Ade Irfan Abdurahman, M.Si., Universitas Islam Syekh Yusuf (Unis) ([email protected]) Sofy Tiara Kanita, Universitas Islam Syekh Yusuf (Unis) ([email protected])
Winda Ade Putri, Universitas Islam Syekh Yusuf (Unis) ([email protected]) Rinni Komala, Universitas Islam Syekh Yusuf (Unis) ([email protected]) Halimatus Safitri, Universitas Islam Syekh Yusuf (Unis) ([email protected])
Ade Eka Nurafni, Universitas Islam Syekh Yusuf (Unis) ([email protected]) Dea Ratna Suminar,. Universitas Islam Syekh Yusuf (Unis) ([email protected])
ABSTRACT
This research is about nonverbal meaning of Chinese cemetery Boen Tek Bio. Aim to find the meaning of layout Chinese cemetery, irregularities, the different in shapes and sizes of each other.
Analyzed by qualitative descriptive methods, researchers found that irregularities and differences in shape and size of Chinese cemetery boen tek bio have certain nonverbal meanings. The nonverbal meaning of graves depends on the different fengshui from each person, seen from the date of birth, name, and year of birth that often called shio. Otherwise, the size and shape of the building depends on the economy and the family.
Keyword: Nonverbal Communication, Descriptive Qualitative, Chinese Cemetery, Boen Tek Bio, Fengshui, Shio.
1. PENDAHULUAN
The cemetery is a place that used for the dead peoples are buried. In Indonesia, the cemetery is usually in the form of a mound, which is marked and included with a tombstone named with dead people as an identity.
The size and shape of the cemetery usually related to someone‘s beliefs. In certain religions for example there is a prohibition on making pictures and raising a cemetery, the cemetery must be as simple as possible, in order they heart free from the meaning of pride or arrogant.
But on the contrary for Chinese people. Chinese Cemeteries in Indonesia are unique. The uniqueness can be seen from the form of cemeteries, gravestones, and the roof of the cemeteries.
The Chinese cemetery usually bigger than common. The size of the gravestone, the shape of cemetery and the presence or absence the roof of cemetery differ from one and other. Some information states that the different of Chinese cemetery architectures show the socio-economic status of the dead and their family.
Every year, a grave pilgrimage tradition called Cheng Beng is held. Ceng Beng celebration held on 5 April. According to Aji Chen (https://travel.tempo.co), during Cheng Beng's celebration, people will visit the Chinese cemetery or temples. Those who celebrate will clean the graves, pray for the dead, or pray for the cremation ashes in the temple.
The uniqueness of architecture and the celebration of Cheng Beng ritual causing the Chinese cemetery become historical and cultural tourist attraction were quite attractive today. Therefore, it is very important to find out more about the uniqueness of the Chinese cemetery especially about the meaning of different in shape and size, combined with how their notions and beliefs about the death. Than we can find the relation of cemetery, history and culture of Chinese people in Indonesia.
In this study, we research the meaning of nonverbal messages in Chinese cemetery.
Nonverbal studies in communication studies especially in Indonesia is not famous. However, this does not mean this research insignificant and cannot be improve. The study of nonverbal communication according to Larry A. Samovar, Richard E. Porter, Edwin R. McDaniel (2010: 244) is important because people use this message system to express attitudes, feelings, and emotions.
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Procedur reader
In addition, we also know that one of tradition in communication science is the study of meaning. The focus of this tradition is on how messages, or texts, are interpreted, and their meaning produced by humans. This meaning depends on the rules of the text and human culture.
In this tradition the study of communication means the study of text and culture. The main method is semiotics (the science of signs and meanings). In semiotics the meaning is the result of the construction of the sign interacted with the recipient, and the meaning is produced by them.
Someone who different in culture and has a different social experience, will be interpret a text in a different way. The difference in meaning according to this tradition is not communication failure.
(Fiske, 1990: 2-3).
