An alumna of the Religious and Cross-cultural Studies (CRCS) Master Program at the Graduate School of Universitas Gadjah Mada, Astrid Syifa Salsabila, shared the findings of her thesis research at the Wednesday Forum (May 7th). It was held in Classroom 307 on the 3rd floor of the UGM Graduate School building, the Wednesday Forum is a weekly discussion attended by CRCS students and faculty to explore various topics related to religion and culture.
Astrid’s research focuses on how Chinese-Indonesian Catholics in Muntilan, Central Java, navigate the dynamics of identity between their Catholic faith and Chinese cultural heritage. There are different views on the extent to which they can maintain Chinese cultural practices—such as participating in temple rituals—while remaining devout Catholics.
“During my six-month research in Muntilan, I engaged in discussions with local communities and found that Christianity often leads Chinese people to abandon their ancestral traditions. This perception has caused many Chinese Indonesians to stop visiting Chinese temples,” Astrid explained.
Her research uses the concept of hybrid identity and distinguishes between official and popular Christianity to understand how these individuals construct their identity as Chinese-Indonesian Catholics. Factors such as family, education, and ancestral reverence shape their perspectives on both the church and the temple. The celebration of Chinese New Year Mass is a concrete example of how this identity is institutionally expressed.
Astrid concludes that the identity of Chinese-Indonesian Catholics is not a monolithic concept, as each individual expresses and constructs their identity in their own personal way. This identity also reflects how Catholic teachings are experienced in daily life and interpreted through local characteristics—beyond church doctrine—allowing laypeople to express their personal religiosity.
The Wednesday Forum continues to foster dialogue and contributes to greater understanding and conflict resolution among diverse religious and cultural groups. Astrid’s findings highlight the significance of cultural preservation within religious identity and reinforce the crucial role of education in addressing the challenges faced by communities.
Writer: Asti Rahmaningrum