Liumin quan, rare Hakka art from Taiwan

The Hakkas ethnically belong to Han Chinese majority, spread in provincial areas of Guangdong, Fujian, Jiangxi, Guangxi, Sichuan, Hunan, Zhejiang, Hainan and Guizhou. The Hakkas originated from relatively northern provinces particularly Henan and Hubei. In a series of migrations, they moved and settled in their present areas in Southern China, and from there, substantial numbers migrated overseas to various countries throughout the world.  Chinese characters for Hakka (客家) literally mean "guest families". Unlike other Han Chinese subgroups, the Hakkas are not named after a geographical region, a province, county or city, in China.

 Throughout history Hakkas have been frequently subjected to hatred and discrimination by other Chinese ethnic groups that they have interacted with. These usually ended up with various forms of retaliation by other ethnic groups ranging from minor verbal insults to committing genocides against the Hakkas.

The Hakkas came to Taiwan quite early. The German historian Riess studied Dutch historical sources and found that during Dutch rule over  Taiwan Hakkas were used as a translators in communication with the aboriginal tribes. After Koshinga defeated the Dutch Hakkas gradually became minority to Hoklo people from Fujian province. There was a great deal of animosity between these ethnic groups and Hakkas were gradually pushed to the mountain region of Taiwan where they stayed more or less isolated from the rest of the island. Taiwanese mountain region is not easily accessible and that was even more true in the past and that is the main reason why Hakka people chose to live there. While they were pretty safe from other Chinese Han ethnic groups, they had constant friction with aboriginal tribes that suffer similar fate as Hakkas and were also pushed in the mountains.  Today Hakka people comprise about 15 to 20% of the population of Taiwan and form the second-largest ethnic group on the island. They are descended largely from Hakka who migrated from southern and northern Guangdong.

Being under constant threat of attack Hakkas brought and further develop their unique martial styles. One of these styles, a rare form of Hakka boxing that can be found only in Taiwan is Liumin quan.

Traveling a lot and in constant fighting with vast array of enemies Hakka people experienced firsthand large numbers of different fighting styles and techniques. Based on that experience they formed their own style and training approach. In Liumin quan accent is put on practicality and reality, while forms are of secondary importance. Great emphasis is put on body conditioning and physical strength. This style was made for selfdefnse and it doesn’t suffer from unnecessary moves, acrobatics, or visually pleasing and attractive forms. There is a saying that defines Liumin quan fighting approach which can be translated as “If you can’t defeat enemy in three moves, run”. This style teaches that fight should be ended quickly, if opponent can’t be defeated with first three moves it means he is a good fighter and there is a great chance that fight will not end as expected.

 Liumin quan indeed performed very well in full contact competitions. Proponents of this style won 4th Taiwan Zhengzheng Cup Championship in 1978, and  also won the gold medal in the first free fight World Cup  in Beijing. Chinese Marine Corps Special Service Team and other public security units have hired masters of Liumin Boxing to train them. Within Hakka community this style is known as a "fist of courage" .