The Search for New Aggregate Sources in Hong Kong

A genealogy of gangs in Hong Kong

“…Triads have a long history, with historians noting the rise of secret societies attempting to preserve or restore Chinese rule as early as the Han Dynasty (A.D. 1-6) and later with the Ming Dynasty (1368 to 1644 A.D.) (Morgan, 2000). More often, however, their origins are dated around the 1670s (Chan, 1979; see also Bolton et al, 1996). The term "Triad", also known as the "Three United Society" (Chu, 2000), was founded at Tiandihui around the Three Rivers.…”

“…The organization was hierarchical in organisation, including the use of names such as "Dragon Head" or "First Route Marshall" as the head of the society, the "White Paper Fan" as the administrative manager, and the "Straw Sandal" as the chief messenger/liaison officer among many other names for other positions (Bolton, Hutton, Pau-fuk, 1996: 263). As Chan (1979) elaborates, Chinese triads stemmed from patriotic secret societies that were "closely guarded" and, members were "punished for breaking an oath of silence" through cruel punishment and even the risk of death.…”

“…It was at this time that Chinese gangs, often affiliated with martial arts clubs and Tongs (Chinese mutual aid societies), came to be a fixture of New York's and San Francisco's Chinatowns (Joe, 1994;Zhang and Chin, 2003). In Southeast Asia, North America, and Europe, Chinese 'Tongs' emerged as mutual aid societies to provide welfare, support, and social control for local Chinese residents (Chu 2000;Chan 1979). Today, although triad members have distinct affiliations to a particular society, they nevertheless believe they are part of the "universal triad brotherhood" who are "under the same roof of the Hung Family" in protection of each other (Chu, 2000).…”

“…For example, one claimed that he joined the Triad because "I feel obliged to join the Triad because I owed them, I was protected from them when I needed it." One claimed that his dai lo, or big brother, also provided him with a place to stay overnight when he was involved in a family conflict and left home (Chan 1979). Therefore, in addition to exclusive gang and/or Triad activities that the dai lo might involve one with, the institution also represents a source of refuge outside of home when many become adrift.…”