Shaping Medan

The Role and Impact of Prominent Chinese 1890-1942

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The City of Medan on Sumatra emerged from the large-scale plantation industry. The plantations were characterized by harsh labor conditions, and frequently described as an area of suppression and struggle. In contrast, the city of Medan itself maintained a relatively harmonious atmosphere. A significant factor contributing to this harmony was the influence of nine Chinese businessmen. This book, featuring previously unpublished archival materials and interviews, explores the contributions of these prominent Chinese figures to Medan’s economic, social, healthcare, and politics..
Copyright Year:
2025
E-Book (PDF)
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Published
ISBN:
978-90-04-71618-6
Publication:
02 Dec 2024
Hardback
Availability:
Published
ISBN:
978-90-04-71619-3
Publication:
06 Dec 2024
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Dirk Aedsge Buiskool (PhD 2019) was lecturer at the University of North Sumatra and founder of Hotel Deli River in Medan. He contributed several books and journal articles about the history of Medan. He is the author of The journey of Harm Kamerlingh Onnes, published in 1999 and received the Linschoten Award. (Verloren, Netherlands)
Acknowledgements
List of Illustrations
Notes on the Author

Introduction
 1 Research Questions
 2 The Thesis
 3 Studies about Colonial Towns
 4 Studies about Chinese Communities and Plural Societies
 5 East Sumatra’s Conflict Model
 6 Outline of This Study
 7 Explanation, Sources and Interviews
 8 Spelling

1 East Sumatra: the Formation of a Plantation Economy
 1 East Sumatra: Historical Overview
  1.1 East Sumatra until Circa 1870
  1.2 From Tobacco to Oil and Rubber
  1.3 Migrant Workers
  1.4 Frontier Society
  1.5 Labour Conditions on the Plantations
  1.6 Van den Brand’s Manifesto
  1.7 Labour Inspection
 Summary

2 The City of Medan: the Emergence of an Urban Centre
 1 Colonial Character, Layout and Urban Symbols
  1.1 Layout
  1.2 Urban Symbols and Demography
 2 Town Quarters
 3 Medan as a Regional Infrastructural Centre
 4 Town Planning, Health, Housing and Land Rights
  4.1 Hygiene and Housing
  4.2 Land Rights
 5 Security and Justice
 Summary

3 Chinese Business in Medan 1890–1942
 1 General Characteristics of Chinese Business in Medan
 2 Monopolies and Revenue Farms
  2.1 Opium
  2.2 Other Tax Farms: Gambling, Liquor and Pawn Houses
  2.3 Bagan Si Api Api and the Salt Monopoly
 3 The Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Medan 1910–1942
Summary

4 The Prominent Chinese of Medan 1890–1942
 1 Leadership Categories
  1.1 Comparisons with Chinese Leadership in Singapore and Java
 2 Prominent Chinese: the Chinese Majors
  2.1 Tjong Yong Hian (1850-1911)
  2.2 Tjong A Fie (1860–1921)
  2.3 Khoe Tjin Tek (1876–1969)
 3 Other Prominent Chinese
  3.1 Tjong Hau Liong (Chang Pu Ching) (1885–1963)
  3.2 Tan Tang Ho (circa 1860–1918)
  3.3 Tan Boen An (ca. 1890–1950)
  3.4 Gan Hoat Soei (circa 1890–1967)
  3.5 Hiu Ngi Fen (1902–1977)
  3.6 Thio Siong Soe (1889–1967)
 Summary

5 Social Life of the Chinese in Medan
 1 Family Life
  1.1 The Chinese Women of Medan
 2 Religion
  2.1 Chinese Beliefs: Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism
  2.2 Christian Religion among the Chinese of Medan
 3 Chinese Non-Religious Organizations
  3.1 Clan and Professional Associations
  3.2 Political, Cultural, and Other Associations
 4 Chinese Education in Medan
  4.1 Tiong Hoa Hwe Koan Schools
  4.2 The School of Khoe Tjin Tek
  4.3 Education, Clan, Language and Politics
  4.4 The Su Tung School
 5 Public Health Care in Medan
  5.1 The Chinese Hospital
  5.2 Epidemics and Hygiene
 6 Entertainment: Sport, Music, Theatre and Cinemas
  6.1 Soccer
  6.2 Other Sports
  6.3 Music on the Esplanade
  6.4 Chinese Theatre
  6.5 Cinemas
Summary

6 Politics, Press and Perceptions
 1 Political Developments in the Netherlands Indies
  1.1 Ethical Policy
  1.2 Chinese Nationalism
 2 Local Politics: Medan Councils
  2.1 The Town Council
  2.2 Town Council Meetings
  2.3 Chinese in Politics
  2.4 Polarisation in the Netherlands Indies and in Medan
 3 The Press in Medan 1890–1942
  3.1 Dutch Newspapers in Medan
  3.2 Chinese and Malay Language Newspapers in the Netherlands Indies and in Medan
  3.3 Anti-Japanese Sentiments in the Press
 4 Censorship and Press Violations
  4.1 Articles against the Colonial Government
  4.2 Moesa against the Chinese Officers
  4.3 Sumatra News against Japan
  4.4 Press Violations in the 1930s
 5 Europeans and Chinese in the Press: Mutual Perceptions
  5.1 Western Perceptions about the Chinese
  5.2 Chinese Perceptions of Europeans
 Summary

Conclusions
 Medan as a Colonial Town
 Prominent Chinese in Medan 1890–1942
 Chinese Business in Medan
 Social Life
 Politics, Press and Perceptions
 The Prominent Chinese in Medan Compared to the Chinese in Singapore, Malaya and in Java
 Conflict and Harmony in Medan

Appendices
Old and New Streetnames in Medan
Glossary
References
Index
Students and everybody interested into Overseas Chinese Studies, South East Asian Studies, Social History, Cultural History, Gender History.
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