Lineage Culture And Trans-border Continuation As Exemplified By The Migration Of The Cai Lineage From Qionglin,Quemoy To Singapore

This paper explores the rich lineage culture of Qionglin Cais in Quemoy and its trans-border continuation as exemplified by their migration to Singapore.The ancestor of Qionglin,Cais Shiqilang,was a commoner who married into the bridge family of Chen in the 11^th century in the early Song Dynasty.The family of this adopted son-in-law developed into an influential family due to their descendants'success in imperial examinations and their high-ranking governmental positions in Ming and Qing dynasties.Seven high quality ancestor temples for eight ancestors were built and official worshipping rituals were introduced.These temples and rituals,coupled with stringent clan rule and teachings,formed the rich Qionglin lineage culture amongst all communities in Quemoy.The rich lineage culture of Qionglin declined,as compared with other communities from Quemoy,when the Cais migrated to multi-culture Singapore in mid 1800s.It was mainly caused by the lack of a clan association for Qionglin Cais to preserve and promote their culture.Unlike other villagers from Quemoy,Qionglin Cais did not take up the job of marine transport worker.In mid 1800s,worker quarters for marine transport workers were set up by other Quemoy communities in Singapore to cater for the urgent accommodation need of new comers.These worker quarters developed into clan associations that played important roles in preserving and promoting lineage culture.Qionglin Cais missed this opportunity to form a clan association.On the other hand,successful Qionglin businessmen prospered at a later time in the 1920s when the Singapore Kim Mui Heoy Kuan has already been in existence for more than 40 years.They can perform their community services at broadly represented district organizations such as Singapore Kim Mui Hoey Kuan,Sinagpore Hokkien Huay Kuan and even Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce instead of establishing their own sub-district clan association.The lineage culture of Qionglin in Singapore was showcased in the following ways:1)Successful Qionglin Cai businessmen rendered help in accommodation and job-seeking to new comers in the early days.2)Like immigrants from other parts of China,the new comers would support members of family in Qionglin through remittance upon getting a job,while successful ones would rebuilt their ancestor house and tomb,and contribute money to rebuild and renovate ancestor hall in their home village.3)As Qionglin is part of Quemoy,the Qionglin Cais made use to Singapore Kim Mui Hoey Kuan to contribute to the welfare of villagers in home town,Quemoy and also extended their contribution to the whole of Fujian Province during disaster relief efforts.