TELLING HISTORY THROUGH COMICS (2) Ahuodan - The Warden of Tamsui 滬尾守衛阿火旦



I was given this comic by my friend (founder of Gaea Books Co. and Taiwan Comic Base)at a fantastic banquet held in Tamsui.

My research result (with significant input from historian friend) seen in this well-received article

Who is A-ho-da 
Dish 4 “A-ho-da (阿火旦)” pocket meat: Local militia leader Chang Li-cheng (張李成) gathered about 500 Hakka and Aboriginal warriors (who were documented shooting flintlock rifles lying down with the barrel between their toes), pocketing a hard-won victory, hence the braised pork belly in steamed pancake pockets. Chang’s nickname A-ho-da is reportedly an amalgamation of his fiery temperament and his playing of female roles in traditional opera troupes.

Shooting flintlock rifles lying down with the barrel between their toes  - See The Battle of Keelung 1884-1885

Participation of aboriginal warriors - See French Severed Head and Cooked Aborigine

Comic error - my historian friend points out local militia (mountain Hakka and aborigines) fought bare-footed. Therefore the footwear was a historical error.

If you are in Taiwan - you can explore places in Tamsui - 


Mackay's first residence arranged by John Dodd  -
See Mackay's first house in Danshui 

Dr George Leslie Mackay’s Clinic where wounded were tended - 

The Heroes
General Sun Kai-hua (孫開華)
Dish 10 “General’s crispy taro:” The final dish pays tribute to General Sun Kai-hua (孫開華), who led the successful defense of Tamsui. However, Qing imperial commissioner Liu Ming-chuan (劉銘傳), who failed to defend Keelung, tried to steal Sun’s thunder by claiming victory for himself and his faction in official reports, even accusing Sun of dereliction of duty. Taro was reportedly Sun’s favorite food and an important staple in both Tamsui and Sun’s hometown in Hunan. It is served deep-fried, coated in peanut and sesame.

The Hunan Braves - 湖南勇
Dish 8 “Xiang Army fried rice:” Troops from the Qing’s Xiang (Hunan Province) and Huai (Anhui Province) armies were in charge of defending Taiwan. This tumeric rice dish includes General Tso chicken representing the Xiang and cranberry the Huai, and black sesame the hardy Hunan yong (勇, brave) warriors. It’s said that even the severely wounded yong rushed straight back to the battlefield after being patched up at the local Mackay Clinic, founded by renowned Canadian missionary George Leslie Mackay.
More Historical Details
The Hunan Braves - 湖南勇
END
TELLNG HISTORY THROUGH COMICS (1) is prepared specifically for The Economic Botany Collection at Kew with extensive details - See Plant Collectors' Notebooks 採集人野帳 - Taiwan's First Botanical Themed Comic.
 















 

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