Associations and Social Functions of Chinese in Penang in the 18th to Early 20th Centuries
Persatuan dan Fungsi Sosial dalam Masyarakat Cina di Pulau Pinang Pada Abad ke-18 Sehingga Awal Abad ke-20
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37134/perspektif.vol14.1.1.2022Keywords:
Diaspora, migration, Penang social structure, Chinese Associations, social functionAbstract
This article aims to analyze the history of Chinese migration to Penang, the form and social function of the Chinese Association in Penang in building the social order of the Chinese community in Penang around the 18th to the 20th century. The association was an important element in building the social structure of the Chinese community as they migrated to new settlements. Chinese migration can be traced back through a long history. The wave of migration that took place during the 18th through the 20th centuries had the biggest impact on the region’s socioeconomic landscape. Since the 18th century, the Chinese migrated to Penang in large groups for economic needs. As the community grew larger through this wave of migration, they gathered to help each other. Eventually, this resulted in an important phenomenon whereby Chinese associations were established based on kinship, locality, dialect and profession. These associations played important roles in developing the social structure of the Chinese community in Penang. This study is conducted using qualitative research methods. Analysis of the study was done based on the primary source which is the Straits Settlements Government Gazette and Supplement to Straits Settlements Government Gazette. The analysis of secondary sources was based on self-published magazines and books by Chinese associations with limited circulation, books and journal articles. The findings of the study indicate that Chinese associations had been established based on the principles of family, locality, dialect and field of occupation. Each association plays its social function by providing a place of dependence, carrying out religious activity, customary and cultural activities as well as fostering the unity of the Chinese community. Thus, Chinese associations in Penang have succeeded in forming a systematic social order based on the organising principle and the social functions played in Chinese society.
Downloads
References
Backman, M. (1995). Overseas Chinese business networks in Asia. East Asia Analytical Unit, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Blundell, E. A. (1851). Notices of Penang. Journal of Indian Archipelago and Eastern Asia, V, 9.
Blythe, W. (1969). The impact of Chinese secret societies in Malaya, A historical study. Oxford University Press.
Cai Peirong. (2002). Discussion on the Consul in Singapore in the Qing Dynasty, 1877-1911, Vol. 5. National University of Singapore.
Cullin, E.G., Zehnder, W.F. (1905), The early history of Penang, 1592-1827. Criterion Press.
Derks, H. (2012). History of the opium problem: The assault on the East, ca. 1600-1950. Brill.
Fong, J. Y. (2012). Hua HaI Zhu Yu Da Bo Gong Miao. Ma Lai Xi Ya Bin Lang Yu Hai Zhu Yu Wu Shu Da Bo Gong Miao Jian Miao 212 Zhou Nian Ji Nian Te Kan. Tokong Thai Pak Koong (Ng Suk) Tanjong Tokong.
Freedman, M. (1960a). Immigrants and associations: Chinese in nineteenth century Singapore. Comparative Studies in Society and History, 3(1), 25-48.
Freedman, M. (1960b). The growth of a plural society in Malaya. Pacific Affairs, 33(2), 158-168.
Gungwu, W. (2000). The Chinese overseas from earthbound China to the quest for autonomy. Harvard University Press.
Gungwu, W. (1991).China and the Chinese overseas.Times Academic Press.
Khoo, K. K. (1971). Latar belakang sejarah masyarakat India dan China di Tanah Melayu, JEBAT, 1, 14-23.
Kwoh, S. C. (2013). Chinese clan in Penang, A concise history. Penang Chinese Clan Council.
Lee, Y. F. (2009). Kajian tentang identiti orang cina di Malaysia dari segi epistemologi: Ulasan. Sari, 27, 167-183.
Li, P. S. & Li, E. X.. (2013). The Chinese overseas population. Dlm. Tan Chee Beng (ed.). Routledge Handbook of the Chinese Diaspora. Routledge.
Lin, Z. (2009). The society of overseas Chinese in Malaya before 1914. Around Southeast Asia, 5, 81-85.
Mak, L. F. (1981). The sociology of secret societies. Oxford University Press.
Mak, L. F. (1995). The dynamics of Chinese dialect groups in early Malaya. Singapore Society of Asian Studies.
Mills, L., Turnbull, C., & Bassett, D. (1960). British Malaya 1824-67. Journal of the Malayan Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society, 33/3(191), 1-424.
Mung, E. M. (1998). Groundlessness and utophia: The Chinese diaspora and territory. Dlm. Elizabeth Sinn (ed.). The last half century of Chinese overseas. Hong Kong University Press.
Neil, K., Salma, K., Leng, L., & Guan, Y. (2009). Penang and its region: The story of an Asian entreport. In C. M. Turnbull, Penang’s changing role in the Straits Settlements 1826-1946 (pp. 30-53). NUS Press.
Ooi, K. G. (2015). Disparate identities: Penang from a historical perspective, 1780–1941. Kajian Malaysia, 33(Supp. 2), 27–52.
Poston, Jr. D.L & Wong, J.H. (2016). The Chinese diaspora: The current distribution of the overseas Chinese population. Chinese Journal Sociology, 2(3), 348-373.
Purcell, V. (1960). The Chinese in modern Malaya. Eastern Universities Press Ltd.
Qiu, R. F. (1979). Bin Cheng Hui Zhou Hui Guan Guan Shi, Bin Lang Yu Ke Shu Gong Hui Si Shi Zhou Nian Ji Nian Kan. Penang Khek Association.
Shen, S. K. (1987). “Ben Hui Hui Shi”. Bin Cheng Jia Ying Hui Guan 186 Zhou Nian Ji Nian Te Kan. Kar Yin Fui Kon.
Shen, Y. (2013). Bincheng Fujian Huaren Wuda Xingshi Jiongma Jingying Tanxi. Overseas Chinese Journal of Bagui, 4, 64-70.
Shi, C. (2005). Malai Xiya Huaren Shetuan Yanjiu. Zhong Guo Hua Qiao Chu Ban She.
Straits Settlements Government Gazette. (1888). XXII (20), 27 April.
Supplement to Straits Settlements Government Gazette. (1888). 20 Jun.
Tan, C. B. (2013). Introduction. Dlm. Tan Chee Beng (ed.). Routledge Handbook of the Chinese Diaspora. Routledge.
Tan, K. H. (2007). The Chinese in Penang: A pictorial history. Areca Books.
Tan, K. H., & Ooi, B. K. (2014). The story of Hokkien Kongsi, Penang. Hokkien Kongsi.
Teoh, S. K. (1997). Epigraphic inscriptions of Penang Hokkien cemeteries. Singapore Society of Asian Studies.
Vaughan, J. D. (1879). Manners and customs of the Chinese of the Straits Settlements. Mission Press.
Wong, Y. (2012). The evolution of Penang’s Chinese Association. Penang Monthly. Diakses pada 9 Jun 2020. https://penangmonthly.com/article.aspx?pageid=7169&name=the_evolution_of_penangschinese_associations.
Xiao, X., Zhang, W., Fan Z., Lin, K., Li, M., & Zhang, H. (2005). Dongnan Yade Kejia Huiguan: Lishi Yu Gongneng De Tantao. Asia- Pacific Research Forum, 28, 185-220.
Yeap, L. H. (2017). Brief history of carpenter’s guild in Penang. Malaysian Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, 6(1/2), 77-90.
Zhuang, G. T. (2008). On the four waves: History of the Chinese migration into Southeast Asian. Southeast Asian Affairs, 1(133), 69-81.
