Beating petty person : a popular intangible cultural heritage that is endangered

Abstract

Beating Petty Person is a popular practice that is often being heard and promoted in Hong Kong during springtime. It is also an Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) that has been inscribed into the First Intangible Cultural Heritage Inventory of Hong Kong under the domain of “Social Practices, Rituals and Festive Events”. Nevertheless, Beating Petty Person is apparently facing threats and is weakening over time. In other words, it is a popular ICH that is endangered. Currently, other than being identified as an ICH, there is no other measure to reverse its threats and safeguard Beating Petty Person. Through understanding the significance and threats faced by Beating Petty Person, it is hoped to find the answers to why, what, and how to safeguard Beating Petty Person as an ICH in Hong Kong. Beating Petty Person under Canal Road Flyover is the research focus of this paper. It is not merely a famous location for Beating Petty Person, but also a location with strong Fengshui setting. Through site observation, face-to-face interviews and questionnaires with practitioners and recipients of Beating Petty Person under the Flyover, Fengshui setting of Beating Petty Person is an expressive characteristic embeds in entire practice, and illustrates their cultural identities. Yet, Government picked on the illegal occupation and unhygienic street condition under the Flyover, and proposed to clear and relocate Beating Petty Person. Clearance and relocation could have weakened Beating Petty Person and its transmission if this proposed measure was implemented. After understanding why and what have characterised and threatened Beating Petty Person as ICH, this paper summarizes several safeguarding measures to discuss on how Beating Petty Person and other ICH can be safeguarded as a living heritage of Hong Kong.