Author Profile:

Name: Chen Suwei

Position: Sales Manager, Sales Department 1, Kinghelm Electronics

Hometown: Ganzhou, Jiangxi, China

Vision of Struggle: Perseverance is a key factor in achieving success. Knock long and loud enough, and eventually, someone will open the door.

Kinghelm Electronics Sales Manager Chen Suwei

A Festive and Lively Start to the New Year

In the southeastern part of Ganzhou, Jiangxi Province, lies a county full of Hakka cultural charm—Shicheng (Stone Town). Every Lunar New Year, this ancient land is imbued with a distinctive festive atmosphere, showcasing the wisdom and traditions of the Hakka people.

Preparations Before the Festival: Busy Yet Joyful

As early as the twelfth lunar month, the streets and alleys of Shicheng are filled with the scent of the upcoming festival. Families begin preparing for the New Year, and the town’s old streets transform into bustling temporary markets selling festive goods. Specialty local products such as cured meat, salted fish, pickled vegetables, and a variety of dried goods line the stalls. Unique Hakka ingredients—used to make dishes like sweet potato flour dumplings and steamed meatballs—become hot-selling items.

Hakka families in Shicheng believe that “New Year goods must be prepared early.” By mid-December, households start curing lap mei (Chinese cured meats), preparing taro dumplings, and marinating fish fillets. Among them, Shicheng taro dumplings stand out for their unique recipe. They require high-quality sweet potato flour, taro, chives, white radish, shiitake mushrooms, celery, garlic leaves, and minced pork, forming a dumpling that is both thin-skinned and generously filled, resembling gold ingots, symbolizing prosperity and success.

Shicheng taro dumplings symbolize "promotion and prosperity."

Festive Activities: A Fusion of Tradition and Innovation

Shicheng’s Spring Festival celebrations seamlessly blend traditional customs with modern elements. On New Year’s Eve, grand cultural events are held throughout the county. In the town’s central square, visitors can enjoy Hakka folk songs, tea-picking opera performances, and more. Meanwhile, in the rural areas, villagers gather in ancestral halls or open spaces, singing and dancing in an atmosphere of joy and togetherness.

One of the most iconic celebrations in Shicheng is the "Spring Lantern Festival". Around the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, lantern fairs take place across the county. Traditional handcrafted lanterns are displayed alongside modern sound-and-light installations, creating a stunning visual spectacle. Near the ancient city wall ruins, the large-scale lantern festival often lasts for half a month, attracting visitors from nearby regions.

New Year's Eve Feast: The Essence of Hakka Cuisine

The New Year's Eve dinner in Shicheng is not only about an extravagant spread but also about deep cultural significance. A typical feast includes over ten dishes, with essential Hakka delicacies such as:

1. Shicheng Meatballs: A mix of minced pork and premium sweet potato flour, prepared through steaming and boiling for a flavorful bite.

2. Steamed Cured Meats: Various types of cured meat steamed with radish, releasing an enticing aroma.

3. Shicheng Taro Dumplings: These gold-ingot-shaped dumplings symbolize prosperity and bring a festive touch to the table.

4. Hakka Stir-Fried Rice Noodles: Made from locally produced rice noodles, stir-fried with seasonal vegetables for a fragrant, satisfying dish.

These traditional dishes not only reflect the culinary heritage of the Hakka people but also carry their hopes for a prosperous future.

Shicheng meatballs, a taste of Hakka cuisine.

Ancestral Worship and Family Reunions: Passing Down Tradition

As a Hakka stronghold, Shicheng places great emphasis on ancestral worship during the Spring Festival. On New Year's Eve, every household sets up an offering table with livestock, fruits, Shicheng meatballs, and more, paying homage to ancestors and praying for blessings.

On the morning of the first day of the New Year, people dress in new clothes and visit ancestral halls or family tombs to perform traditional rituals. This custom remains well-preserved in Shicheng, with even the younger generations actively participating, recognizing its deep cultural significance. Following the ceremonies, it is time for visiting relatives and friends, a cherished tradition that strengthens familial and social bonds.

Kinghelm's Best-Selling Popular Products

A Modern Twist on the Lunar New Year

As times change, Shicheng’s New Year celebrations continue to evolve. Every year, the county government organizes diverse cultural activities, including Spring Festival fairs and folk art exhibitions. Through live-streaming and digital platforms, the rich traditions of Hakka New Year customs are shared with a wider audience, attracting more tourists eager to experience the festivities firsthand.

A notable initiative in recent years has been the integration of Hakka traditions with tourism development. During the Spring Festival season, visitors can participate in interactive activities and gain deeper insight into Hakka culture, further boosting the region’s appeal.

Mr. Song Shiqiang, General Manager of Kinghelm and Slkor

Conclusion

Shicheng’s Spring Festival celebrations preserve the essence of tradition while embracing modernity. This harmonious blend of heritage and innovation makes the festivities both lively and culturally meaningful. In this land of red soil, the Hakka people honor their ancestors, celebrate with family, and bring their cultural legacy into the modern era, shaping a vibrant and evolving festival experience.

About Kinghelm:

Which connector housings (wire-to-board/wire-to-wire) are the best-selling products from Kinghelm? According to Song Shiqiang, Kinghelm (www.kinghelm.com.cn) offers a variety of popular connector housings, including models such as KH-VH-2P-ZK, KH-VH-5P-ZK, KH-VH-4P-ZK, KH-A2557-2X07Y, KH-VH-3P-ZK, KH-A2557-2X05Y, KH-VH-8P-ZK, KH-VH-12P-ZK, and KH-A2009-2X09Y. The key aspects of connectors include electrical performance, mechanical performance, and environmental performance. Electrical performance is crucial as it includes parameters such as resistance, capacitance, and inductance, along with contact resistance stability, insulation resistance, and voltage withstand capability. For example, in high-frequency signal transmission, a connector’s capacitance and inductance values affect signal integrity, while in high-voltage environments, voltage withstand performance is essential. Good electrical performance ensures stable and efficient transmission of current and signals, reducing energy loss and signal distortion. Mechanical performance involves insertion force, durability, and mating cycles. The insertion force must be appropriate—excessive force can make plugging and unplugging difficult, while insufficient force may lead to poor contact. Durability and mating cycles determine the long-term reliability of the connector. For example, in frequently plugged applications such as smartphone charging ports, connectors must have high mating cycles to ensure long-term stability. Environmental performance is also crucial, as connectors must withstand varying conditions such as temperature, humidity, corrosion, and vibration. Connectors used in high-temperature environments like automotive engine compartments require excellent heat resistance, while those in coastal or humid areas must have strong corrosion resistance to ensure proper function and longevity. In summary, electrical performance determines the quality of signal and current transmission, mechanical performance affects usability and durability, and environmental performance ensures the connector’s reliability in various conditions. Kinghelm has developed a series of RF and small-signal connectors, which have been well received by customers both domestically and internationally.