UPACARA WANGKANG DI MELAKA: KAJIAN TERHADAP FUNGSI DAN CABARAN DALAM PENGEKALAN WARISAN [WANGKANG CEREMONY IN MELAKA: A STUDY ON THE FUNCTIONS AND CHALLENGES IN HERITAGE PRESERVATION]

Abstract

Abstrak 

Makalah ini membincangkan fungsi dan cabaran pelaksanaan upacara Wangkang di Melaka semenjak tahun 1856. Upacara tersebut dikatakan berasal dari negara China dan kemudiannya telah dibawa masuk ke Melaka oleh para imigran Hokkien ketika zaman pemerintahan Dinasti Ching (1644 to 1911). Dalam usaha untuk mendapatkan maklumat kajian ini, pengkaji menggunakan kaedah penyelidikan sejarah iaitu kajian kepustakaan dan tinjauan di lapangan termasuk temuramah beberapa responden yang terlibat secara langsung dalam penganjuran upacara tersebut di Melaka. Hasil kajian menunjukkan bahawa pelaksanaan upacara tersebut selama tempoh 169 tahun oleh masyarakat Hokkien di Melaka telah memperlihatkan kepada kita bahawa upacara tersebut bukan sekadar suatu upacara keagamaan tetapi mempunyai kepentingan dan fungsi tertentu dalam adat dan kepercayaan masyarakat tersebut. Di samping itu, terdapat pelbagai cabaran semasa yang dihadapi oleh mereka dalam usaha untuk terus mengekalkan pelaksanaan upacara tersebut sepertimana yang diamalkan oleh nenek moyang mereka. Adalah diharapkan agar usaha pengekalan tradisi unik ini dapat terus dilaksanakan dan disokong oleh semua pihak ke arah melestarikan warisan budaya ini yang telah diiktiraf di bawah Representative List of the Intangible Heritage of Humanity secara Multi-National Nomination bersama Republik Rakyat China pada 2020 oleh pihak Pertubuhan Pendidikan, Sains dan Kebudayaan Bangsa Bangsa Bersatu (UNESCO).

Kata kunci: Wangkang, Hokkien, Melaka

Abstract 

This paper discusses the functions and challenges of the implementation of the Wangkang ceremony in Melaka since 1856. The ceremony is said to have originated in China and was later brought to Melaka by Hokkien immigrants during the Ching Dynasty (1644 to 1911). In an effort to obtain information for this study, the researcher used historical research methods, namely literature review and field surveys including interviews with several respondents who were directly involved in organizing the ceremony in Melaka. The results of the study show that the implementation of the ceremony for a period of 169 years by the Hokkien community in Melaka has shown us that the ceremony is not just a religious ceremony but has certain importance and functions in the customs and beliefs of the community. In addition, there are various current challenges faced by them in an effort to continue to maintain the implementation of the ceremony as practiced by their ancestors. It is hoped that efforts to preserve this unique tradition can continue to be implemented and supported by all parties towards preserving this cultural heritage which has been recognized under the Representative List of the Intangible Heritage of Humanity in a Multi-National Nomination with the People's Republic of China in 2020 by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

Keywords: Wangkang, Hokkien, Malacca