Upper and Lower Lascar Row
Encyclopedia
Lascar Row is located at Sheung Wan, the Central and Western District, which is between the Hollywood Road and the Queen's Road Central.The official name should be Upper Lascar Row
. The street name "Upper Street" is very special, but in fact, there is another "Lower Street" called Lower Lascar Row. It is neither a road nor a shopping place. After the redevelopment by the Hong Kong Government, a majority part of Lower Lascar Street has been redesigned as a street used by vehicular traffic, and now it is renamed as Lok Ku Road.
In the community of Indian cluster, they formed a mini market, which provides a place for Indians to trade there at ease. Since 1920, it has developed as a market for antiques and old goods transaction time by time, there are many antiques, obsoleted electronical appliances being sold. Therefore, it has become a unique area for people to find gems and valuable products. And hence it is called as "antiques street" along with the Hollywood Road
.
For the other name "cat street"(貓街), as some of the shops sell stolen goods, which they are called as "mouse goods" (老鼠貨 in Chinese). The prices are relatively lower, this attracts many people to shop in this area. For those who buy these goods, they choose their favourite products stealthily along the street, as if they are acting like cats, which ready to catch mouse. Hence, foreigners called this street as "Cat Street"
(visitors can go upstairs to Man Mo Miu at Hollywood Road or go downstairs to have shopping at Western Market)
In the historical urban in Macau, there is the Macau Moorish Barracks were originally named "Quartel dos Mouros" in Portuguese. Today it is called "Edificao da Capitania dos Portos"(摩囉兵營/摩爾人兵營). Mouros is the English word "Moors", which means the policemen who came to Macau from Portuguese colony. Therefore, Moors is a general term that including North Africans, Poles, Indians and Arabians, etc.
The second instance is from Hong Kong. In Tsim Sha Tsui, there is the historic blocks S61 and S62 of the former Whitfield Barracks at Kowloon Park. They have another name "Moors Soldiers Barracks"(摩囉兵營). In other words, it is not a new thing to use Moors to describe Indians, at least, in the area of Hong Kong and Macau there is a saying like this.
Besides, another nickname for Indians is 「阿差」, it is generated from the Indian word "Achcha". In English, it means "Yes". Then, the words 「摩囉」(Morra) and 「阿差」(Achcha) integrated together, now we have the term 「摩囉差」in Cantonese. When Hong Kong people say this term in an unpleasant way, it sounds like they are degrading Indians. No matter why the Hong Kong government has to set stipulation in order to prohibit the public to use 「阿差」 to describe Indians. It is now included in the discrimination ordiance.
In fact, there is a connection between the Upper Lascar Row and the Indians. If we trace back to early time in Hong Kong, there was a group of Indian policemen garrisoned in Hong Kong. The structure of policemen is divided in four parts: Team A is Europeans, Team B is Indians, Team C is mainly consisted by local Hong Kong people. Team D members mostly come from Shan Tung in Mainland China. Gradually, it form a small community for Indians and keep developing til nowadays.
There is a wide variety of choices for you to search. For example, copper mirror, electrical fans produced ages ago, gems and jades, watches, ancient coins, vasts from qing dynasty, stamps, newspaper, calendar etc. Sometimes you can even get a cheaper price if you are willing to negotiate with the retailers. After you have visited the Upper Lascar Row, it is accessible to other spots easily, like the Man Mo Miu at Hollywood Road, it just takes a minute walk to reach there. In addition, it is also convenient to walk down along the long stairs which pass through Quenn's Road Central, Bonham Strand and Morrison St, then you can go to the Wing Lok Street to buy ginseng and birdnest souvenir, another choice is to go further and have a pleasant shopping at the Western Market.
In 2010, 8 district officers from the central and western district expressed their discontent for Southern Asians. They claimed that the term 「摩羅」in cantonese is an insultation for Indians; therefore, they request the Hong Kong government to examine this topic once again, which they hope to change all the street name which titled as 「摩羅」. However, the Lands Department rejected the requiry because it did not involve any unfavourable meaning which intends to oppress those Southern Asians. Some officers pointed out that this incident has reflected that the government does not face the discrimination phenomenon against ethical minority.
The Democratic Party crtisized the government did not consider the feelings of those from Southern Asia. As they think that this term is a nickname that Hong Kong people have used to tease the Southern Asians, describing them as uncivilised, uneducated and low-income-level group. Yet, the government explained that if they change the name, the historical value and meaning will be eliminated. They also insisted that the term "Mouro" is neutral, it is unnecessary to take this action.
