The Alien Communal Patron Deity

ABSTRACT When many Chinese immigrants settled in the Malay peninsula in the late 19th century, they not only brought the patron gods of their homeland, but also created a new local patron deity – the alien Datuk Gong. Datuk Gong worship is a combination of Malay keramat and Chinese Bo Gong worship. Although usually regarded as a personal guardian spirit, Datuk Gong is also seen as a communal patron deity of some Chinese communities in Malaysia. Different communities shape their own images of the patron deity based on the social reality, especially that of ethnic groups in these communities. This article selects two Chinese communities in Malaysia, Broga in Negeri Sembilan and Machap Baru in Melaka, as examples of distinct types of Datuk Gong worship: Chinese spirit worship versus trans-ethnic saint worship. A comparative analysis of similar legends of Datuk Gong, and disparate rituals and development of the worship in the two communities indicates that Datuk Gong worship reflects the Chinese community’s understanding of the social reality they have experienced, and their response to changes in the social environment.