Comparative study on annual traditions of Teochew people's : Case study Yaowarat, Thailand and Jieyang, Guangdong Province, People’s Republic of China

Abstract

          This article has the purpose to compare the annual traditions of Teochew Chinese people in Yaowarat and Jieyang Province, People’s Republic of China. This research is a qualitative research that studies data from fieldwork by using participatory and non-participatory observation methods and in-dept interview. The researcher interviews for data collection from the sample group to get in-depth information and meet the research’s objectives.

          The research shows that the traditions Teochew Chinese people in both countries consist of the traditions related to life cycle which are the tradition about birth, Chuk Hui Heung traditions (coming of age traditions), marriage, sixtieth anniversary and death. There are five traditions according to festivals which are Chinese New Year festival, Qingming festival, Dragon Boat festival, Mid-autumn festival and Vegetarian festival. In addition, there are three important days from the Chinese mythology: the day of worship at Di Chu Ea Shrine, Mazu Shrine and ancestor's day. These traditions have the similarity that still pass on until the present day but the difference is that the Teochew Chinese people who have migrated to Thailand have adapted to Thai society. Therefore, some of the traditions have been modified. Moreover, the factors that change the traditions of both countries are government policy, migration, marriage and modern technology. However, Teochew Chinese people in both countries are able to preserve and inherit these traditions until present.