Other opinion addresses the problem of inconvenience. As the street "Upper Lascar Row" has been used for about a hundred year. Once the name is changed, residential citizens have to spend time to adapt the new conditions, for example, it affects the postal addresses and medical records up to approximately one hundred thousand people. Some of them suggest that the government should consult the public first to appraise the feasibility before taking this into practice.
, there are several transportation available as the Lascar Street is just in front of the main road at the Queen's Road Central
Upper Lascar Row
Upper Lascar Row, better known as Cat Street , is a narrow alley in Mid Levels, Hong Kong that runs parallel to Hollywood Road on the north side. It is a straight alley measuring over 509 feet. "Lascars" were seamen from South Asia, and particularly from the Indian subcontinent, who frequented the...
. The street name "Upper Street" is very special, but in fact, there is another "Lower Street" called Lower Lascar Row. It is neither a road nor a shopping place. After the redevelopment by the Hong Kong Government, a majority part of Lower Lascar Street has been redesigned as a street used by vehicular traffic, and now it is renamed as Lok Ku Road.
Meaning
The word "摩囉"(cantonese pronunciation) is not included in the Chinese dictionary. To find its meaning, it is necessary to search from its English name "Lascar". "Lascar" is cited from the Polish word "Lashkar", which means Indian sailors specifically, and Indians in general.So-called "摩囉" is changed from another word Morramen, i.e. Muslims who traded in China from the Middle East. Due to the simplification of pronunciation, Morranmen is gradually read as "Morra". There is a reason why it is called "row" but not "street". Row means a range of houses. As mentioned before, Lascar is defined as the soldiers from Indians. Explicityly, this street name entirely explain that place was the accommodation region for Indian soldiers. This is the origin of the English and Chinese name of this street.The origins of other names
"Antiques Street"="Lascar Street"="Cat Street"In the community of Indian cluster, they formed a mini market, which provides a place for Indians to trade there at ease. Since 1920, it has developed as a market for antiques and old goods transaction time by time, there are many antiques, obsoleted electronical appliances being sold. Therefore, it has become a unique area for people to find gems and valuable products. And hence it is called as "antiques street" along with the Hollywood Road
Hollywood Road
Hollywood Road is a street in Central and Sheung Wan, on Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong.Hollywood Road is filled with trinket and antique shops of all sorts: from Chinese furniture to porcelain ware, from Buddha sculptures to Tibetan rugs, from Japanese netsukes to Coromandel screens, from Ming...
.
For the other name "cat street"(貓街), as some of the shops sell stolen goods, which they are called as "mouse goods" (老鼠貨 in Chinese). The prices are relatively lower, this attracts many people to shop in this area. For those who buy these goods, they choose their favourite products stealthily along the street, as if they are acting like cats, which ready to catch mouse. Hence, foreigners called this street as "Cat Street"
Features
- One of the favourite sights for tourists
- Antiques collection place
- Long history(>100 years)
- The integration of western and oriental aritecture
- The blending of modern and ancient society
- Centre of Sheung Wan
- Accessibility (easy to get to there)
- Convenience
(visitors can go upstairs to Man Mo Miu at Hollywood Road or go downstairs to have shopping at Western Market)
- A landmark in Sheung Wan
History
In Chinese, it is common to use "摩囉" to distribe Indians. At the beginning, it did not contain any derogatory sense. There are two examples to illustrate this point:In the historical urban in Macau, there is the Macau Moorish Barracks were originally named "Quartel dos Mouros" in Portuguese. Today it is called "Edificao da Capitania dos Portos"(摩囉兵營/摩爾人兵營). Mouros is the English word "Moors", which means the policemen who came to Macau from Portuguese colony. Therefore, Moors is a general term that including North Africans, Poles, Indians and Arabians, etc.
The second instance is from Hong Kong. In Tsim Sha Tsui, there is the historic blocks S61 and S62 of the former Whitfield Barracks at Kowloon Park. They have another name "Moors Soldiers Barracks"(摩囉兵營). In other words, it is not a new thing to use Moors to describe Indians, at least, in the area of Hong Kong and Macau there is a saying like this.
