英文摘要 |
Formed in the late nineteenth century, Hokkien immigrants built seven clan jetties on Penang's waterfront. Given their unique geographical location between the sea and the island, they provide a niche for sea-related job opportunities. At the same time, the jetties have been saturated with various images of notoriety. In this article, the concept of “fluid marginality” is adopted to understand various historical situations of the Clan Jetties, which also reflect importantly on the processes of Penang's development. This fluid marginality which stemmed from their borderland conditions, along with rich sensory experiences, informs the daily lives and collective identities of residents. Since 2008, following the listing of George Town as a World Heritage Site, the Clan Jetties have come to be seen as mainly a tourist spot and gradually lost their close connections with the sea. This ethnography aims to capture the neglected living experiences and social conditions of Chinese working class communities. |