Hakka is a clan of Han nationality who migrated to the south. They migrated from the Central Plains to the north of Lingnan Ridge and even to other parts of the world, always praying for the protection of their ancestors. Therefore, reburial and sweeping are important activities for every Hakka. The characteristics of thick burial are "back ancestral bones" and "second burial". "Carrying ancestors' bones" means that Hakka people carry their ancestors' bones on their backs in the process of fleeing, so as not to throw them away and be ravaged by people of other different nationalities. Once they find a new place to live and a treasure trove of geomantic omen, they will clean the bones and put them in a "golden bucket" for rebury.
This custom of Hakkas has been inherited. Even if they don't migrate, they will re-grave, open coffins, clean the bones and store them in a "golden bucket" within three to ten years after burying their ancestors, and then choose a auspicious place for the second burial. Funeral is also an important and sacred worship activity.
Hakka people worship their ancestors' graves not in Tomb-Sweeping Day, but in the Spring and Autumn Period. Why? There are two reasons: First, Hakka people live in the mountainous area north of Lingnan Ridge. Raoping, Chaoan, Jiexi and Liuhe are all places where Hakka people live, and Zhongshan, as the center of the Pearl River Delta, is a place where Hakka people live. Hakka people live in mountainous areas, and the arable land is extremely limited. In addition, they should pay attention to geomantic omen, so they all buried their ancestors on various hills, far from home. Tomb-Sweeping Day is also a busy season for spring ploughing by Hakkas, and "Spring competes for the sun in summer", so the spring ploughing season must not be delayed by sweeping graves, so Hakkas are not allowed to sweep graves in Tomb-Sweeping Day.
Second, Hakkas live in poverty. "From the seventh day to the eighth day, every family is eating porridge"; If the child starts school, the tuition fee cannot be borrowed, and even the hens that lay eggs have to be sold; Qingming spring ploughing needs investment. At this time, there is no money and nothing to sweep the grave. How should we face our ancestors? Therefore, in terms of property, Hakkas are not allowed to sweep graves in Tomb-Sweeping Day.
Hakka people have reformed the traditional custom of sweeping graves in Tomb-Sweeping Day, China, and changed it to "Spring and Autumn". The Spring Festival is the first month of spring. Wealthy families began to sweep graves on the ninth day of the first month, so they had time and property. In the first month, they went to sweep the grave, adding soil and pulling weeds. In short, they should be repaired. In addition, you can also tell your ancestors what plans you have in the new year and how to implement them, and pray for their spiritual protection! "Autumn Festival" is the slack season after summer sowing and summer harvest. On the one hand, we have time, on the other hand, the fruits of labor in the first half of this year can be dedicated to the spirits of our ancestors, and we pray that our ancestors will have a good harvest in the second half of this year. This reform of Hakkas is very wise, and it is based on reality.
Early in the morning in Tomb-Sweeping Day, the Hakkas set out with sacrificial supplies, hoes, sickles and other tools. According to local customs, after the death of their loved ones, they all like to be buried on the hillside. Upon arrival, everyone will start to clean up the weeds in the cemetery of their loved ones, and the weeds around the cemetery should also be cleaned up. Hakkas believe that clearing weeds is not only to look better, but also to express their respect and yearning for their deceased relatives. After the weeds are cleared, put a tribute and you can burn incense and worship. Everyone bowed three times with incense, and then placed incense in front of their relatives' graves. If you are a respected male elder, the younger generation needs to bow in addition to bowing.
Another important custom of Hakka Tomb-Sweeping Day's grave sweeping is to make mugs. Every household grinds rice and glutinous rice into flour, mixes it with the broken leaves of Artemisia argyi, and makes a blue rice hairpin, either steamed or fried, which tastes delicious. The bitter Artemisia argyi leaves have become very mild at this time, leaving only a faint fragrance. Sitting around eating mugs is not only delicious, but also can enjoy the joy of family reunion. Many Hakkas from other places will take some mugs with them when they leave.