A Study of the Rooting and Inheritance of Lingnan Culture in Caribbean Society from the Lens of “Wu Yuan” Theory

Abstract

Since the mid-19th century, large numbers of migrants from the Lingnan region entered the Caribbean as “indentured laborers” and became involved in the local development. Through this migration, Lingnan culture has gradually taken root and continuously passed down within Caribbean society. This study adopts a socio-anthropological perspective and uses the “Wu Yuan” theory as its analytical framework. Drawing on a two-month ethnographic study conducted in Antigua and Dominica, and combining semi-structured interviews with documentary analysis, this article examines the following five dimensions, kinship bond, geographic bond, spiritual bond, material bond and occupational bond, to systematically elucidate how Lingnan culture has achieved transoceanic continuity, creative transformation, and integrative adaptation within the multiethnic and multicultural context of the Caribbean. It is revealed that Lingnan culture has not only strengthened the internal identity within the Chinese community but has also facilitated the interaction and coexistence with the local culture through various paths such as surname inheritance, social organizations, belief integration, folk traditions, and economic cooperation. The study aims to provide valuable insights into the cultural inheritance and community-building of overseas Chinese communities, as well as to offer new ideas for Sino-Caribbean cultural exchanges and cooperations.