著眾人的祝福成長。我們也對梅子林懷著滿滿的祝福，希望前來遊玩的人可以在這裡停步、玩樂，欣賞這條村獨特的美。

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There used to be three sets of metal-frame structures across the Hing Chun Yeuk Villages. In 1960s, these frames were commonly seen but today it becomes rarely seen.

We have revamped the structures into a tunnel and an amoeba-cube with patched-fabrics. One can crawl, rest, chit-chat under the tunnel, or pose for interesting pictures at the amoeba-cube.

Patched-fabrics embody an extra layer of meaning. In the past, parents of a new-born would visit their friends to collect loose fabrics in order to patch together a quilt or clothes for their child. As such, the patched-fabric bears good wishes to the child from different families. By inviting people to stay and play at Mui Zi Lam, the artworks are meant to be a token of well wishes to Mui Zi Lam, celebrating its unique beauty with visitors.

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*製作單位 Design & Production:
胡瑋樂與團隊
Jacob & his team

#梅子林 #玩樂 #馬騮架 #百家布 #捐山窿 #社區客廳

11/11/2019

CP13：小蛤蟆與大磨菇（展品）
🐶 Handcrafted Bamboo Mushroom & Stone Frogs 🐱
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蛤塘之謂「蛤」「塘」，皆因昔日這裡兩旁河流水源充足，水稻形成如一個一個水塘，同時這裡很多肥美田雞，村民過去常常會捕捉成為佳餚，這裡有「蛤」有「塘」，自然而成地名。

蛤塘，從荔枝窩碼頭登岸，要走1.5公里的路登上半山。但辛苦過後，你會看見童話般的森林小村，村民養了近十隻貓狗，牠們會友善熱情歡迎訪客。村前大樹下，有村民自行檢拾大石而砌成枱椅，以供遊人休息，策展團隊期望增加這已形成的「社區客廳」的親切感，特別把青蛙畫在碎石，也以農家竹編的技巧分享，讓更多市民可以認識傳統之餘，也參與製作竹編大磨菇，當中運作了「輪口編」作基本單位，藝術家再以編竹簍般編出磨菇的外型，然後以「紊亂編」的編法將各人的輪口編單位組合而成作品。

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Kop (frog) Tong (pond) got its name, because the streams running on both sides of the place used to make paddy fields with a lot of big frogs. Villagers used to catch the big frogs to make delicious dishes.

It is a 1.5 kilometers' uphill walk from the dock of Lai Chi Wo to Kop Tong. After the climb, comes the fairy tale-liked village in the woods. The villagers have nearly ten cats and dogs. They welcome visitors warmly. Under the big tree in front of the village, there are stone tables and chairs made by the villagers, for visitors to take rest. The curatorial team added a friendly touch to this "community common area" by painting frog figures on the rocks. Traditional bamboo weaving skills were introduced to make big, bamboo mushrooms. Craftsmen used "random weaving skills", putting together other participants' "wheel patterned" handicrafts.

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製作單位 Design & Production:
*竹編：Ceci & Barnard@Breakthrough Art Studio
協力：義工Chan Mei Chi, Mo Sze Wai、SEE Network仝人
**立體青蛙畫：葉曉文

#竹編 #手作 #立體青蛙 #畫話小村 #鄉郊 #蛤塘

11/11/2019

CP14：鳥獸和鳴遊人樂（展品）
🐸 🐗 A celebration with our animal friends 🐦
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創作團隊多月來遊走慶春約七村，聽村民講故事，當中有青蛙、箭豬和百鳥的份兒。

無論是哪一條村的村民，總會提到清晨的鳥、田裡叫不停的青蛙、和那些嚇人有餘、攻擊力不足的箭豬，彷彿這些動物是他們不能或缺的老朋友。

既是老朋友，我們當然得讓它們參加打醮盛事。於是，我們在三椏村行人步道特意做了趣緻的青蛙、箭豬和百鳥狀照相框，供大家合照。

不要看相框小小的，我們試過，五人合照也容得下啊！快帶同親友，到三椏跟動物朋友打個卡吧！

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Over the last few months, the design team has visited various villages to collect anecdotes that would inspire the exhibition design. To our surprise, three types of animals were fondly remembered by villagers near and far. They are namely frogs, porcupines and birds.

These animals seem to have rooted the memory of many people who used to reside in the villages. Naturally, we incorporated these elements into the exhibition item.

Three wooden photo frames with these respective animals have been installed in Sam A Village. Take a frame and pose for a nice picture with your loved ones. Don’t be shy. The frames suit up to 5 faces!

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*製作單位 Design & Production:
胡瑋樂與團隊
Jacob & his team

#沙頭角慶春約打醮 #十年一約 #打卡 #動物朋友 #三椏村 #拍照 #行山

11/11/2019

CP15：歸鳥結緣鎖羅盆（展品）
🐦🦉A new chapter of home-coming🦅🦇
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喜愛行山的朋友，對鎖羅盤也許不陌生。從荔枝窩出發往鹿頸方向走，沿山路蜿蜒而上，大約四十五分鐘，眼前敞開一道懾人的美景 – 那就是鎖羅盤了。

團隊第一次去的時候，剛好碰上村民結隊行山，還熱切地分享他們對村的回憶。村口的鳳凰木，旁邊的小學，從前的人事物，如數家珍。

「我們雖然搬了出去，可是經常結伴回來啊！」他笑。

十年一次的打醮，是慶春約七村盛事，村民都從各地回家，既酬謝神明，也兌現與親朋好友的十年一約。創作團隊以此為題，在鎖羅盤鳳凰木上裝上七彩的鳥屋，慶祝百鳥歸巢的喜悅。

不熟路的朋友不用擔心，我們在路上掛了十二個如意路標，跟著鳥兒回家，就錯不了。

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Mountain lovers would perhaps be familiar with So Lo Pun, nestled half-way of a hiking path connecting Lai Chi Wo and Luk Keng, about 45 minutes from the starting point.

