Chinese Space, Identity, and Presence in Malaysia: Exploring the Yingxiong Haohan Ideal of Wu Masculinity in the Wangkang Festival of Melaka

• Published in: Translocal Chinese: East Asian Perspectives
• Main Author: Neo D.; Ngo S.-S.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Brill Academic Publishers 2024
• Online Access: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85188203502&doi=10.1163%2f24522015-17020003&partnerID=40&md5=d7abf321694f3bac6fd2fff2c13323dd

TheWangkangFestivalhasbeencelebratedfornearlytwocenturiesinMelaka,Malaysia. In 2005, it was recognized as part of the national heritage of Malaysia; and in 2020 garnered global recognition with unesco Intangible Cultural Heritage designation. The festival centers on apprehending evil spirits believed to cause epidemics and chaos, while invoking peace and prosperity. The tradition revolves around the worship of Ong Yah, also known as the “Five Sworn Brothers,” making it a vibrant cultural site to study Melaka’s local Chinese identity through Taoist folk religious practices. This article documents the 2020 festival in the midst of the covid pandemic, observes the notable absence and marginalization of women, explores gender constructions through the notion of wu (武) in Chinese masculinity, particularly through the ideal of yingxiong haohan (英雄好漢), and argues that the Chinese community carves out a Chinese public space, identity and presence in Malaysia within the Wangkang Festival context. © 2024 Brill Academic Publishers. All rights reserved.