Reconstructing Religion: An Anthropological Study on the Development of Dejiao Organization in Contemporary Malaysia

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This paper examines the development and the formation of the Dejiao organization. Dejiao originated as a spirit-writing cult in 1939 in the Teochew region of South China. Dejiao is largely a Teochew phenomenon with a close link to Teochewreligious culture and Teochew businessmen. By the end of World War II, Teochewbusinessmen had begun spreading Dejiao to areas of Southeast Asia, such as Thailand,Singapore and Malaysia. Since then, it has continued to expand, and today Dejiao hasdeveloped into large Religious organizations. The organization in Malaysia boasts the largest number of adherents. The main activities and the characteristics of the various Dejiao organizations remain the same. They carry out planchette divination and charitable activities, at the same time, Dejiao organizations also act the role as Chinese mutual aid society. This paper will analyze the development of Dejiao in Malaysia, focusing on the environment of the migrant society and the characteristics of its members. It will examine how thebusinessmen, as well as other members, have shaped the Teochew religious culture intoa religious organization and how they have affected the formation of the character ofDejiao.
2012-02-01