In addition to worshiping, temples serve three additional purposes:
1. As a regular meeting place for village and village alliance discussions, negotiations and arbitrations, and as a symbol of unity.
Some temples were only worshipped by one village originally, yet they evolved to become the core temple of the whole village alliance after the formation of alliances.
If there were inter-village disputes that need to be settled by the government, the government’s rule would also be carved into stone tablets and displayed in the temple, so to avoid further troubles. Such tablet can be found in Kat O Tin Hau Temple.
In addition, Shan Tsui Hip Tin Temple also has a tablet documenting the names of contributors who donated to the temple for temple reconstruction. There are more than a thousand names on the tablet, many of which names of villagers who were working in different parts of the world.
2. Village Schools
- The side hall of the Kat O Tin Hau Temple was once used as a classroom, which is now used as the Kat O Story Gallery.
- The Kuk Po Hip Tin Temple is a special case. In 1905, the temple was located at a corner of Lo Wai. (…) In the 1930s, a special location was saved for the temple when Kai Choi School was built by communists in exile and the school’s first principal, Song Qing1. In its historical context, it is believed that Song wanted to use the worship of Duke Guan to cultivate patriotism in his students. Defense features are integrated in the school design, such as putlog holes. An escape route is also integrated into the roof.
3. Overnight Stays
- Artists performing in Kuk Po would stay overnight in the Hip Tin Temple.
- There were also martial arts masters staying overnight at the Ah Ma Wat Tin Hau Temple.
- The Wu Shek Kok Tin Hau Temple is located next to the pier. In the past, there is only one boat heading to Yan Tian per day. Passengers could stay overnight in the Tin Hau temple to wait for the boat to arrive.
｜Suzume