By Sim Chuin Peng

 

Nestled within Level 5 of the NUS Central Library is the Chinese Southeast Asia Collection, a gateway to the rich cultural heritage of the region in the Chinese language. This prized collection began in 1982, when the library curated a special assemblage—dedicated to preserving the Chinese literary and historical works of Singapore and Malaysia, comprising 3,500 distinct books and periodicals. Among them are over 600 book titles, more than 60 journals, commemorative publications, and unique publications bearing the seal of the Resource Centre of Singapore-Malaysian Literature (新马华文学资料室), an esteemed establishment set up in 1978 at the Nanyang University Department of Chinese Studies.

In 1986, the collection expanded considerably with the acquisition of over a thousand rare pre-World War II materials from the Nanyang Commercial Tuition School (南洋工商补习学校). By 1992, a significant contribution from Singaporean-Malaysian writer Lee Hung Ben (李宏贲, 1914-1991, better known by his pen name Li Ru Lin 李汝琳) added 821 volumes of 723 Chinese literary works, including 179 out-of-print titles and 391 with author dedications. A bibliography of books donated by him, titled 李宏贲先生赠书目录 (List of books donated by Mr Lee Hung Ben), was compiled in commemoration. Recognising the need to capture a broader spectrum of Southeast Asian cultural narratives, the library established the Southeast Asia Chinese Collection in the same year.

Today, this collection has grown remarkably, boasting over 34,463 printed documents and 12,410 microform materials. 60% of the collection features documents from Singapore and Malaysia, with the remainder from countries such as Thailand, Philippines, and Indonesia. The collection has been significantly bolstered by generous funding from the family of the late Mr Wan Boo Sow, through an endowment fund dedicated to acquiring materials focused on Southeast Asia. 

Beyond the systematic procurement of commercially available publications, the library has leveraged its strategic regional location to actively collect non-commercially available materials. Efforts have been especially extensive in West and East Malaysia, as well as Brunei.

Commemorative publications such as those from the Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan feature prominently within our collection of non-commercially available materials. We also source for  anniversary books and historical records from Chinese schools, trade associations and religious institutions, offering unique insights into Southeast Asia’s educational, religious, cultural and social history. 

Here’s a quick look at what else is in the Chinese Southeast Asia Collection.

• An extensive array of Chinese newspapers published in Southeast Asia during the late 18th and 19th centuries. It includes original copies, reprints, and microfilms of historic newspapers such as Singapore’s earliest Chinese newspaper, Lat Pau (叻报), Thailand’s longest-running Chinese newspaper, Sing Sian Yit Pao (星暹日报), Brunei’s Salam (沙蓝油报), Indonesia’s Sin Po (新报), as well as Malaysia’s Penang Sin Poe (槟城新报) and Kwong Wah Yit Poh (光华日报), among over a hundred other titles. According to Fang Xiu (方修, originally named Goh Tze Kwong 吴之光, 1922-2010), a pioneer of Singaporean literature since the 1950s, these old newspapers are invaluable—not only for their historical significance but also because they reflect a unique and relatively comprehensive coverage of the region’s cultural heritage.
• Over 100 Chinese periodical titles, published before World War II such as Bulletin of the Institute of Southeast Asia (南洋研究), China and Malaysia (中国与南洋), Chong Hock Garden (崇福园地), Yeung Ching School Monthly Education Magazine (养正学校月刊), Malaya Monthly (马来亚月刊),  Southern Youth (南国少年), Thailand Studies (泰国研究), Zhongyuan Monthly (中原月刊), Journal of the South Seas Society (南洋学报), and The Chinese Overseas Monthly (华侨月刊), among others. These periodicals document historical events, cultural exchanges, and socio-economic developments in the region, offering primary source materials crucial for research.
• Over 100 genealogies, numerous local gazetteers, and nearly 11,000 literary works providing unique insights into family lineages, regional histories, literary developments, and the everyday lives of ordinary people. Together, they create a rich tapestry of information essential for understanding the cultural and historical contexts of Southeast Asian Chinese communities. Noteworthy collections include the Chua Boon Hean private collection of Shaw Organisation film scripts, Chen Zili private collection of Guangdong Han scripts, and Putian puppet theatre scripts. These resources offer a wealth of material for exploring the influences and evolution of Chinese popular culture in those days. More about them will be unveiled in our upcoming 120 Stories so stay tuned.

