Anthropological Study of Network Construction of Hainanese Chinese in Indonesia

Project Leader:YOKOTA, Sachiko (University of Shiga Prefecture, School of Human Cultures)

CollaboratorsOKAMOTO, Masaaki (Kyoto University, Center for Southeastern Asian Studies)
         KITAMURA, Yumi (Kyoto University Library, Research and Development Laboratory)
         SAKURADA, Ryoko (Ikuei Junior College, Department of Modern Communication)
         NAGANUMA, Sayaka (hizuoka University, Faculty of Humanities and Social Science)

Term:2014-2015

  
Outline of Research:

Name Tablet of Hainanese Hall in Banda Aceh, Indonesia

Name Tablet of Hainanese Hall in Banda Aceh, Indonesia

This study aims to explore the condition of Hainanese Chinese communities and their networks in Indonesia. Hainanese Chinese are considered as one of the major sub-ethnic groups among the overseas Chinese and it is estimated that approximately 2 million of them are spread over 50 countries with a high concentration in Thailand and Indonesia. However, very little is known about this group of overseas Chinese. Therefore, it’s necessary to obtain primary data.

 
 
Description:

ID Card of Indonesian Chinese that returned from Indonesia to Hainan Island in 1950’s

ID Card of Indonesian Chinese that returned from Indonesia to Hainan Island in 1950’s

This study aims to explore the condition of Hainanese Chinese communities and their networks in Indonesia. Hainanese Chinese are considered as one of the major sub-ethnic groups among the overseas Chinese and it is estimated that approximately 2 million of them are spread over 50 countries with a high concentration in Thailand and Indonesia. However, very little is known about this group.

In the studies on Indonesian Chinese nationality issues, uniqueness and succession of overseas Chinese culture, and national identity in association with assimilation policies have been major themes. In many cases, these studies took Java Chinese who have been deeply creolized as the main object of study, and sub-ethnicity within the Indonesian Chinese have not been thoroughly discussed except for the dominant sub-ethnic groups such as Hokkien, Cantonese, Teochiu, and Hakka.

In this study, an anthropological survey in Hainanese Chinese communities in Indonesia will be conducted in order to obtain primary data on this little known but significant group of overseas Chinese, and then explore their networks among Southeast Asia countries and in Hainan Province of China.

In addition, we will hold a workshop to exchange information with researchers on Overseas Chinese of China, Singapore, and Malaysia. Both the anthropological survey and workshop will be conducted by utilizing the CSEAS Jakarta office.

In short, we expect that this study will contribute in three ways; first by offering primary data on Hainanese Chinese in Indonesia, second by reexamining the sub ethnicity of Indonesian Chinese, and finally through the kitamre-constitution of the history of “returned Overseas Chinese that re-migrated to Hainan Province from Indonesia. With these contributions, we hope to explain the history of Hainanese Chinese in Indonesia.

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