Five Historic Migrations (五次大遷徙)
Tracing the journey of the "Guest People" from Central China to the Global Diaspora
The Hakka identity is fundamentally defined by movement and resilience. Unlike many other Han Chinese subgroups named after specific provinces or regions, the term Hakka (客家) means "Guest Families"—a historical designation for settlers who preserved their northern traditions while adapting to new lands.
Timeline of the Five Migrations
1. First Migration (Western Jin Dynasty | 304–439 AD)
Driven by northern nomadic invasions, imperial court members and civilian families fled south across the Yellow River into Henan, Anhui, and Jiangxi.
2. Second Migration (Tang & Song Dynasties | 875–960 AD)
Peasant uprisings (Huang Chao Rebellion) forced families further south into the mountainous border regions of Jiangxi, Fujian, and Guangdong.
3. Third Migration (Southern Song to Ming | 1127–1644 AD)
The Mongol invasion pushed communities deeper into northeastern Guangdong (Meizhou/Jiaying Prefecture), establishing Meizhou as the ultimate ancestral Hakka capital.
4. Fourth Migration (Qing Dynasty | 1644–1911 AD)
Population pressure led to resettlements in Sichuan, Guangxi, Taiwan, and coastal areas, often leading to territorial conflicts (Punti-Hakka Clan Wars).
5. Fifth Migration (Late 19th Century – Present)
Global movement across Southeast Asia, the Caribbean (Jamaica, Trinidad, Guyana), Mauritius, India, and eventually to Canada and the Greater Toronto Area.
Key Historical Hubs
- 📍 Ancestral Cradle: Central Plains (中原)
- 📍 Capital of Hakka: Meizhou, Guangdong (梅州)
- 📍 Cultural Centers: Ganzhou (Jiangxi), Longyan (Fujian)
- 🇨🇦 Canadian Heritage: THHA Alliance Member Associations