In traditional Han Chinese societies, paying tribute is centered around males, as it is thought that females would eventually marry out of the family and adopt another surname. To include single, unmarried females in the ancestral tablet would cause confusion during the offering of tribute and prayers; thus these women were left out, and when unmarried females passed away, their ashes would be placed in temples. Unmarried males, on the other hand, are included in the ancestral tablet as they carry the same surname and are considered to be “within the family.”
.jpg "An ancestral tablet for 'gu po'")
(Photo: Taiwan Hakka Culture Development Center)
With the changing of times, and as a result of new perspectives on gender equality, Hakka families began to make changes to their ways of paying respects to those that have passed, gradually recognizing the importance and rights of females in the family. Many Hakka families began to set up ancestral tablets for “gu po” in their ancestral halls, dedicated to settling the ashes of female ancestors who were previously not allowed to be placed in the ancestral hall. As such, female ancestors are treated like the males in the families, and later generations are able to pay their respect to them as well.
Back in the 90s, the family of Luo Yun-yu (羅允玉) from Xinwu District, Taoyuan had already pushed for such an arrangement for female ancestors. Although this was met with much resistance from the elders, who thought this was breaking tradition, after more than a decade of effort, the family was able to incorporate gender equality in their daily customs. In March 2019, the Luo family picked an auspicious date and moved all the ashes of unmarried female ancestors into the ancestral hall.
In the early days of agricultural society, women were not held in regard. In modern times, this truly seemed inappropriate – the fact that a larger percentage of women in modern times were unmarried compared to the past made many Hakka families reflect on the issue of how to handle the funeral matters of single women after they passed, and the updated practices received the support of most in these families.
The Hakka Affairs Council (HAC) also promoted the concept of gender equality vis-à-vis Hakka traditional customs of paying respects to ancestors through a series of talks, visits, conferences, and through various media outlets. Customs and practices are set collectively by a community of people to be followed; as such, it can be adjusted and changed accordingly with the times. We should make appropriate changes, and learn to view life and death through new ways, so that our loved ones who have left us – regardless of gender – will always be respected and remembered by the living who pay their respects.
