Ngau Shi Wu village (牛屎湖) was founded by three Tsang brothers, who were original inhabitants of Lai Chi Wo (荔枝窩), over a hundred years ago. The establishment of this new village was necessitated by an increase in the population of the original village. During its heyday, the village housed over a hundred people, with agriculture and fishing as their main source of living. As a branch of the Tsang Clan, they share the same ancestral hall with the Tsang Clan in Lai Chi Wo. Due to its remote location, villagers relied mainly on boats for transportation. Only one boat was scheduled daily, and the travelling time to Sha Tau Kok was approximately fifty minutes. In March 1965, after a shipwreck accident and the gradual decline of agriculture and fishing, the eight families residing in Ngau Shi Wu decided to relocate to Shau Tau Kok (沙頭角). [1]
Today, Ngau Shi Wu is hidden amidst dense vines, with all houses collapsed and laid in ruins. However, several prominent and unique wine-cooking stoves have remained, paired with a clear stream and traces of irrigation facilities developed for farming. These historical remnants have attracted numerous hiking enthusiasts. [2]
There are two theories regarding the origin of the village’s name, Ngau Shi Wu:
1. Sai Lau Kong (西流江) was originally named ‘Sai Ngau Tou Kong’ (犀牛頭崗; ‘Sai Nagu Tou’ means the head of a Rhino). The ‘head’ of the ‘rhino’ faces Kat O (吉澳), and the ‘body’ of the ‘rhino’ is the hill behind Sai Lau Kong and Ngau Shi Wu, with its ‘tail’ hanging behind. As an excellent fertilizer for farmers, cow dung symbolizes wealth, hence the name Ngau Shi Wu (‘Ngau Shi’ means cow dung). Villagers believed naming the village after it would bring them good fortune. [3]
2. The village overlooks a low-lying field by the sea, resembling a lake, hence originally named ‘Ngau Chi Wu’ (literally ‘cow pond lake’). According to the villagers, their ancestors’ accents confused visiting officials in such that they misheard the name of the village as Ngau Shi Wu. The name Ngau Shi Wu has been adopted ever since. [4]
Sources
[1] The Kung Sheung Daily News, 1965-03-23; Wah Kiu Yat Po, 1965-03-07
[2] Sha Tou Kok Hing Chun Yeuk Taai Ping Ching Jiu: Commemorative Special Edition. (2019). Sha Tou Kok Hing Chun Yeuk Taai Ping Ching Jiu Joint Committee.
[3] Chu, Wai-dak. (1998). “Old appearances and new looks of Hong Kong” (舊貌新顔話香江). Ming Pao Publishing.
[4] ‘Hing Chun Yeuk’ in Sha Tou Kok ── A Journey of Cultural Conservation webpage.
