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Teochew opera is a traditional cultural performance that has been practised since the early 19th century when the Chinese Teochew immigrated to Malaysia. It is often presented as a theatrical performance dedicated to the gods during folk festivals or as entertainment. Teochew opera is associated with the beliefs and entertainment desires of Chinese immigrants and usually accompanies the traditional festivals and cultural events of the Chinese community in Malaysia. When Malaysia advanced towards modernisation in politics, economy, culture and education, Malaysian Chinese culture also underwent a modern transformation. Teochew opera, one of the Chinese cultures, is reflected in the change of its function from the sacred to the profane. This thesis analyses the performance of Teochew opera in the sacred and profane context of the Chinese community in Malaysia to illustrate the trends and challenges facing it under the influence of modernisation.
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In-Text Citation: (Ziqiao, 2023)
To Cite this Article: Ziqiao, L. (2023). From Sacred to Profane: Teochew Opera in the Malaysian Chinese Community. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 13(1), 167 – 177.
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