Besides, another nickname for Indians is 「阿差」, it is generated from the Indian word "Achcha". In English, it means "Yes". Then, the words 「摩囉」(Morra) and 「阿差」(Achcha) integrated together, now we have the term 「摩囉差」in Cantonese. When Hong Kong people say this term in an unpleasant way, it sounds like they are degrading Indians. No matter why the Hong Kong government has to set stipulation in order to prohibit the public to use 「阿差」 to describe Indians. It is now included in the discrimination ordiance.
In fact, there is a connection between the Upper Lascar Row and the Indians. If we trace back to early time in Hong Kong, there was a group of Indian policemen garrisoned in Hong Kong. The structure of policemen is divided in four parts: Team A is Europeans, Team B is Indians, Team C is mainly consisted by local Hong Kong people. Team D members mostly come from Shan Tung in Mainland China. Gradually, it form a small community for Indians and keep developing til nowadays.
Shops and products
Lascar Row is famous and lovable sights in Sheung Wan. Hollywood Road and Upper Lascar Row are both called as "antiques street"(古董街). This combination is appealing to many tourists to visit. If you walk along the street, you will feel like you have entered an amazing world. This street is full of mystery and oriental atmosphere.There is a wide variety of choices for you to search. For example, copper mirror, electrical fans produced ages ago, gems and jades, watches, ancient coins, vasts from qing dynasty, stamps, newspaper, calendar etc. Sometimes you can even get a cheaper price if you are willing to negotiate with the retailers. After you have visited the Upper Lascar Row, it is accessible to other spots easily, like the Man Mo Miu at Hollywood Road, it just takes a minute walk to reach there. In addition, it is also convenient to walk down along the long stairs which pass through Quenn's Road Central, Bonham Strand and Morrison St, then you can go to the Wing Lok Street to buy ginseng and birdnest souvenir, another choice is to go further and have a pleasant shopping at the Western Market.
Events
Rename incidentIn 2010, 8 district officers from the central and western district expressed their discontent for Southern Asians. They claimed that the term 「摩羅」in cantonese is an insultation for Indians; therefore, they request the Hong Kong government to examine this topic once again, which they hope to change all the street name which titled as 「摩羅」. However, the Lands Department rejected the requiry because it did not involve any unfavourable meaning which intends to oppress those Southern Asians. Some officers pointed out that this incident has reflected that the government does not face the discrimination phenomenon against ethical minority.
The Democratic Party crtisized the government did not consider the feelings of those from Southern Asia. As they think that this term is a nickname that Hong Kong people have used to tease the Southern Asians, describing them as uncivilised, uneducated and low-income-level group. Yet, the government explained that if they change the name, the historical value and meaning will be eliminated. They also insisted that the term "Mouro" is neutral, it is unnecessary to take this action.
Other opinion addresses the problem of inconvenience. As the street "Upper Lascar Row" has been used for about a hundred year. Once the name is changed, residential citizens have to spend time to adapt the new conditions, for example, it affects the postal addresses and medical records up to approximately one hundred thousand people. Some of them suggest that the government should consult the public first to appraise the feasibility before taking this into practice.
Streets besides Larscar Row
- Hollywood RoadHollywood RoadHollywood Road is a street in Central and Sheung Wan, on Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong.Hollywood Road is filled with trinket and antique shops of all sorts: from Chinese furniture to porcelain ware, from Buddha sculptures to Tibetan rugs, from Japanese netsukes to Coromandel screens, from Ming...
- Queen's Road Central
- Water Lane
- Tung Street
- Morrison Street
- Jervois StreetJervois StreetJervois Street, is a street in Sheung Wan of Hong Kong Island. On December 28, 1851, there was a fire broke out and burned down Sheungwan Market and hundreds of Chinese houses all around it. 30 people killed. The fire led to the redevelopment of the whole district...
- Bonham StrandBonham StrandBonham Strand is a combination of two streets in Sheung Wan, Hong Kong: Bonham Strand and Bonham Strand West ....
- Ladder StreetLadder StreetLadder Street is a street in Sheung Wan, Hong Kong, consisting entirely of stone steps.One of the most visited temples in Hong Kong, the Man Mo Temple, is on Hollywood Road at the corner of Ladder Street....
- Yu Hing Lane
- Wa Lane
- Circular Pathway
Some buildings and landmarks along the road
- Man Mo TempleMan Mo TempleA Man Mo Temple or Man Mo Miu is a temple for the worship of the civil or literature god Man Tai / Man Cheong （文昌） and the martial god Mo Tai / Kwan Tai . The two gods were popularly patronized by scholars and students seeking progress in their study or ranking in the civil examinations in the...
