tankia

plural tankias · alternative Tan-kea

1. Alternative form of Tanka.
   1. Boat people from Canton region of China.

      The tankia, or boat-people, at Canton form a class in some respects beneath the other portions of the community, and have many customs peculiar to themselves.

      1849, Samuel Wells Williams, The Chinese Empire and Its Inhabitants

   2. Type of boat used by the boat people near Canton.

      1 more example

      All the foreigners dwell in the rear of the hongs, near the river; near there the tankia and other small boats are not allowed to remain ; and the foreigners in their journeys, between the provincial city and Whampoa, are not allowed to seek for and hire the tankia people, nor go on board the other small boats.

      1842, The Chinese Repository - Volumes 11-15, page 194