• Source: Teochew people

The Teochew people or Chaoshanese, Teo-Swa people or Chaoshan people (rendered Têo-Swa in romanized Teoswa and Cháoshàn in Modern Standard Mandarin also known as Teo-Swa in mainland China due to a change in place names) is an ethnic group native to the historical Chaoshan region in south China who speak the Teochew language. Today, most ethnic Teochew people live throughout Chaoshan and Hong Kong, and also outside China in Southeast Asia, including in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Cambodia, Vietnam, and the Philippines. The community can also be found in diasporas around the world, including the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and France.




Terms


Teochew can be romanized in a variety of schemes, and are known in Mandarin as Cháoshan rén and in Cantonese as Chiushan yan. In referring to themselves as Sinitic people, Teochew people generally use Deung nang (Chinese: 唐人; pinyin: Tángrén; lit. 'Tang dynasty people'), as opposed to Hang Jin (simplified Chinese: 汉人; traditional Chinese: 漢人; pinyin: Hànrén; lit. 'Han dynasty people').
Teochew people of the diaspora would generally use ting nang (Chinese: 唐儂; pinyin: tangnóng) to indicate Sinitic heritage in a cultural sense. Tingnang and tangren are broadly used by most of the southern Sinitic people living outside of China, referring to their maintaining a substantial cultural identity they consider to be Sinitic people. The identification of "tingnang" could perhaps be due to their early affiliation with the Tang dynasty. The Teochew people are those who speak the Teochew language and identify with Teochew culture, cuisine, and customs. The Swatow people are those who speak the Swatow language and identify with Swatow culture, cuisine, and customs.
Kekyeo, Teochew, Swatow and Chaoshan people also commonly refer to each other as ga gi nang (Chinese: 家己儂; pinyin: Jiājǐrén; lit. 'our own people').




History


The ancestors of the Teochew people moved to present-day Chaoshan as refugees from central and northern China due to various reasons. Historical texts suggests this was likely due to war and famine in the region. The Teochews, along with the Hokkien people, migrated from the Central Plains and Yellow River region, mainly from the Henan, Shaanxi and Shandong provinces. This is evident in several genetic studies, which show a strong relationship and ancestry based on common Y-chromosome patterns and higher prevalence of esophageal cancer. Han Chinese from the Taihang region of Henan are likely the ancestral population for both Fujian Han (i.e. Hokkien people) and the Chaoshan Han (i.e. the Teochew people).
The Teochew language was officially established sometime around Tang and Song period, before becoming a mature and well-established language sometime during late Ming / early Qing period. From approximately 900 AD - 1600 AD, as a result of various wars and political instability in the north, there was a large influx of Han Chinese from the north and central provinces to the Chaoshan region.
The Teochew were often called Fulao (Hoklo) because they came mostly passed through Fujian during migration, with some well-maintained language and customs from ancient China. As was recorded in pedigrees and ancient inscriptions, one of the two groups of those who temporarily migrated to the capital city of Fujian later moved to parts of Chaoshan instead in batches during the Tang dynasty, genetically intermixing with the local people within Chaoshan there.
The Teochew people are mistakenly known to the Cantonese as "Hoklo", literally meaning "men of Fujian", although the term "Teochew" was used in the Straits Settlements in the 19th century and early 20th century. "Teochew" is derived from Teochew prefecture (Chaozhou Fu) the departmental city where they originate.




