The ethnic Chinese minority in Indonesia is a heterogeneous group. Many have been acculturated and have generated an Indonesian Chinese culture that is unique and yet deeply rooted in Indonesian society. In education, literature and the press, the ethnic Chinese have been largely assimilated into local society. In religion, assimilation has taken on a different form: Chinese minority religions are highly Indonesianized while retaining some Chinese characteristics. Ironically, the success of the ethnic Chinese in the economic field can be attributed not to their acculturation, but to their migrant culture and ethos, as well as the Chinese networks in Southeast Asia and beyond. The ten papers in this book some previously published, all substantially revised and updated to include recent developments adopt a thematic and historical approach in examining the developing of ethnic Chinese culture and society in Indonesia.

This study analyzes pribumi (indigenous Indonesian) perception of the Chinese minority and asks how these perceptions, modified by economic and political constraints, manifest themselves in government policies towards this trading minority and towards China. It covers the period from 1949, when Indonesia became a sovereign state, to 1975, when the New Order Government abolished Special National Schools for the Chinese. This new edition has been updated by the addition of a new postscript by the author.

This volume honours, and reflects on, the life and work of the Australian Indonesianist, Charles A. Coppel. His interests -- reflected in this volume -- are broad, ranging from history, politics, legal issues, and violence against the Chinese, through to culture and religion. The chapters in the volume, contributed by scholars from Australia, Indonesia, Europe, and Singapore, also all reflect a theme, inspired by Charles Coppels expression, remembering, distorting, forgetting, by which he drew attention to misrepresentations of the Chinese, seeking to locate the realities behind the myths that form the basis for the racism and xenophobia the Chinese have often experienced in Indonesia.

The book shows how the Chinese minority is much more diverse, and the picture much richer and more complicated, than previous studies have allowed. Subjects covered include the historical development of Chinese communities in peripheral areas of Indonesia, the religious practices of Chinese Indonesians, which are by no means confined to "Chinese" religions, and Chinese ethnic events, where a wide range of Indonesians, not just Chinese, participate.

The Chinese in Indonesia have played an important role in Indonesian society before and after the fall of Soeharto. This book provides comprehensive and up-to-date information by examining them in detail during that era with special reference to the post-Soeharto period. The contributors to this volume consist of both older- and younger-generation scholars writing on Indonesian Chinese. They offer new information and fresh perspectives on the issues of government policies, legal position, ethnic politics, race relations, religion, education and prospects of the Chinese Indonesians.