Traditional Theatrical Entertainments of Chinese Colonies in South-East Asia : Festivities and Local Theatricals during the months of July, August and September ( on Agricultural Almanac)

During the three months Sept.-Nov., in 1979, we have made a preliminary survey and tried to select several places and times most suitable for the general investigation of Chinese festivities which have been handed down among the Chinese people scattered over the whole area of South-East Asia. The report in the end will cover not only the traditional festivities themselves, but their relevance to the sponsers (whether they are linked together by clannish, provincial, professional or religious ties), which are to be elucidated from historical, ethnological, literary and linguistic view-points.] The result of our investigation will be published in four parts. The last report was concerned with the Festival of Hungry Ghost in Singapore and was intended to give a fair idea how and why we have selected the following places and times for our investigation of it which is customally held there in July. The present report in concerned with the festivals and theatricals on the birthday of Gods (especially of Qitian-Dasheng 斉天大聖), and those of Jiuhuangye 九皇爺 and their relation with the sponsors in Malaysia (inquiries made on Penang Island). Appendices are contained with primary lists of the feasts in Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand, and that of members who invited the Chaozhou Opera troupe from China in 1979. The remaining part will report the results of our work on (IV) the relation between the clans and the festivities of their patronizing deites in Thailand