導賞點 1
烏蛟騰原名叫烏龜田?
Wu Kau Tang was originally called Tortoise Field?
烏蛟騰相傳以前非常多烏龜,故名烏龜田(又稱烏蛟田),由於此名稍欠優雅,故請當地秀才改名為「烏蛟騰」,取蛟龍翻騰之意,烏蛟騰一名自此沿用至今。 古道的命名,通常是用兩端目的地名字的結合,「苗三古道」就是昔日連接上、下苗田村及三椏村主要通道。
According to legend, Wu Kau Tang was abundant with turtles, so it became known as Tortoise Field (also known as Wu Kau Tin). Because the name lacked grace, a local scholar renamed the village to Wu Kau Teng, using a reference to a mythical dragon. This name has been used ever since.The name of an ancient trail was typically the combination of two eventual destinations. Miu Sam Ancient Trail was the key passage that used to connect Sheung Miu/Ha Miu Tin Village and Sam A Tsuen.
早期香港交通並不發達,如居民需要往其他村落,或來往不同墟市進行買賣,都只能徒步行進,因此村民開闢出不少步行山徑,這些通道對在昔日的文化交流和商業活動中,扮演了重要角色。
In the early days, Hong Kong’s transportation system was not developed. If residents wanted to visit other villages or buy and sell items at markets, they could only travel by foot. Therefore, villagers established many new trails in the mountains. These passages played an essential role in cultural exchange and business activities.
根據古物古蹟辦事處的香港古道研究,許多位於低地的古道都是沒有鋪面的,只是沿山勢或農田的泥路。而沙頭角的通道泥土比較濕滑,所以以石砌道為主要組成部分。
According to a study on Old Trails in Hong Kong conducted by the Antiquities and Monuments Office, many ancient roads in low lying areas were unpaved. They were usually dirt roads along mountains or farmland. However, stone masonry was mainly used on the route at Sha Tau Kok, because its soil was relatively slippery.
今次導賞路線以苗三古道為骨幹,沿途經過多條客家舊村落,當中有些村落可追溯至清朝時期,歷史悠久,可讓你更了解傳統客家文化:
Our suggested route is primarily on the Miu San Ancient Trail, while passing many old Hakka villages along the way. Some of which even date back to the Qing dynasty. We wish to bring you the rich history and traditional culture of Hakka villages:
九担租村 Kau Tam Tso Village
是一條李姓及劉姓的客家村,有十多房屋。六十年代村中男丁多到英國謀生;七十年代只剩下六戶人家,及後也相繼遷往大埔居住。村內仍保留漂亮的樹林,彎彎的包圍著村子,是典型客家村的風水林布局。
Kau Tam Tso is a traditional Hakka village with around ten or more houses, belonging to decedents from the Lee and Lau families. In the 1960s, most of the male compatriots of the town moved to Britain; in the 1970s, only six households remained, and they later moved to Tai Po. The village still retains its beautiful forest, which surrounds it. It bears the typical feng shui forest layout of a Hakka village.
上、下苗田 Sheung Miu Tin, Ha Miu Tin
從前的上下苗田村約有80名村民,以務農為主要生計,可是此處經常有山豬出沒破壞農田,而且位處深山交通不便,因此村民都在60至70年代左右相繼遷出。80年代上苗田村遺址幾已無迹可尋,上苗田村之名也成歷史。
In the past, around 80 villagers dwelled at Sheung Miu Tin and Ha Miu Tin as farmers. However, due to wild boars frequently wreaking havoc to the crops and the lack of adequate transportation, the residents moved out in the 1960s and 1970s. In the 1980s, the site of Sheung Miu Tin has become ruins, and the village only serves as a chapter in Hong Kong’s history.
三椏村 Sam A Tsuen
在五、六十年代全盛時期有200多人居住,村民主要以捕魚及耕種為生。到六十年代後期,村中男丁多到荷蘭及英國謀生。現時仍有村民在假日經營士多,為行山人士提供補給。
More than 200 people lived in Sam A Tsuen at its peak in the 1950s and 1960s. Villagers mainly lived as fishermen or farmers. By the late 1960s, most men in the village moved to the Netherlands or Britain. At present, there are still many villagers operating stores, providing supplies for hikers on holidays and weekends.
荔枝窩 Lai Chi Wo
荔枝窩是擁有超過三百年歷史的客家圍村,村民主要姓曾和姓黃,1950年代全盛時期人口達500人。村內由九排村屋組成,村後是面積超過5公頃風水林,幸得村民積極保護,荔枝窩風水林一直保存良好,至今已成為擁有豐富動植物生態的樹林。
Lai Chi Wo is a Hakka walled village, with a history of more than 300 years. Members of the Tsang and Wong family are the main decedents of the village. The population reached 500 at its peak in the 1950s. The village is composed of nine rows of village houses. Behind the village is a Feng Shui Woodland covering an area of more than 5 hectares. Fortunately, the villagers actively protect it and Lai Chi Wo Feng Shui Woodland is well preserved till this day. The woodland has also become a forest with vibrant ecological plants and fauna.
Reference:
Study on Old Trails in Hong Kong Final Desk-top Study, Antiquities and Monuments Office, 2014
穿村: 鄉郊歷史傳聞與鄉情/ 梁煦華著,2001
《樂遊印洲塘》網站/ 沙頭角文化生態協會,https://dhtraveler.hk
《八仙腳下》/漁農自然護理署著,2004