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Water sources are one of the location conditions for land cultivation and safe inhabitation, and residing next to mountains and water is a geographical commonality for Hakka residential selection at early stages. The Dajia River Basin is one of the important water sources for Taichung County and in the Hakka history of immigration and development; it has guided the direction of cultivation for immigrants. To Hakka people, the meaning of the Dajia River Basin is not only as a vision of residential Feng-Shui or function of living access and irrigation, but as a channel of external connection of transportation and delivery of economical crops. In the course of land cultivation by Hakka ancestors on Dajia River Basin, Mr. Chang, Dajing signed a contract with Pan, A-dun - local officer of An-Li Community from c. 1664 to 1734 for land acquisition by means of “transfer of land in exchange of water”. Subsequently, the “Six Households” signed a joint contract with An-Li Community for canal construction and irrigation, which set the foundation for Hakka people immigrating to Taichung area for land cultivation. After that, Hakka people reclaimed lands along the river and established “Hakka villages” along the line starting from Shengang, Fongyuan, Tanzi, Shihgang, Dongshih and ending at Shinshe. During this stage, the Hakka’s enjoined in a battle for survival with the Pingpu Tribe, Atayal Tribe and Holuo people in weapons combat whilst looking for living space to settle down. By facing the new geographical environment, adapting and inspiring cultural change and with a background of cultural assimilation and modernization, it was a significant verification for the Hakka people of Dajia River Basin to express their original culture with insistent and unique methods via residential buildings. In addition to practically showing features of their original homelands and concepts of Feng-Shui in its architectural elements and layout, the greatest feature of Hakka residences is the combination between local geography and natural conditions of climate. The common features for traditional Hakka residences in Dajia River Basin and original homelands are the group living, order and co-existence of public and private affairs, which reveals the traditional spirit of focusing on blood relationships and worshipping the ancestors. The combination of surrounding house and ancestral shrine expressed the Hakka tradition of respecting their ancestors. In terms of flat layout and space combination, it also complies with traditional Hakka requirements of courtesy in family orders and household classification. At the same time, the defense of surrounding house in the original homeland was more important than living practicalities while the traditional Hakka residence in Dajia River Basin focuses more on living practicalities than defense. This represents the historical background for Hakka people on defense to external threats or living style, as well as influence created from village environment and cultural features belonging to local Hakka people.
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