When we first visited the site, we ran into villagers on a hiking excursion. With much enthusiasm, they shared with us memories of the village, stories of the signature Royal poinciana, the nearby primary school and interesting anecdotes about different people.

“We left, and we didn’t in a way. We come back to visit often,” he laughed, as the group continued with their hike.

Da Chiu is a decennial celebration for villagers to come home from all corners of the world to pay their tributes to the gods, as well as meet their old friends. The creative team has therefore installed the Royal poinciana with colourful bird houses, signifying home-coming.

For those who do not know the place well, follow the 12 signages we put along the hiking path.

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*製作單位 Design & Production:
胡瑋樂與團隊
Jacob & his team

#沙頭角慶春約打醮 #十年一約 #鎖羅盤 #鳥屋 #行山秘境 #百鳥歸巢 #百鳥為記

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沙頭角慶春約──鄉郊保育文化之旅 “Hing Chun Yeuk” in Sha Tau Kok── A journey of cultural conservation

背景

環保署轄下的鄉郊保育辦公室去年成立，荔枝窩鄉郊復育工作是優先推動的項目之一，適逢此地十年一度太平清醮，該辦公室遂協調各持份者，策劃一系列紀錄、展覧、導賞及工作坊體驗等活動；硏究及製作機構思網絡獲委聘承辦。

策展者言

香港750多萬人口絕中大部分居住在24%的已建設區，過著典型城市人生活，鄉郊可能多被理解為假日消閒好去處。香港政府於1970年代中，制定了《郊野公園條例》及《城市規劃條例》，指導了往後保護戶外康樂用地、郊野及較高生態價值地區的政策發展。

「鄉郊保育」，是在鄉郊推行保護自然生態，活化其村落建築環境，以及保育人文資源的工作，可說是摸著石頭過河的新課題。

位於沙頭角半島的慶春約村落，包括了荔枝窩、梅子林、蛤塘、牛屎湖、三椏、鎖羅盆，及小灘，有近400年歷史，甚至更早已有另一族群在此居住；但香港百多年來城市發展的重心在港島及九龍，北區就變成遠離市區。1960年代，經濟環境變遷，傳統耕種難以謀生，慶春約村落居民因而大舉往外發展，村人口縮減，各建設日漸疏於打理，甚至一度荒廢。

保育，是透過不同方法讓一個地方的天然及人文資源得以永續發展，過程應讓更多人參與，從中領會這地方的文化價值。然而這方向沒有放諸四海而皆準的方法，正是「道可道，非常道」的狀態，因而更需考量各獨有情況而因地制宜，又是「常無，欲以觀其妙；常有，欲以觀其徼」，簡言之：觀察入微，方能切中事理。道家思想，與西方近代保育觀念，有相似之處，也始於「認識」。

人類學提出的「田野考察」同是追求觀察入微的硏究方法，即走進有關地方和社群，以更接近他們的角度去理解生活。是次田野考察的紀錄，集結成「鄉郊保育文化之旅」，當中包括：裝置展覽、網上伸延資料說明，及打醮相關紀錄，期望有助外界前來經驗和認識這裏。

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Background

The Countryside Conservation Office of the Environmental Protection Department was set up last year. The rural conservation work in Lai Chi Wo is one of the priority projects. Coinciding with the once in a decade "Da Chui Festival", the office took the opportunity to coordinate various stakeholders, planning a series of activities such as documentary, exhibition, guided tours, and workshops. SEE Network was commissioned for the research, planning and production of the events.

Curatorial Statement

Among the 7.5 million inhabitants in Hong Kong, most of them are living in the built-up areas (24% of the area of Hong Kong), leading a typical urban life. Countryside is considered a good place for leisure time. In the mid-70s, the Hong Kong Government enacted the "Country Parks Ordinance" and the "Town Planning Ordinance" to guide future policy formulation regarding outdoor recreational areas, countryside and areas of higher ecological value.

"Countryside conservation" is a new task to promote the protection of natural ecology, restoration of architectures in village areas, and the preservation of cultural heritage. It takes time and experiences to learn and improve.

Hing Chun Yeuk is located in Sha Tau Kok peninsula, which includes villages in Lai Chi Wo, Mui Tsz Lam, Kap Tong, Ngau Shi Wu, Sam A, So Lo Pun and Siu Tan. It has a history of nearly 400 years. It is believed another ethnic group has lived there even earlier. However, the focus of urban development in Hong Kong in the past century has been on Hong Kong Island and Kowloon, the North District remained far away from town centres. In the 1960s, the economic environment changed, traditional farming became difficult to earn a living. Villagers moved out of Hing Chun Yeuk then, villages were gradually abandoned while population shrank.

Conservation is the sustainable development of natural and human resources in a place through different methods. The process should involve more and more people to appreciate the cultural value of the place. However, there is no one-size-fits-all approaches to serve this aim. When no words can tell a definite way, we must consider the unique circumstances and adapt to specific conditions. As the old saying goes, "observe meticulously with inaction, appreciate the order of things when you act", Taoist thoughts coincide with modern conservation concepts, that they both begin with "understanding".

"Fieldwork" is an inquisitive research method in anthropology that enables meticulous observations. It purposes going into the communities and relevant places to understand the way of life and environments from a closer perspective. The records of this fieldwork research were collected and to be shown in "A journey of Cultural Conservation". It includes exhibitions, detailed online illustrations, and records of Ta Chiu Festival. It is hoped that it helps to invite people to come, experience and understand this place.