Diverse Localised Religious Practices and Beliefs of Chinese Communities in Southeast Asia
Type
Single PanelSchedule
Session 3Tue 14:30-16:00 REC A1.04
Convener
- Ai Boay Tan Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman
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The Deification of Chinese Historical Figure in Malaysia
Ai Boay Tan Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman
Malaysia is a multi-ethnic and multireligious country. The Chinese, constituting the second largest ethnic group, have not only integrated local religious elements into their beliefs, but have also ‘transformed’ historical figures into deities. Usually, figures historically regarded as martyrs are revered as deity within the Chinese community, such as Soo Datuk, Liu Shan Bang, and Sheng Ming Li. This research attempts to delve into the process of deification within the Malaysian Chinese community. Through a blend of ethnographic studies and archival research, the paper aims to analyze both the similarities and differences in the deification process.
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To: The Diverse Tutelary Worship of Different Groups in Phuket, Thailand
Yu-sheng Lin Academia Sinica
To is a kind of tutelary spirit popular in the southern Thailand. They are usually in the form of Muslim elders, but worshipped by non-Muslim prayers from different ethnic groups. These different ethnic groups worship To in various ways. In this research, I would like to compare three different ways of the To worship by different groups, which are Thai and Sino-Thai prayers, Thai local governments, and the Urak Lawoi sea peoples. This research aims to comprehend the hybridized interactions of different ethnic groups and the influences of the state in the multi-cultural Southeast Asia.
Abstract
Southeast Asia has incredibly rich and diverse tapestry of religions and ethnic groups. Due to geographical factors and other reasons, there has been a huge influx of Chinese migrants into Nanyang (Southeast Asia) since the mid-19th century. They not only brought their native religious practices to this area but also amalgamated these practices with the indigenous beliefs, forming diverse but unique religious synthesis. In this panel, we are going to discuss these different localised religious practices and beliefs of Chinese communities in Southeast Asia. Tan Ai Boay discusses the deification of Chinese historical figures in Malaya since the 1880s. Her research aims to identify patterns or rules within the deification process. Yang Li studies the influence of the Confucianism movement in China on Southeast Asia, with a specific focus on Singapore as a case study. Despite the Confucianism movement originating from China, her paper also delves into the discussion of localisation in Singapore. Lin Yu Sheng’s research focus on Phuket, Thailand. He compares the tutelary worship of Sino-Thais, Thai state, and the indigenous groups, and examines the syncretism and differences among these groups. Lei Bo studies the film ‘The Story of Southern Islet’ to explore the belief in land spirits at the boundary of Malaysia and Thailand. In summary, this panel focus on the amendment and hybridization of religious practices and beliefs among the Chinese communities and ethnic groups in Southeast Asia