Communication is not limited to the message send from the sender to the receiver, but also an interconnected structure, both the sender and receiver produce meaning and a dynamic interaction occurs, the structural relationship can be seen in the following models:
Picture 1.2. Messsage and meaning, adapted form John Fiske (1990:4)
From some of these explanations, we believe that the study of meaning is an important part of communication science, especially the study of nonverbal meanings. In this study we make the cemetery as a referent where the meaning of nonverbal messages from the cemetery interpreted by the communicator or the communicant.
Nonverbal studies in this research we associate with the concept of Power Distance, a dimension of cultural value offered by Hofstede (Samovar, et al: 203) who classifies culture in a continuum of high and low strength distances. He summarizes the concept of power distance in the following way: "Power distance as a cultural characteristic determines the extent to which people who are less powerful in society accept inequality in power and regard it as normal. In my opinion, the concept of power distance, can be found in nonverbal meaning of Chinese cemetery cause to build the cemetery need a land and a lot of cost.
One of the interesting cemetery is the Chinese cemetery of Boen Tek Bio located in Tangerang City. The Boen Tek Bio cemetery is an integral part of the culture and history of Tangerang City which is also become an evidence of history the Chinese community that has existed in the city for a long time.
Gambar 1. Foto kuburan China boen tek bio yang memiliki tingkat kekuasaan tinggi atau memiliki tahta
tinggi pada tahun 1901-an.
Message text
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So, based on the beginning, the research questions in this study are as follows:
1. What is the Chinese views about the death?
2. What is the meaning of nonverbal communication in Chinese Cemetery Boen Tek Bio?
2. RESEARCH METHODS
This study aims to seek the meaning of Chinese cemetery from its size and shape. Therefore, the research used in this study is a qualitative approach with descriptive methods that aims to describe meaning.
Through interviews, field observations, and document studies, this research is intended to describe the meaning of Chinese Cemetery. The Chinese cemetery Boen Tek Bio was chosen because the management still retains Chinese culture.
This study used purposive random sampling techniques to choose an informant. The number of people as informant has been determined before mastering the data. In other words, the Key Person is used as information with the data structure when it‘s done. (Bungin, 2011: 108).
In this study the informant was a resident and also the administrator of the Chinese Cemetery Boen Tek Bio who mastered the information about the Chinese Cemetery Boen Tek Bio.
The Information from informant then processed and combined with the findings from documentation study. Research also checks the information that collected from different sources intended to found the accurate information.
3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Chinese Society's View about the Death
Three years ago (2015) daily mail (www.dailymail.co.uk), reported that Archaeologists were digged at the royal tombs of the Marquis of Haihun State of the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 24) uncovered large quantities of gold over the festive period. Gold plates are among the valuable items unearthed at the cemetery of a Chinese emperor who died thousands of years ago.
Just like thousand years ago, according to our informant, bring valuable thing into the cemetery also found now. The family of the dead usually fill the cemetery with the best items that were liked and loved during life such as; gold necklaces, gold watches, clothes and equipment or items used before. Valuables and favorite items brought to the cemetery can also asked before by the dead.
However, according to our informant Koko Picis, for the present carrying valuables item into the cemetery was not recommended because of regulations aimed to avoid possible crime.
Although, many families still carrying the valuable item, or change it with imitation item.
The belief of carrying valuable items into a cemetery in the traditions of Chinese society is actually closely related to how their beliefs and views about the death and life after death.
According to Chinese Culture Observer, Agni Malagina as quoted from kompas.com (08/02/2018) the Chinese people views about death is as follows:
"Traditional Chinese people believe that dead people will move to another world. The world is similar like the world today. His soul still need what he needed or he used in the real world. So when buried the traditional Chinese people will wear the best clothes and all favorite items during their life. Such as cloths, toys, jewelry, aides or bodyguards for example, during the dynasty there were 'friends' to accompany the master or emperor. "
Descriptif analysis
seeks
Nonverbal communicatio
n
Meaning of Chinese Cemetery
Gambar 2 Descriptif analysis of this study
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The Chinese people believe that after death they will move to another world similar to the world today. They believe that in new life still needs something. This is the reason behind bringing things into the cemetery.
