CHINA DAILY Lan Honglin, head of the Lan Family Association in Zhangpu, Fujian Compiling genealogies and building ancestral temples are Chinese traditions. They connect people who have the same family roots and promote their sense of belonging. Genealogies, or family trees, are the best resources for discovering family histories, because they can answer the philosophical question of where we come from. To some extent, genealogies are like identity cards for families. They contain excellent information, including the names and deeds of each generation. One significant practical function of genealogies is to help those who have moved away from their hometowns to trace their roots. Every family establishes a temple where their ancestors are enshrined and worshipped. Traditionally, when a family member dies, a tablet that embodies his or her spirit is made and placed in the temple Most people in Zhangpu village, Nantou, Taiwan, have the Lan surname. Their ancestors were soldiers from Zhangpu, a county in Zhangzhou, Fujian province. During the Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911), three generals - all members of the Lan family in Zhangpu - were sent by emperors successively to suppress rebellions on Taiwan. Most of the soldiers who accompanied the generals were also members of the Lan family. When the fighting ended, many stayed on the island because the land was fertile but the population was small. About 56,000 people on Taiwan are descendants of the original Lan family. They are proud of their family histories and help each other. In the 1980s, they started returning to Zhangpu and the ancestral temple. They bring their genealogies and ancestral tablets so they understand which generation they are. No matter what job they do, whether they are rich or poor, successful or not, when they visit the temple they all kneel and pray before their ancestors and they recite the family maxims that have been passed down for centuries. Lan Honglin spoke with Zhang Yi. wellies and wristbandscustom silicone wristbandsrubber wristbands custom cheaplivestrong braceletflash drive wristbandcustomise fidget spinner
Many parents have noticed positive changes in their children after they attended Pan's classes. "My son started to greet everyone he met politely, and his grades went up," said Reyihangul Yassen, 45. Her son Kawusab Ashan, 8, has been receiving tutoring from Pan for a year and a half. Reyihangul runs a small grocery store with her husband. All parents in the neighborhood know about Pan and trust her, she said. "Sometimes we can only pick up Kawusab from Pan's after the shop closes at midnight. She never complains and is always very supportive," Reyihangul said. "The classroom, which doesn't have nice desks and chairs like those in my school, is like a second home for me. Grandma Pan truly cares about us," Kawusab said. Pan is currently tutoring more than 30 children between age 6 and 11. She knows all their names, what grade they are in and what their parents do. She also enjoys visits from former students. Many of them have attended and some have graduated from universities. In July, Abubilajan Wushor, a former student of Pan who is attending the University of South China in Hunan province, returned to Shule during summer vacation. He offered to teach the children English. "It's the least I can do. It is great to be in the same classroom with Pan again," he said. For Pan, reunions are sweet. "I feel empty without the children. They are a part of my family," she said.
