Tea, music, theatrical entertainment, and the vibrant culture of Taiwanese Hakkas are beautifully intertwined, creating a rich tapestry of tradition and artistry.

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For generations, the Hakka community in northwestern Taiwan's MiaoLi and HsinChu counties has been deeply involved in the cultivation and craftsmanship of tea. When one envisions Taiwanese Hakka culture, the imagery of tea pickers meandering through rows of tea trees, their melodious voices carrying across neighboring hills, often comes to mind.

Over the past two centuries, these tea-picking songs have been cherished and preserved. They have evolved into stage musicals, developed into the Hakka Tea-Picking Opera 客家採茶戲, and ultimately transformed into the grandeur of the Hakka Grand Opera 客家大戲.

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At the heart of this remarkable tradition stands the esteemed Rom Shing Hakka Opera Troupe, the epitome of Hakka theatrical excellence in Taiwan. Founded in 1987 by the renowned Hakka musician Prof. Cheng, Rom-Shing, this troupe perpetuates the authentic Hakka Tea-Picking Opera legacy. Accompanied by the enchanting melodies of Hakka BA YIN music 客家八音, the actors skillfully weave together the tea-picking songs using the intricate and evocative traditional technique known as the "nine tones and eighteen tunes" 九腔十八調.

 

In the performances of Rom Shing Hakka Opera Troupe, one can witness the harmonious fusion of tea, music, and theater as they bring to life the cultural essence and profound heritage of the Taiwanese Hakka community.