Official launch and panel discussion of Chinese Epigraphy in Singapore, 1819-1911 by Professor Kenneth Dean and Dr. Hue Guan Thye.

Chinese Epigraphy in Singapore is the history of Singapore's Chinese community carved in stone and wood: in the epigraphic record of 62 Chinese temples, native place associations, clan and guild halls, from 1819 to 1911. These materials include temple plaques, couplets, stone inscriptions, stone and bronze censers, and other inscribed objects found in these institutions. They prove first-hand historical information on the aspirations and contributions of the early generation of Chinese settlers in Singapore. Early inscriptions reveal the centrality of these institutions to Chinese life in Singapore, while later inscriptions show the many ways that these institutions have evolved over the years. Many have become deeply engaged in social welfare projects, while others have also become centers of transnational networks. These materials, available in both Chinese and English translation, open a window into the world of Chinese communities in Singapore. These cultural artifacts can also be appreciated for their exceptional artistic value. They are a central part of the heritage of Singapore

“There is no doubt that this new collection of epigraphic material constitutes a repository of Singapore cultural and historical heritage, and will become an indispensable tool for all the scholars interested in that country.”
Claudine Salmon, Director of Research Emeritus at the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS), Paris

Authors
Kenneth Dean is professor at the Asia Research Institute and head of the Department of Chinese Studies, National University of Singapore.
Hue Guan Thye is a senior research fellow at the Department of Chinese Studies, National University of Singapore.

内容简介：

本书作者丁荷生与许源泰探访了新加坡六十二所庙宇、祠堂、同乡会、宗亲会、同业工会等华人社团，从门楣匾额、门柱对聯、石、铜香爐、钟等器物上搜集近一千三百多幅铭刻。这些铭刻不仅是新加坡的文化与歷史遗产，也是追寻华人移居东南亚歷史的重要线索。

铭刻中也可以看出早期东南亚华人组织跨国海外华人网络的过程。移居新加坡的闽南商人，在事业有成之余，不仅在新加坡建庙社馆，也參与遍布中国原乡与东南亚各国的庙宇活动。侨乡因此不再限于一地，反而扩大成一个跨国网路。靠着侨乡与移居地的庙宇形成的跨国网路：它们一方面提供了国家体制外的贸易信用制度，处理贸易冲突，庙宇组织各种神明会、进行各种文化、慈善与教育活动，这种横向的跨国聯系，比从上而下的国家文化霸权更多采多姿，提供了更多崭新的可能性，闽粤文化因此丰富、复杂与多元化。

本书所有铭刻内容均以中英双语呈现。

“这项最新搜集的铭刻材料构成了新加坡文化和历史遗产，对于新加坡感兴趣的专家学者而言，这套铭刻汇编将成为一个不可或缺的工具书，这是毫无疑问的。”克劳婷·苏尔梦，法国国家科学研究中心名誉主任