From Land to Legacy: The Interplay of Necronyms and Social Stratification in Cina Benteng

Authors

  • Sonya Ayu Kumala

    Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Universitas Buddhi Dharma, Banten 15115, Indonesia
  • Dwikka Muzakky Anan Taturia

    Faculty of Social Science, Culture, and Political Science, Universitas Pembangunan Nasional (UPN) Veteran, East Java 60294, Indonesia
  • Riris Mutiara Paulina Simamora

    Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Universitas Buddhi Dharma, Banten 15115, Indonesia
  • Jeni Harianto

    Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Universitas Buddhi Dharma, Banten 15115, Indonesia
  • Satwiko Budiono

    Research Center for Language and Literature Preservation, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), DKI Jakarta 12710, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30564/fls.v7i6.9839
Received: 2 May 2025 | Revised: 20 May 2025 | Accepted: 30 May 2025 | Published Online: 12 June 2025

Abstract

Cemetery names (necronyms) serve as linguistic, cultural, and historical markers that reflect social stratification, migration history, and identity retention within the Cina Benteng community in Indonesia. This study examines how necronyms function as more than burial site identifiers by encoding class distinctions, ancestral connections, and generational linguistic shifts. Utilizing a multimethod approach that includes cemetery name documentation, semi-structured interviews with community members, and historical records analysis, the study categorizes cemetery names based on phonological, morphological, and semantic patterns to explore their role in identity preservation and cultural adaptation. Findings reveal that necronyms reinforce social stratification, with elite families securing named burial sites that emphasize lineage and status, while lower-class cemeteries are often designated with generic or geographically descriptive names. Associative meanings in cemetery names highlight the community’s migration history, with references to ancestral origins in China (e.g., Fujian, Guangdong) and symbolic representations of resilience, survival, and integration. Emotive necronyms encode collective memory, reinforcing spiritual beliefs through cemetery names that emphasize peace, honor, and ancestral reverence. Linguistic analysis indicates a gradual shift from traditional Chinese phonetics and morphological structures toward Indonesianized and hybridized naming conventions, reflecting broader socio-political and linguistic integration trends. Older cemetery names retain Mandarin and Hokkien phonetic elements, while newer cemeteries increasingly adopt Indonesian and English-influenced names, reflecting a generational transformation in identity perception. The study also finds that commercial and modern burial practices have influenced the shift toward neutralized and marketable necronyms, prioritizing accessibility and emotional resonance over cultural specificity.

Keywords:

Necronymslinguistic; Identity; Social Stratification; Onomastics; Sociolinguistics

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How to Cite

Kumala, S. A., Taturia, D. M. A., Simamora, R. M. P., Harianto, J., & Budiono, S. (2025). From Land to Legacy: The Interplay of Necronyms and Social Stratification in Cina Benteng. Forum for Linguistic Studies, 7(6), 860–879. https://doi.org/10.30564/fls.v7i6.9839

Issue

Vol. 7 , Iss. 6 (July 2025)

Article Type

Article

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Copyright © 2025 Sonya Ayu Kumala, Dwikka Muzakky Anan Taturia, Riris Mutiara Paulina Simamora, Jeni Harianto, Satwiko Budiono

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This is an open access article under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0) License.