Boat Symbolism and Identity in Insular Southeast Asia. A Case study from the Southeast Moluccas

The region of Southeast Asia is known as an epicenter for a diversity of maritime communities. The complex scatter of islands that comprise the whole region has patterned the lives of generations of maritime communities. As a result, the cultural characteristics and social diversity of the local communities of people in this region is as notable as the sea that surrounds them. This geographic and cultural characteristic has given the boat a central role in the cultural history of many ethnic groups in the Southeast Asian islands. In general, for people in this region, the boat has always been more than just a seagoing vessel. Its presence in various representations has created a symbolic complex to which expressions of the group identity and communal unity can be related. This thesis presents the research of boat symbolism by focusing on the Southeast Moluccas as the case study. Two main issues will be discussed here. The first is related to the material representations of this...Show moreThe region of Southeast Asia is known as an epicenter for a diversity of maritime communities. The complex scatter of islands that comprise the whole region has patterned the lives of generations of maritime communities. As a result, the cultural characteristics and social diversity of the local communities of people in this region is as notable as the sea that surrounds them. This geographic and cultural characteristic has given the boat a central role in the cultural history of many ethnic groups in the Southeast Asian islands. In general, for people in this region, the boat has always been more than just a seagoing vessel. Its presence in various representations has created a symbolic complex to which expressions of the group identity and communal unity can be related. This thesis presents the research of boat symbolism by focusing on the Southeast Moluccas as the case study. Two main issues will be discussed here. The first is related to the material representations of this symbolism and the second concerns the meaning and cultural-historical background of the practice of representing boat symbolism. Furthermore, this thesis analyzed how these practices have been adopted in an early stage and how these practices can be attached to special meanings and identities due to their associations with places, events, and lineage groups. As the representations of boat symbolism has served as the cultural-mark for people in this region, it will be discussed how this practice has been actively involved in the construction of cultural identity for the people in this region.Show less

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Boat Symbolism and Identity in Insular Southeast Asia. A Case study from the Southeast Moluccas