Hoklo Enclaves in Hakka Administrative Districts: Case Studies from Xinwu and Toufen, Taiwan

In Taiwan, interethnic relations between the Hoklo and Hakka peoples have traditionally been framed through “Hoklo as the majority and Hakka as the minority,” reflecting Hoklo dominance in political, cultural, and demographic terms. However, even within officially designated Hakka administrative districts (also known as Key Development Areas of Hakka Culture), Hoklo enclaves can still be found. This paper reverses the conventional perspective by examining these contexts as cases of “Hakka as the majority and Hoklo as the minority,” focusing on four Hoklo enclaves—Kekegan, Luzhunan, Touniu, and Daniuchou—situated in Hakka-majority districts (Xinwu and Toufen) where over 75% of the population is Hakka. This paper employs the concepts of constitutional multiculturalism, substantive ethnic equality, ethnic minority administrative districts, and ethnic enclaves, along with Berry’s acculturation model, to analyze the status of Hoklo enclaves within Hakka administrative districts. The findings indicate that: (1) Hoklo enclaves can be categorized into two typologies: “pure Hoklo enclaves” and “hybrid Hoklo enclaves,” each reflecting distinct patterns of Hoklo–Hakka ethnic relations; and (2) state institutional arrangements play a pivotal role in shaping the development and divergence of Hoklo enclave typologies.