Maintaining Chinese Cultural Identity: The Role of Chinese Clan Associations in Medan

Mariana Makmur

2022

Abstract

This article describes the role of Chinese clan associations in Medan in maintaining Chinese cultural identity today. According to Chen (2022) in general there are two types of clan associations, namely those based on family names, lineages, or common ancestry, called kinship-based clan associations (zongqin hui), and those based on dialect or the same district of origin, called the locality-based clan association (tongxiang hui). An example of a kinship-based clan association is the association of the Yap clan, and the Huang clan. An example of a region-based clan association is the Hui Zhou association, and the Hakka association. There are several clan association activities that are closely related to Chinese culture which are routinely carried out in accordance with Chinese festivals. Examples: Chinese New Year, Qingming or Cheng Beng, and Ghost festival. In particular, this paper analyzes the Cheng Beng celebration held by the Chinese clan association. This study uses a qualitative approach by interviewing the administrators and members of clan associations. Observations were made when the activity was carried out. This study found that the Cheng Beng ritual to honor and commemorate the clan ancestor or the clan guardian deities will strengthen group solidarity and Chinese cultural identity.

Paper Citation

in Harvard Style

Makmur M. (2022). Maintaining Chinese Cultural Identity: The Role of Chinese Clan Associations in Medan. In Proceedings of the 4th International Conference on Social and Political Development - Volume 1: ICOSOP, ISBN 978-989-758-618-7, SciTePress, pages 79-84. DOI: 10.5220/0011518500003460

in Bibtex Style

@conference{icosop22,
author={Mariana Makmur},
title={Maintaining Chinese Cultural Identity: The Role of Chinese Clan Associations in Medan},
booktitle={Proceedings of the 4th International Conference on Social and Political Development - Volume 1: ICOSOP,},
year={2022},
pages={79-84},
publisher={SciTePress},
organization={INSTICC},
doi={10.5220/0011518500003460},
isbn={978-989-758-618-7},
}

in EndNote Style

TY - CONF

JO - Proceedings of the 4th International Conference on Social and Political Development - Volume 1: ICOSOP,
TI - Maintaining Chinese Cultural Identity: The Role of Chinese Clan Associations in Medan
SN - 978-989-758-618-7
AU - Makmur M.
PY - 2022
SP - 79
EP - 84
DO - 10.5220/0011518500003460
PB - SciTePress