‘TIONGHOA’ OR ‘ CINA ’: negotiating Chinese-Indonesians’ preferred identity in the post-reform era

Abstract

This paper aims to explore the dynamics evident in views among Chinese-Indonesians regarding the preferred name for their ethnic identity, with particular reference to the 2014 Presidential Decree that changed the official term from ‘Cina’ to ‘Tionghoa’. Using a qualitative approach, the data was collected through surveys and in-depth interviews with a number of purposely selected Chinese-Indonesian participants. In general, the survey results indicated that both older and younger generations of Chinese-Indonesians believe the policy of officially naming their ethnic group is a valid means to eliminate discrimination and negative stereotyping. However, acknowledging their intrinsic heterogeneity, although it is deemed necessary to regulate an ethnic identity term or name, it is likewise important to develop that identity by supporting a bottom-up process that encourages a fair understanding in the wider community that being ‘Cina’, ‘Tionghoa’ or ‘Chindo/Cindo’ are an integral element of Indonesian-ness.

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