= Teochew immigration to Singapore

=

The writings of Stamford Raffles and William Farquhar indicate that the British found Temenggong Abdul Rahman with 400 to 500 residents in Singapore in January 1819. Another member of the 1819 expedition party, Captain John Crawford, recalled in his diary an encounter with “upwards of 100” of Chinese. British colonial documentations revealed that Temenggong Abdul Rahman had provided these Chinese who were Teochews the cost and expenses of opening gambier plantations at Mount Stamford (now Pearl’s Hill) prior to British arrival. He had also “in some instances” advanced money to the Teochew cultivators on the understanding he would be repaid in the form of gambier or other produce. Farquhar had the impressions that the Temenggong’s interests in these plantations were represented by a brother-in-law of his named Baba Ketchil and the first Captain China of Singapore, a Teochew merchant named Tan Heng Kim (陈亨钦), was “one of the principal persons concerned”. Based on Teochew oral traditions in Singapore published by Phua Chye Long (潘醒农) in Teo-chews in Malaya (马来亚潮侨通鉴) in 1950, the first Teochews in Singapore were led by Tan Heng Kim, who was from Siam, and a second merchant named Heng Hong Sung (王丰顺) from Ampou town in Chaozhou, China. Together, they founded the Yueh Hai Ching Temple on the south bank of the Singapore River.
From the 19th century, significant numbers of Teochew people left their homeland for Singapore and a new life. Early Teochew settlers could trace their origins to eight counties/prefectures: Chao'an, Chenghai, Chaoyang, Jieyang, Raoping, Puning, Huilai and Nan'ao. In addition to these new immigrants from the port of Swatow (Shantou), Teochew immigrants from Siam and the Riau Islands also began settling in Singapore after 1819.
Today, Teochew language is the second-most spoken Sinitic language in Singapore. They are the second-largest race / Ethnic group in Singapore, comprising 21% of the sinitic population. As a result, they play a significant role in commerce and politics.




= Teochew in Taiwan

=

Most of the Teochew descendants in Taiwan have already been "hokkienized" ("hoklonized"). They speak the Taiwanese Hokkien language instead of Teochew, but some Teochew are still in Chaozhou township, in Pingtung County.
A 1926 Japanese census found that 134,800 people in Taiwan were of Teochew ancestry.




Diaspora


Like the rest of the Chinese diaspora, the Teochew have been known for their ability to thrive in adverse settings and harsh conditions, and to tolerate very low margins in the initial phase of a business. While the Chinese diaspora as a whole is known for its relative success and economically dominant position in SE Asia - so that tycoons and successful businesspeople can be found from all dialect groups, the Teochew, in particular, have acquired a special reputation for their commercial acumen and derring-do, and often have the highest socioeconomic status amongst the Chinese diaspora, especially in Thailand. Their role as rice merchants enabled them to later develop the capital needed to become the nations' bankers.




Culture



Throughout a history of over 1000 years, the region of Chaoshan, known in ancient times as Teochew Prefecture, has developed and cultivated a prestigious culture, which manifests its unique characteristics in language, opera, traditional dress, cuisine, tea practice, music, and embroidery.
The Teochew language (simplified Chinese: 潮州话; traditional Chinese: 潮州話; Teochew pronunciation: Diê5 ziu1 uê7) is a series of dialect varieties spoken across the geographical area which was formerly administered by Teochew Prefecture (or Chaozhou Fu, 潮州府) from the Hongwu period of the Ming dynasty (1369) to the end of the Qing dynasty. It is spoken by roughly 10 million people in Chaoshan and more than five million outside the Chinese mainland.
Teochew Cuisine is known for its distinctive sauces, seafood dishes, and stews.
Teochew opera (Chinese: 潮劇) is a traditional art form, which has a history of more than 500 years and is now enjoyed by 20 million Teochew people in over 20 countries and regions. Based on local folk dances and ballads, Teochew opera has formed its own style under the influence of Nanxi Opera. Nanxi is one of the oldest Chinese operas and originated in the Song dynasty. The old form of choral accompaniment still preserves its distinctive features. Clowns and females are the most distinctive characters in Teochew opera, and fan play and acrobatic skills are prominent.
Teochew music (Chinese: 潮州音樂) is popular in Chaoshan's teahouse scene. The Teochew string instrument, gong, drum, and traditional Chinese flute are typically involved in ensembles. The current Chaozhou drum music is said to be similar to the Drum and Wind Music form of the Han and Tang dynasties.
Teochew woodcarving (Chinese: 潮州木雕) is a form of Chinese woodcarving originating from Chaoshan. Teochew people used a great deal of Teochew wood carving in their buildings.

