Preserving Native Culture on a Foreign Ground - Traditional Chinese Culture among Chinese Immigrant New Yorkers

This Master`s thesis is the result of research into the presence of traditional native culture of the Chinese-born immigrants in New York City. The 400-year-old city has been built by immigration and to this day keeps on receiving new immigrants from all over the world. Consequently, different languages, customs and forms of art can be found as parts of local communities throughout the city. Therefore, one might wonder why people really bring something of their old culture, their native to their new home in a foreign land. Is it out of need, pride or even spite, that led to all the cultural variations which are still preserved in New York today? According to some scholarship, it is the need for comfort and support in a foreign land, that may trigger this social phenomenon. The aim of this research was to document what Chinese-born immigrant New Yorkers have to say about it and to answer the following questions: In what forms is the native culture of Chinese immigrants present in New York City today? How is it being preserved and promoted? What motivates the Chinese immigrant community to keep preserving and promoting certain elements of their traditional culture in this city? Is the need for solace the main stimulus for embracing and advocating their native culture abroad or are there other reasons as well? By employing qualitative research techniques (interviewing, observation and analysis of textual/visual data), this Master`s thesis will take us on a journey over the Atlantic, to the old New York Chinatown and somewhat further. We will visit, among others, a century old The New York Chinese School and The New York Chinese Opera Society and find that the local Chinese-born community preserves its native, traditional culture for several reasons: some want to promote Chinese philosophical ethics and keep it for the future generations, while others, motivated by personal love and enthusiasm, cherish it with their community and use it to promote intercultural communication. Additionally, we will learn that Chinese native culture can provide comfort to some of the Chinese-born newcomers in the city, far away from the “motherland”. And yes, be ready for some occasional dives into the history of New York and Chinese immigration to America