Who will remember the memories of the sea? I believe their stories would continue to captivate and inspire us as we explore the intersections of gender, historical and mythical narratives...
Who writes history and how it is written depends entirely on the perspective of the writer. When we examine the legend of Lo Ting, a Canton mermaid legend, we discover that much of it revolves around the authenticity of history and identity. In 1997, there was an exhibition by Ho Hing Kay Oscar titled "Hong Kong Reincarnated: New Lo Ting Archeological Find". It showcased a series of reenactments and mixed historical records with mythological storytelling, leaving visitors unsure of what is true or false. In 2014, KK Wong Kwok-kei used Lo Ting as a vehicle to create a trilogy of theatrical works called "Century-Old Dreams of a Fishing Harbour," depicting the transformation of Hong Kong over a hundred years. In 2022, the pseudo-documentary film "Dialogue with Lo Ting" further explored the authenticity of Lo Ting and the interpretation behind the myth, providing spiritual solace to the audience. The well-known movie "Three Husbands" by Fruit Chan also metaphorically represents Hong Kong through the character of a prostitute. And countless literary works have extended and imagined this legend, incorporating it as a motif of contemporary art and culture.
Lo Ting
"Lo Ting" is indeed a local mermaid legend, and it represents the hybrid nature of identity. In the realm between being half-human and half-fish, Lo Tings strive to live silently. This “silence” is both metaphorical and literal, since they are described as “not civilised” and as creatures that “speak no human language”. Cultural commentators have expressed that we are all Lo Ting, seeking survival across generations. Between their struggle for survival and their longing for peace, tranquillity, and kindness lies their helplessness against exploitation and their voicelessness. Whenever Lo Ting is mentioned, it is often associated with an identity crisis.
The legend is a historical narrative originating from a rebellion in the south: Lo Chun, a general of the Eastern Jin dynasty, dissatisfied with the corruption of the court, took up the cause of Sun En's "Five Bushels of Rice” and launched an attack on the capital. However, the rebellion ultimately failed, and Lo Chun fled south, eventually choosing to end his life by throwing himself into the sea. According to legend, his descendants desired a peaceful life by the sea, so they transformed into mermaids and established their homes on a free and uninhibited island (known as "Da Xi Shan" in ancient times and now as Lantau Island). What attracts me the most about this tale is not its chaotic historical depictions nor its magical elements but rather how subsequent generations have depicted it.
"Unable to speak, only able to smile." (Qu, Dajun, "Guangdong Xin Yu", Qing Dynasty)
"Resembling a human but not quite, with a monster's beak and a naked body." (Deng Chun, "Lingnan Cong Shu," , Qing Dynasty )
"Sea mermaids... Their skin is as white as jade and devoid of scales... In appearance, they are no different from men and women. Many widows and widowers by the sea have obtained them and raised them in ponds. When they engage in intercourse, it is no different from humans, and they do not harm people." ( Li Fang, "Tai Ping Guang Ji," Song Dynasty)
These excerpts provide different perspectives on Lo Ting, describing her inability to speak, her physical characteristics, and her interactions with humans. In recent years, Fruit Chan's film "Three Husbands" portrays Lo Ting as a woman addicted to sex. Literary works such as "The Chronicles of Wu He You: Volumes One to Three" depict people keeping Lo Ting captive and reducing her to a sex slave…
Hold on... in the legend, Lo Chun was a general. However, in subsequent portrayals of Lo Ting and their descendants, they have been depicted as increasingly marginalized people, and eventually they were associated with prostitutes. The image of Lo Ting as someone who does not harm others and provides (sexual) services is far removed from the initial idea of a leader rebelling against the capital. This transformation from male to female, from strength to weakness, and the use of sexuality as a metaphor for oppression is a familiar trope in artistic works.
As a creator, I have been immersing myself in this narrative and repeatedly engaging with it to make it a part of myself. In this process of embodiment, I feel an inevitable sense of helplessness. This helplessness is beyond words -- the continued sense of exploitation is embedded in the personas in the performance, from army general to sex slave. The possibility of choice remains out of reach and these personas are caught up in the current of the times.
