The Straits Chinese in Singapore: A Case of Local Identity and Socio-cultural Accommodation

Abstract

From the time modern Singapore was founded its Chinese population comprised Malacca-born (later Singapore-born) “Straits Chinese and China-born immigrants who came from various districts of South China. While the latter belonged to various speech groups and in the early days were clannish in outlook, they regarded themselves ashua-ch'iao(overseas Chinese) and remained Chinese citizens. They were either China-oriented in their political loyalty, or else were apolitical. In contrast the Straits Chinese were local citizens with no second homeland. The earlier residents wereBabaswho had emigrated from Malacca. Their remote ancestors had come mainly from the province of Fukien, but had settled in Malacca and married local Malay women. After Singapore, Penang and Malacca became the Straits Settlements in 1826, the Babas and their descendants came also to be known as the Straits Chinese.