RED BOAT TROUPES AND CANTONESE ... - University of Georgia

the river is shallow, these flat bottom boats were appropriate. With props, scenery,
boxes, people in the opera troupes, these boats were most suitable for travelling. 48
The above-mentioned origin for the name hung sun, 49 (red boat) may not be for celebration.
Wong Toa 50 suggested five other possible explanations, listed as follows:
a) During the Qing Dynasty, Chinese naval boats used for regulating marine traffic and
customs inspection were called hung sun.
b) Some scholars believe that the boat used by the naval admiral was called hung sun.
c) The opera boats were painted red to attract attention.
d) The Chinese government stipulated that boats or ships from different provinces should
be distinguished by their unique colors. Red was the designated color for the province of
Guangdong.
e) In a failed attempt to overthrow the Qing Dynasty, members of the opera troupes
joined the uprising of the Tai Ping Kingdom of Heavenly Peace. During their clash with
the government, troupe members wore their opera costumes. Rebels not from the troupes
simply put on a red headband for identification. The reason for choosing red was because
red (hung) sounds identical to the last name of the leader of the rebellion, Hung Sau
Tsuen.
Any from the five reasons, or a combination of a few of them, might be how the name emerged.
People who were born after WWII seldom hear the term “red boat.” And yet, it is not too
long ago that Red Boats Troupes traveled the estuary and provided entertainment for thousands.
During the flourishing years, a renowned troupe could be solidly booked for eight or nine years.
48 Wong, Toa, Hung sun time bai, 3.
49 Hung means red and sun means boat
50 Wong, Toa, Hung sun time bai, 4-5.
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