(1st Version in Hokkien)
Papa Lang
Lang Ting Tang
Si Kin Tang
Apek Beh Bak Chang
Bak Chang Beh Bo Liow
Apek Chiak Ka liow!
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(1st Version in English)
Dragonfly
Lang Ting Tang (A Sanxian- type of Chinese stringed instrument)
Four catties in weight
Old man sells rice dumplings
As for those that are left unsold
The old man finished it all by himself!
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(2nd Version in Hokkien)
Papa Lang
Si Kin Tang
Chiak Bak Chang
Sai Bay Pang!
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(2nd Version in English)
Dragonfly
Four catties in weight
Eat rice dumplings
Makes you constipate!
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About this rhyme/ditty:~
This rhyme/ditty is about “Bak Chang” or rice dumplings. Rice dumplings are made from glutinous rice wrapped in bamboo leaves left to steam in stacks of bamboo steamers. The end result is a steaming hot sticky recipe not encourage to be indulge in excessively as they are believed to conjest the digestive passageway and excessive consumption does make one sleepy in the afternoon! “Papa Lang” is also a traditional childhood game where one tags the other by the waist or shoulder forming a train like formation while chanting this ditty
The author/owner has compiled for record, a collection of early Hokkien sayings, proverbs, rhymes and ditties to capture the essence and spirit of his hoi polloi, a community originating from the southern province of Fujian, China where individuals climbed aboard bum boats, crossing the South China Sea to settle in faraway lands to escape the brewing civil unrest and a way out from hardship carrying along with them in their journey, nothing except their trademark ponytails and their beliefs, very much rooted in Confucianism. These ditties retell their story and their lifestyle way back then so that the younger generation can gain an insight and foothold to their origin..
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