This fact explains to us that the items carried by the families of the dead are not ordinary items that are not meaningful. Rather, in their belief the items will be useful and used in the next life.
Therefore, they have to fill the best items to the cemetery.
The Meaning of Layout and Shape of Chinese Cemetery
Based on the results of interviews and field observations, the layout of the Chinese cemetery Boen Tek Bio was based on Fengshui. Fengshui can be known by name, date of birth, and year of birth (Shio). The layout of the Chinese cemetery is placed in accordance with the direction of his luck.
According to Juwita Gunawan Wijaya, Ningsih, Sugiato Lim, Fengshui (thesis.binus.ac.id) is often used as a guide by the Chinese community in building a cemetery. Starting from choosing a place until the direction of a cemetery is always arranged based on Fengshui. For Chinese people, taking care of funeral rituals, will create a satisfaction for the dead. Satisfaction of the dead will have an impact on his family, so that he can be blessed.
As for the size and shape. The size and shape of the cemetery are judged by the authority and economy, if they are have the authority or wealth people, the shape will be large, magnificent and has good carvings. The cemetery will be decorated as good as possible. Whereas for peoples, who do not have an authority and poor, the size is smaller or just cremated.
"Most of them cannot buy the grave land, because the price is very expensive, so they prefer to be cremated and the ashes are stored to be taken home by the family." Koko Picis told us.
Other studies prove this fact. According to Yulia Masruroh, Bagus Haryono, Argyo Demartoto (2015: 39) Chinese cemetery are a symbol of prestige and identity for the Chinese community. The prestige arise because not all citizens of Chinese descent are able to make cemetery for their families who have died.
4. CONCLUSION
5. The conclusion of this study, can be seen in the following table:
Referent Nonverbal Meaning The goods
brough to the cemetery
Loved items during life, and will be used in life after the death The layout of
the Chinese Cemetery
The direction of his luck which will result in the fortune of the family left behind.
The size and shape of the cemetery
related to the concept of power distance
The Chinese people's view of their deaths was the reason behind bringing things into the cemetery. Goods brought into the cemetery were the loved items during life, and will be used in life after the death.
The layout of the Chinese Cemetery Boen Tek Bio is based on Fengshui. The layout of the Chinese cemetery is placed in accordance with the direction of his luck which will result in the fortune of the family left behind.
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Whereas, for the different of large, size, forms of cemetery were closely related to the concept of power distance, which is assessed as the power of the authority and the economy. Where people are have authority and wealth, the shape will be large, and has good carvings. However, for people who do not have an authority and poor, the form is smaller or they choose the dead to be cremated.
BIBLIOGRAPHY Journal
thesis.binus.ac.id/Doc/WorkingPaper/2014-2-01132-MD%20WorkingPaper001.pdf
Yulia Masruroh, Bagus Haryono, Argyo Demartoto. Pemaknaan Bong Pay Pada Warga Keturunan Tionghoa Di Kelurahan Sudiroprajan Surakarta. Jurnal Analisa Sosiologi April 2015, 4(1): 32 – 43
Books
Bungin, Burhan. (2011). Penelitian Kualitatif. Komunikasi, Ekonomi, Kebijakan Publik, dan Ilmu Sosial. Jakarta: Prenada Kencana.
Fiske, John. 1990. Introduction to Communication Studies. 2n ed. London: Routledge.
Mulyana, Deddy (2010). Metodologi Penelitian Kualitatif.: Remaja Rosdakarya
Samovar Larry: Richard Porter,& Edwin McDaniel: (2007). Communication Between Culture: The Challenge of The Future. Wadsworth Cengage
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https://travel.kompas.com/read/2018/02/08/180832627/mengapa-makam-tionghoa-berukuran- besar-ini-penjelasannya.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3375474/Gold-plates-coins-valuable-haul-unearthed- archaeologists-2-000-year-old-royal-tombs-China.html
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