| THE STRAITS CHINESE a cultural history |
Since ancient times, Southeast Asia has been an important link in the trade routes connecting China with India, Arabia and Europe. Contacts between China and the states of the Malay-Indonesian archipelago were reported as early as the fifth century AD, and Chinese tradespeople began to settle in this region in the 15th century. Chinese communities emerged in the port cities of Java, Sumatra and other islands of the archipelago, and especially along the west coast of the Malay Peninsula, in what would become known as the Straits Settlements: Penang, Malacca and Singapore. These `Straits Chinese' adapted to a wide variety of local conditions, and — subjected to Malay, European and Indian cultural influences — eventually developed a unique cultural identity. The main characteristics of Straits Chinese arts and architecture are their highly ornate nature, intricate detail and especially their idiosyncratic style, which reflects the above mentioned blend of influences. This book provides a detailed account of the development of the Straits Chinese social and material culture. The text is illustrated with many historical photographs, and a very large selection of high quality colour plates of architecture, forniture, costumes, beadwork, textiles, embroidery, gold and silver jewellery, domestic objects and ceramics. Dr Khoo p° Ee, a Straits Chinese from Penang, is the curator of the Asian Art Museum in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. She studied fine art and history of art in Malaysia, the Netherlands, England and the USA, and obtained her Doctorate from the University of London in 1976. She has focused more than twenty years of scholarly research on the cultures of Southeast Asia, particularly the Straits Chinese, culminating in this first comprehensive publication on this subject. |
CONTENTS Acknowledgements Map of India, China and Southeast Asia Map of Malaysia and Indonesia Introduction Sailing ships and luxury goods 1 The Straits Chinese The Babas and early economic activities Traditional associations Secret societies The Sinkhek and tin Occupational niches Enclaves Interracial and intraracial relations The China connection Political involvement The Penang secession movement 2 Religion, Customs and Festivals Chinese `religion' and customs Ancestor worship Religious syncretism Popular Buddhism Hungry ghosts Christianity Common origins The Dragon Boat Race The betel Rites of passage Full moon and childhood The traditional Baba wedding Childbirth and confinement Birthdays Funerals Festivals Chinese New Year Thanksgiving Chingay Chap goh meh The Lantern or Moon Festival 3 Everyday Life Language Baba Malay Penang Hokkien Education Chinese schools English schools Men's social lives Associations and clubs Other pastimes Women's social lives Servants and slaves The Hailam cook-boy Mui chai Amah che Nyonya cuisine 4 Architecture Secular structures The shophouse Terraced houses Semi-detached houses The bungalow Villas The courtyard mansion The Chinese garden Temples The shophouse tempie The clan temples of Penang Theatrical stages Commemorative structures Geomancy Building materials The house on stilts 5 The Arts Arts and crafts Embroidery and beadwork Techniques and styles of embroidery Embroidery on footwear Beadwork Costumes and accessories Cosmetics Chinese styles of clothing Malay styles Western attire The chignon Nyonya jewellery Silver and other metalware Ceramics and glass Literature Peranakan publications The pantun Performing arts The pantun and Dongdang Sayang Boria Bangsawan Epilogue: the Straits Chinese Today Bibliography Glossary Index |
 
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