Religion and Ethnicity in Hong Kong

Religion in Hong Kong The Religious Environment of Hong Kong is based on two things: Practicality and superstition

Oh, by the way, yes, there is freedom of religion, so dont worry Religion and Ethnicity in Hong KongReligionEthnicity

Traditional Chinese ReligionPracticalSuperstitious (Da siu yan)

Chinese Religions Explained Practicality means that religion is only a way to an end, not an end in itself. If a God doesnt perform, it gets thrown outSuperstitious is exactly what it saysChinese religion is syncretistic, combining ideas from Daoism, Confucianism and Buddhism

Christianity in Hong Kong

Christianity came with the British, holds steady at around 7% of the populationChristian schools have made large impact in societyMany prominent HK leaders are ChristianVery powerful shows of support like Jesus marches, large prayer gatherings, etcSeen as a bit westernized and proportionally greater influence than its 7% would suggest

Christianity in popular cultureUse of churches for weddings very popular for non-ChristiansSeen as too westernAs a significant minority, most Hkers have a basic idea of what Christianity is, and conversion is not overly difficult.Christians portrayed as goody-two shoes

Islam and Indian ReligionsIslam: 200,000 in HkSikhism and hinduism: About 45,000

Islam and Sikhism, HinduismMuslims in HK come from many backgrounds, but the large influx of Indonesian domestic helpers means Islam is increasing in HKSikhs and other Indians came to HK with the British to work as policemen and soldiers. Many stayed after 1997 and today the Indian community is so local that they speak Cantonese perfectlyEthnic Groups of Hong KongA cultural mosaic (to borrow a phrase Canadians love so much)The ChineseBeing in China, the Chinese are 95% of the populationHK can be considered China for wimps for travellers who want an easier travel experienceThe Chinese in HK come from all over China, but predominantly Guangdong (Canton)

Canton, Chiu Chow, ShanghaiThe three largest groups of Chinese in HK come from Canton (Guangzhou), Chiu Chow (Teochew or Chaozhou) and ShanghaiShanghainese businessmen have been a longstanding part of the HK sceneLee Ka-Shing, richest man in HK, is Chiu ChowOur own grandfather came from Canton

The Chinese of Hong KongThe Chinese groups have intermingled for generations and are quite comfortable with each otherHardworking, thriftyCan work at extremely high speedSingle-minded pursuit of money, but that has changed post-SARSDevoted to family, superstitiousAdores food and drink due to history of famineBlunt to others but doesnt mind personal questions themselves (also changing)Tends to be very loud in conversation compared to North AmericansOpenly flaunts wealth, very materialistic and calculating with moneyValues education highly, often too highlyVery competitive business atmosphere

The British (and other English speakers)As former colonials, the British of HK are another longstanding communityTraditionally Anglican, now mostly secularAussies and Kiwis more numerous post-1997Hang out around bar district and get drunkMany are Young professionals nowadays, old colonial generation dying off

Indonesians and FilipinosIndonesiansFilipinos

Southeast Asian Domestic HelpersStarting in the 1980s, Hkers busy lifestyles made them hire women from the Philippines and Indonesia as domestic helpersFilipinos speak English, and Hkers wanted their kids to learn EnglishFilipinos were usually hired by young families for their children, as parents were too busy to take care of kids. Indonesian domestic helpers were hired to take care of seniors and families, and were trained to speak Cantonese and cook Chinese foodFilipinos are mostly Catholic and Indonesians are mostly Muslim. Every Sunday is their day off and parks in HK are full of laughing, playing and relaxing domestic helpersQuite a sad situation as many domestic helpers are university graduates, but can earn more doing these jobs in HK than in professions back homeDomestic helpers on their free day

The South Asian CommunityCame with the British to work as policeSlow but steady immigration over the yearsAssimilated into HK society by speaking Cantonese, opening businesses(Guy on right is speaking Cantonese)

Other NationsAs a cosmopolitan city, HK attracts ppl from all countries in Asia, Europe and North America tens of thousands of Koreans, Japanese live here for work. Most integrate decently enough as Korean and Japanese culture shares many traits with Chinese cultureAnother several thousand Europeans live in HK for work or study. An increasing number of European students are studying in HKYes, there are many Americans and Canadians too.ABCs and CBCs come here for work