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With the goal to understand the ancestral and ethnic distribution among Xiangshan District, the researcher of this study transcribed Household Registration Cancellation Transcripts, conducted interview surveys on the local clans, and used the data sampled from local clans to present the ethnic spatial distribution. The researcher also collected the data on the ancestral homeland of the clans, interviewed local elders, and conducted field surveys researching the ancestral homeland etched on the tombstones to trace the ancestral and ethnic background of the local clans. Xiangshan District can be divided into northern and southern regions according to the terrain and the humanities and historical development. Northern Xiangshan enjoys a vast plain, making it easier for large settlements to take place. More than 60% of the clans here have Jinjiang ancestry, indicating an agglomeration based on the ancestral homeland. In terms of southern Xiangshan, although the ancestral origin of most of the clans is Huian, the development of the consanguineous settlements is not that agglomerated comparing to northern Xiangshan. Because the hinterland narrows at southern and eastern Xiangshan District, and the settlements here happen relatively late comparing to other regions, not only the industrial development here has been restricted, but the forming of the consanguineous settlements has been impacted as well. When using the 20 m contour line for demarcation, clans living at coastal Xiangshan are mainly Minnan ethnic groups from Quanzhou. On the other hand, clans living at the hills mainly consist of people with ancestors from Quanzhou Prefecture and Minnan ethnic groups from Quanzhou. Regarding the professions of residents living in Xiangshan District during the Japanese Colonial Era and their relations with the terrain, both northern and southern Xiangshan have had more Coolies, suggesting the land had low carrying capacity or the local population was oversaturated at that time. As the hinterland of Xiangshan District is not vast, the land features have led to a “semi fishing and farming” living style. Moreover, since those who live by the sea rely on the sea, both oyster farming and traditional coastal fishery industry, Taiwanese Beach Seine, have developed at this place. In addition to the fishery industry, this place also forms diverse regional economic activities such as solar salt, commercial activities, and other labor work. The regional organizations formed based on religious beliefs have a significant impact on the Han Chinese settlements. For instance, the God King Guangze worshiped at Weiling Temple in this District, the offering celebration for the Qing Royal Lord held taking turns by four local villages, and the Zhongyuan Festival held with a taking-turn system by the Yang Clan from Cangcen are all an epitome of the original living styles and custom religions of settlers from Quanzhou Prefecture. On the other hand, the founding of Fulong Temple in Zhuweizai indicates the harmonious relations between the Minnan and Hakka ethnic groups.
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