![]() One of the ways to identify this is to first discover what language your family of origin spoke. So how can you find out where exactly your family came from in China? Map of the different languages of China. Although most migrants historically came from the South – specifically the provinces of Fujian and Guangdong – their origins are in fact very diverse. The largest wave of Chinese immigration began in the 19 th-20 th Century to America, Europe and Australia. The Chinese DiasporaĪccording to research on the Chinese Diaspora, there are at least 50 million Overseas Chinese spread across 130 countries. In order to get a better understanding of this, the first step is to find out where in China your family came from. If this is the case with your family too, you might be wondering what traditions your ancestral family had, and if any still ring true in your own family today. ![]() However, apart from food, much of the Chinese traditions have taken a more Singaporean flavour. Our porridge has visible rice grains, while our Cantonese counterparts prepare porridge with a smooth and silky texture. As Teochews, food is preferred fresh and steamed. Source: Straits Times.Īlthough the distinctions between different Chinese clans are no longer so obvious in Singapore, subtle nuances still exist, particularly in the way we prepare food. This would present itself in nuanced forms such as being given hidden perks at hawker stalls run by Teochews, where you may would get an extra serving of noodles, or a larger cup of classic kopi when you speak the language. This idea of being connected to your family’s roots and community of origin resonates strongly among many Overseas Chinese. My grandmother would say this phrase often, “ Teochew nang, kaki nang” (Teochew people are our people). I, for one, identify more strongly with being Teochew. Although many Singaporean Chinese now speak Mandarin (instead of their family dialects) thanks to the implementation of the Bilingual Policy (1959) and the Speak Mandarin Campaign (1979), many Chinese still identify with their family roots. Have you ever wondered where your ancestors lived in China and what their traditions, values and family culture were like?īeing Singaporean Chinese, this thought has often crossed my mind.
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