Village Life
The banyan tree was the true centre of the village.
| PLACE | Sheung Shui |
| DATE | 1994-10-13 |
| OBSERVATIONS | Traditionally, women and children were not allowed into the Man Shek Tong, but the banyan's shade was open to all. It was the place at which to gather for meetings, for news, or just to sit and chat. Banyan wood is not useful as building material or as firewood, and this has helped to preserve the trees from the axe in many villages. The tree's god is regularly worshipped by the villagers to promote or, in case of sickness, to restore good health. |