【22nd Book Sharing:】Homeland, Cuisine, and Memory: Ethnographic Notes across Nanyang
On November 10, 2025 (Monday), at 7:30 PM, the Institute of International Education of New Era University College successfully hosted a book sharing session for Homeland, Cuisine, and Memory: Ethnographic Notes across Nanyang. The event invited Prof. Dr. Onn Huann Jan, the author and a professor from the Chinese Department of New Era University College, as the speaker, attracting approximately 70 participants, including postgraduate students, faculty members, and researchers.
During the session, Prof. Onn not only shared his research journey across the Nanyang region but also delved into the two core principles of fieldwork that he upholds, namely "thick description" and "internal perspective." He emphasised that these two principles are indispensable for reaching a deeper understanding of culture. Fieldwork should not merely list phenomena but should involve placing cultural phenomena within the context of historical, cross-regional, and cross-cultural frameworks. Using his research on the "Johor Ancient Temple" as an example, he explained that its value lies not only in documenting architectural forms and ceremonial practices but also in tracing how the temple evolved as it accompanied Teochew immigrants to new lands and integrated with local cultures. He shared that good research should seek to reveal the trajectory of cultural transmission and adaptation across the Nanyang region, as reflected in customs, architecture, and food.
While "thick description" provides historical depth, the "internal perspective" requires researchers to empathise and understand the world from the viewpoints and emotions of the local people. In his book, when discussing dishes such as Hainanese chicken rice or Teochew porridge, Prof. Onn focuses not on the taste itself but on exploring the identity and intergenerational memories embedded in the food. He advocates for researchers to temporarily set aside their own judgments and sincerely engage with the emotions and the representations entailed.
Outstanding fieldwork, as Prof. Onn concluded, requires both the macro-level "thick description" to construct contextual understanding and the micro-level "internal perspective" to infuse passion into the research. It is the interplay of these two principles that enables his research to present a broad cultural landscape while resonating deeply with readers. Since its publication in March 2025, the book has been well-received and already reached its third print run by July, establishing itself as a light academia work that combines readability with intellectual depth.
The event concluded with a lively Q&A session, earning unanimous praise from the participants.