(Traditional Chinese: 文武廟) at Hollywood RoadHollywood RoadHollywood Road is a street in Central and Sheung Wan, on Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong.Hollywood Road is filled with trinket and antique shops of all sorts: from Chinese furniture to porcelain ware, from Buddha sculptures to Tibetan rugs, from Japanese netsukes to Coromandel screens, from Ming... - Sheung Wan Market, Queen's Road Central (#36-44)
- Sheung Wan Municipal Services Building and Civic Centre at Queen's Road Central(#63)
- Sheung Wan Post Office(上環郵政局)
- Cat Street Galleries (摩羅街中心)
- Cat Street Bazaar
- Western MarketWestern MarketWestern Market is one of the oldest structures in Sheung Wan, Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong. The current structure was the North Block of the original Western Market. It is the oldest surviving market building in the city...
(西港城) besides Morrison Street - Midland Centre (中源中心)
- Wing Lok StreetWing Lok StreetWing Lok Street is a street in Sheung Wan on the northern Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong. The street is a marketplace for Chinese medicine and many varieties of dried seafood - especially shark fin. Its east end features a number of restaurants...
(Ginseng & Bird's Nest Streets) - Herbal Medicine Streets
- Chop Street (Man Wa Lane)(文華里)
- Hong Kong Museum of Medical Services
- Lan Kwai FongLan Kwai FongLan Kwai Fong is a small square of streets in Central, Hong Kong. The area was dedicated to hawkers before the Second World War, but underwent a renaissance in the mid 1980s. It is now a popular expatriate haunt in Hong Kong for drinking, clubbing and dining...
(蘭桂坊) - Welland Plaza(偉利商場)
Public transport
As a sightseeing spot in the Central and Western DistrictHong Kong Island
Hong Kong Island is an island in the southern part of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. It has a population of 1,289,500 and its population density is 16,390/km², as of 2008...
, there are several transportation available as the Lascar Street is just in front of the main road at the Queen's Road Central
- Sheung WanSheung WanSheung Wan is an area in Hong Kong, located in the north-west of Hong Kong Island, between Central and Sai Ying Pun. Administratively, it is part of the Central and Western District...
MTR Station - Exit A2 at Wing Lok StreetWing Lok StreetWing Lok Street is a street in Sheung Wan on the northern Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong. The street is a marketplace for Chinese medicine and many varieties of dried seafood - especially shark fin. Its east end features a number of restaurants... - City Bus---Number 90B (pass the station at Queen's Road Central)
- City Bus---Number 23, 40, 40M (off at the station of the medical museum and walk about 5 minutes)
- First BusFirst BusFirst Bus can mean:*New World First Bus, third largest bus operator in Hong Kong*FirstBus, a United Kingdom bus company that was renamed First Group in 1998...
---Number 91 (pass the station at Queen's Road Central) - First BusFirst BusFirst Bus can mean:*New World First Bus, third largest bus operator in Hong Kong*FirstBus, a United Kingdom bus company that was renamed First Group in 1998...
---Number 94 (pass the station at Queen's Road Central) - First BusFirst BusFirst Bus can mean:*New World First Bus, third largest bus operator in Hong Kong*FirstBus, a United Kingdom bus company that was renamed First Group in 1998...
---Number 26 (pass the station at Hollywood Road) - Mini Bus---Number 55(pass the station at Queen's Road Central)
See also
- Sheung WanSheung WanSheung Wan is an area in Hong Kong, located in the north-west of Hong Kong Island, between Central and Sai Ying Pun. Administratively, it is part of the Central and Western District...
- Hollywood RoadHollywood RoadHollywood Road is a street in Central and Sheung Wan, on Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong.Hollywood Road is filled with trinket and antique shops of all sorts: from Chinese furniture to porcelain ware, from Buddha sculptures to Tibetan rugs, from Japanese netsukes to Coromandel screens, from Ming...
- Queen's Road Central
- List of streets and roads in Hong Kong
- List of leading shopping streets and districts by city
External links
- http://www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/Museum/Monument/en/discovery_center.php
- http://www.gohk.gov.hk/eng/index.html
- http://www.discoverhongkong.com/tc/attractions/hk-cat-street.html