Yau Ma Tei Boat People in Hong Kong

Yau Ma Tei boat people refers to those who lived in the Yau Ma Tei Typhoon Shelter, Kowloon, Hong Kong from around 1916 to 1990. Yau Ma Tei boat people mainly consisted of Tanka people. In the 1980s many families moved to public housing on land under a special Housing Authority scheme. The original typhoon shelter was filled in under the Airport Core Programme in the 1990s.

There are many different typhoon shelters in Hong Kong. The Yau Ma Tei Typhoon Shelter was established in 1915 after a serious typhoon that hit on 18 September 1906. Around 3,000 fish boats sank because of the typhoon, prompting the Hong Kong Government to build a typhoon shelter for those boat people who relied on fishery in Yau Ma Tei to make a living.

Yau Ma Tei boat people changed their careers from fishery to entertainment and catering services in the 1950s. With the Government promoting typhoon shelters as a tourist spot, the Yau Ma Tei Typhoon Shelter earned the reputation of "Boat Shanghai Street", signifying the flourishing prospect of it as a leisure spot. The typhoon shelter was popular with its featured cuisine and performance, and was conveniently located immediately west of Mong Kok. It attracted not only local people, but also tourists. It was the golden period of the Yau Ma Tei shelter. Yet, there were news reports that suggested that the typhoon shelter jeopardised social order as crimes like gambling, prostitution, and opium trade was reportedly common.

The boat people's livelihood was closely related to nature. As fishery depends on the weather, they asked for safety by god worshiping.

Tin Hau Festival: On the 23rd day of the Third Moon, hundreds of boat people sailed towards Tin Hau temples, where they showed their respects to Tin Hau, with offerings. The festival aimed at seeking for the supernatural protection, such as good weather and affluent harvest. Apart from Tin Hau, they also believed in other gods, such as Hung Hsing and Tam Kung, for their safety.

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