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

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.