To help researchers navigate and access the wealth of information in our library, we developed a series of essential print catalogues that provide structured, organised entry points into our Southeast Asian collection. These include:

• Catalogue of Southeast Asian Material in the Chinese Library of the National University of Singapore (馆藏南洋研究中文资料目录) in 1990
• Primary Materials on Chinese Education in Singapore, 1819-1959 (新加坡华文教育原始文献叙录初编, 1819-1959)
• A Bibliography on the Publications of Singapore Chinese Clan Associations (新加坡宗乡会馆出版书刊目录) in 2007
• Research Materials on the Teochew Community in Southeast Asia in the Special Collection of the NUS Chinese Library: An Annotated Bibliography (东南亚潮人研究中文资料辑录) in 2012. 

The last two were produced in collaboration with external institutions. 

Since 1998, we have embarked on an on-going initiative to digitise valuable Southeast Asian Chinese historical documents that are copyright free. By digitising and making them available online for free, the initiative not only promotes open access and resource sharing among Southeast Asian researchers, it also serves to preserve these precious documents for future generations.

Both local and international scholars, are drawn to this multi-disciplinary collection by its rich narratives of Chinese communities interwoven with the history of Southeast Asia. These scholars delve deep into the collection to unravel complex stories of lineage, migration patterns, and cultural integration, each thread contributing to the intricate tapestry of the region’s history and culture.

Among them are scholars like Dr Lam Lap, an Associate Professor in the Department of Chinese Studies at NUS. To Dr Lam, the collection is more than just a compendium of resources; it is a portal to the past, offering unparalleled insights into the Chinese communities’ role in regional development. 

Dr Wong Sin Kiong, another esteemed professor in the department, shares a similar appreciation. His course, CH6248: Studies in Sino-Southeast Asian Interactions, utilises our rare books and historical newspapers to bring the subject matter to life. The digital accessibility of these materials allows students to explore them more deeply and flexibly, enriching their understanding and inspiring new avenues of inquiry.

Meanwhile, Dr Yap Soo Ei, a Research Fellow, discovers endless value in the collection for her course, CHC5339: Chinese Diaspora and Mass Media in the 20th Century. The Digital Gems collection, with its assortment of old newspapers, journals, and personal letters, becomes an essential component of her students’ assignments. 

We extend our sincere gratitude to Dr Lam Lap, Dr Wong Sin Kiong, and Dr Yap Soo Ei for their deep appreciation for Chinese Southeast Asia Collection. Their invaluable insights and feedback highlight the collection’s critical role in deepening the understanding of Southeast Asia’s history, and enriching academic exploration. We are grateful for their continued dedication and support.

 

References

方修. (1967). 星大所藏旧报章的文学史料价值. 新加坡大学中文学会学报(8). pp. 8-12.

王学深. (2020). 新加坡国立大学中文图书馆数字化馆藏探析. 山东图书馆学刊(05), 98-103. 

张志清.(1998). 南洋研究资料的宝库——访新加坡国立大学中文图书馆. 北京图书馆馆刊(04),113-116.

沈俊平. (2016). 新加坡国立大学中文图书馆东南亚中文文献特藏. 华侨华人文献学刊, (02), 3 pages.

新加坡国立大学中文图书馆. (1992). 李宏贲先生赠书目录. 新加坡: 新加坡国立大学中文图书馆.

南洋商报. (1978, September 7). 南大中文系成立新马华文学资料室. 南洋商报, p. 28. Retrieved from https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/nysp19780907-1.2.51.6