It has been argued that the transformation of the legendary Lo Ting into a mermaid was a way to rationalize discrimination. In historical accounts written by inland cultures, there was a lack of understanding towards sea-based minorities and their ways of living, which led to a communication gap between them and the mainlanders. According to some accounts, Lo Ting is believed to be the ancestor of the Tanka. The Tanka lived on water, with boats as their homes, and they were long subjected to discrimination by mainland residents, and were even referred to as "inferior people." They were neglected and prohibited from studying and engaging in official or commercial activities. There were even prohibitions along the sea area. They lived in poverty and lacked education, and it was common for men to turn to theft and for women to engage in prostitution.
Zheng Yi Sao
Zheng Yi Sao, was a prominent female pirate during the Qing Dynasty. She was born as Tanka and was a flower boat girl at an early age. Her life took a dramatic turn when she was kidnapped by Zheng Yi, a powerful pirate leader in the South China Sea. He made her his wife, granting her significant authority within his pirate fleet, "Red Flag Fleet", which later became a formidable force, rivaling the Qing Dynasty's navy. The Zhengs united six pirate fleets and formed a federation.
After Zheng Yi's death, Zheng Yi Sao remarried their adoptive son, Cheung Po Tsai and took rule of the pirate federation. She implemented various reforms, a system of laws and regulations. One notable measure was the introduction of "passports". Merchants were required to obtain these passports from the pirate fleet in order to sail safely. Therefore, politically and commercially, Zheng Yi Sao took the rule of coastal regions, engaging in both plundering and trade activities. Her influence and power were so significant that the Qing Dynasty's attempts to suppress the pirates were often met with resistance.
Apparently, Zheng Yi Sao was indeed establishing a different system and a separate entity on the sea. The pirate activities of the Red Flag Fleet posed challenges for the Qing Dynasty and foreign traders alike. Records such as the "History of the Pirates who infested the China Sea" and the "Pacifying the South China Sea" document the battle of Lantau Island (also known as the Battle of Chek Lap Kok), where Zheng Yi Sao and Cheung Po Tsai were besieged by combined Chinese and Portuguese forces in the vicinity of Lantau Island. They managed to stage a daring counterattack and break free. After the Qing Dynasty failed to defeat them, they eventually offered Zheng Yi Sao and her followers amnesty.
Eventually, Zheng Yi Sao accepted the offer and retired from piracy. She became a lady with an honorary title conferred by imperial mandate. she lived a relatively peaceful life as a wealthy merchant until her death in Macau.
As time progressed, empires transitioned into colonial eras, marking the beginning of modernisation. For me, the story of Zheng Yi Sao has always been living. From a life of drifting to establishing another sea civilization, to her graceful retirement on land... she had redefined her position and had refused to be limited by external circumstances. When people thought she was a prostitute, she became a wife. They thought she was someone's lady, but she became a pirate leader. They thought she would prioritize her reputation and refuse to compromise, but she could negotiate with the imperial government with eight children... Regarding the legend of Lo Chun, when the imperial court offered him amnesty, he chose death over "compromising." If Zheng Yi Sao had an inexplicable connection to this general, how would she rewrite history in terms of her female identity and her contemporary imagination? Her story would continue to captivate and inspire us as we explore the intersections of gender and power narratives.
Ocean as Civilisation
When it comes to pirates, they cannot be understood from a single location—they were active across a maritime region. Their presence could be seen along the coast of the Pearl River Delta and extended as far as Vietnam. Additionally, given the frequent international maritime trade at the time, pirate activities were not just a local security issue but also posed a "common challenge" to the international maritime economic system. To explore the topic of piracy beyond South China, I read "Pacific Worlds: A History of Seas, Peoples, and Cultures," by Matt K. Matsuda. The Chinese translation is published in Taiwan, and encompasses the histories of Southeast Asia, the Malay Peninsula, Indonesia, China, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and Pacific island nations. It also delves into the interactions between Eastern and Western powers, such as the Netherlands, Portugal, and Britain, portraying the landscape of maritime trade and the colonial era.
The book discusses the activities of South China pirates during the Ming and Qing dynasties, highlighting their establishment of an alternative civilization at sea. It also explores the interactions and exchanges between different cultures in the Pacific region, shaping its history and creating a dynamic and interconnected tapestry.
How do we turn to individual stories, and ocean stories, that can open up these grand historical narratives?
Who will remember the memories of the sea?
My favourite materials throughout the process：
“Mr. Glasspoole and the Chinese pirates : being the narrative” by Richard Glasspoole
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