Ancestral Homeland and Identities in Hong Kong*

doi:10.65961/hks-2026-5-001

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Hong Kong Studies ›› 2026, Vol. 5 ›› Issue (1) : 1. DOI: 10.65961/hks-2026-5-001

Ancestral Homeland and Identities in Hong Kong^*

Andrew B. Kipnis, Yuki Woo

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Abstract

This article examines the category of "ancestral homeland" through its use on columbaria niche covers in Hong Kong. By analyzing data from over 2,500 niche covers at three public columbaria in Hong Kong, as well as from focus groups conducted among people who visit columbaria over the Qing Ming holiday, we depict the variety of ways in which people interpret their identities through the category of ancestral homeland, and suggest the manner in which the relationship between the idea of an ancestral homeland and various social identities in Hong Kong are evolving.

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Andrew B. Kipnis, Yuki Woo. Ancestral Homeland and Identities in Hong Kong^*.Hong Kong Studies2026 , 5(1): 1. https://doi.org/10.65961/hks-2026-5-001

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Funding

*This work was supported by a General Research Fund grant from the Hong Kong Research Grants Council, GRF14601022. Thanks to all who worked with us or participated in our survey, focus groups, transcribing, and interviews.