Yingge dance (Chinese: 英歌) is a form of Chinese folk dance which started in the Qing dynasty. With a history of more than 300 years, it is regarded as one of the most representative forms folk arts in Teochew culture.
Although few movies or television dramas have been made about the Teochew people, one such notable drama is the Singaporean 1995 drama series The Teochew Family. In 2019, Netflix released the documentary series Flavorful Origins, which focused on Teochew cuisine.




Notable Teochew people






= Politicians

=



Leaders

Chatichai Choonhavan, Prime Minister of Thailand; 1988–1991.
Banharn Silpa-archa, Prime Minister of Thailand; 1995–1996



Cabinet ministry

Bhichai Rattakul, President of the National Assembly, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand.
Chumpol Silpa-archa, Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand, Minister of Tourism and Sports, Minister of Education.
Kalaya Sophonpanich, Minister of Science and Technology of Thailand.
Korn Dabbaransi, Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand, Minister of Office of the Prime Minister, Minister of Science and Technology, Minister of Public Health, Minister of Industry.
Bhichit Rattakul, Governor of Bangkok.
Alice Wong, Minister of Business, Minister of Seniors of Canada.
Lim Boon Heng, Minister in the Prime Minister's Office, Minister without portfolio.
Lim Swee Say, Minister in the Prime Minister's Office, Minister for Manpower, Minister for the Environment of Singapore.
Teo Chee Hean, Senior Minister of Singapore, Coordinating Minister for National Security, Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore, Minister for Education, Minister for Defence.
Tan Soo Khoon, Speaker of the Parliament of Singapore.
Varawut Silpa-archa, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment of Thailand.
Koh Poh Koon, Senior Minister for Environment, Manpower, Trade and Industry of Singapore.



Others

Kraisak Choonhavan, member of Thailand parliament.
Gladys Liu, Member of Parliament for Chisholm, Australia.




= Businesspeople and entrepreneurs

=
Li Ka-shing, founder of Cheung Kong Holdings.
Chau Chak-Wing, founder of Kingold Group.
Chin Sophonpanich, founded Bangkok Bank and Bangkok Insurance.
Vincent Lo, founder and chairman of Shui On Group.
Lim Por-yen, founded the Lai Sun Group.
Goh Cheng Liang, billionaire businessman, founded Wuthelam Holdings, which manufactures paint and coatings.
Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi, billionaire, founder of Thai Beverage, and the chairman of conglomerates TCC Group and Fraser and Neave.
Krit Ratanarak, chairman of Bangkok Broadcasting & Television Company.
Joseph Lau, founder, chairman, and CEO of Chinese Estates Group.
Thomas Lau, CEO of Lifestyle International Holdings which operates Hong Kong's largest department, Sogo Hong Kong.
Trương Mỹ Lan, billionaire businesswoman and real estate developer in Vietnam, convicted for corruption in 2024.
Peter Lam, billionaire and chairman of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council.
Chartsiri Sophonpanich, president of Bangkok Bank.
Ma Huateng, one of the top ten richest men in the world, with an estimated net worth of US$55.3 billion. He is the founder, chairman, and CEO of Tencent.
Thapana Sirivadhanabhakdi, CEO and president of ThaiBev.




= Actors and singers

=
Chen Shucheng, actor and host.
Tan Kheng Hua, actress
Canti Lau, actor and singer.
Zoe Tay, actress and former model.
Chen Hanwei, actor.
Joe Ma, actor.
Ada Choi, actress.
James Ma, actor and model from Thailand.
Lucas Wong, rapper, singer, and model.
Jessica Henwick, actress, director and writer.
Ellen Wong, actress.




See also


Poh Teck Tung Foundation: Teochew religious charitable group in Thailand
Ngee Ann Kongsi: Teochew charitable group in Singapore
Thai Chinese
Taishanese people
Lingnan culture
Lingnan




Notes






References and further reading


Gia Lim Tan, "Origins," An Introduction to the Culture and History of the Teochews in Singapore," ISBN 9813239352 World Scientific, 2018. doi:10.1142/10967




External links


Gaginang, a teochew nonprofit organization
Singapore Teochew Federation for Businesses & Associations

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