Minister Gu expressed HAC’s gratitude to Professor Cohen for deciding to center on Meinong 60 years ago, capturing invaluable photographs and compiling documentary data. His efforts have enabled us to gain insight into life in Meinong at the time. “Ngang giang”, or iron will, is often associated with Hakka people, but we are much more than that. Hakkas are hospitable—Meinong and Longdu residents offered warm friendship and generous assistance to this foreign researcher when he arrived at Meinong over half a century ago. This is also something that sets Hakka people apart, an intrinsic part of our spirit. Everyone who took part in this magnificent effort deserves appreciation, giving us a glimpse into Hakka villages of the past.
Myron L. Cohen came to Taiwan as a young scholar in 1964 to conduct field research and chose the village of Meinong as the base of his studies, becoming the first overseas “honorary resident” in Meinong District. From the eyes of a foreign-born anthropologist, he became part of modern life at Meinong’s Hakka villages and produced more than 5,000 photographs of immense value, with his research findings published in global journals. He was a key figure in calling the international academic community’s attention to Meinong, documenting the history of Hakka village development.
As it is time for this distinguished anthropologist to retire, the Kaohsiung City Iudui Homeland Foundation invited Professor Cohen to return to Meinong, where he gave a retirement speech themed: “Observations from 60 Years in Meinong and Hakka Studies”. It was followed by a panel discussion with the participation of Professor Chung Hsiu-mei of the Department of Taiwanese Literature, National Cheng Kung University; Professor Hung Hsin-lan of the Graduate Institute of Hakka Culture Studies, National Kaohsiung Normal University; Principal Chang Ur-wein of Long-Shan Elementary School; and folklore scholar Huang A-tsai. Distinguished guests included HAC Minister Gu; Minister Yang Jui-hsia of the Hakka Affairs Commission, Kaohsiung City Government; Director Hsieh Hoh-ling of Meinong District, Kaohsiung City; and Professor Chien Mei-ling of the College of Hakka, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University.
