Chinese Clan Associations in Singapore
About Project
The traditional role of a clan association is to provide support to new immigrants in the forms of initiation, induction, mutual protection, social services and entertainment. The political changes that Singapore underwent in the 1950s and 1960s, as a result of decolonisation and independence, impacted on clan associations in numerous ways. This project records the post-1960s transformation of clan associations in areas such as roles and purpose, leadership, administration, membership and funding. It also captures details of subsidiary and other related organisations of the associations such as cemeteries, schools, nursing homes and other properties. The majority of interviews were conducted in Mandarin.