Architectural Characteristics of Guangdong Guild Halls in Guangxi Region Within the Context of Cantonese Merchant Culture
摘要
Guild Halls in China began to emerge during the Ming and Qing dynasties, established by merchants and immigrants who were residing away from their hometowns. These halls served as community centers for people from the same regions, facilitating both commercial and social activities. Specifically, Guangdong Guild Halls were established by Cantonese merchants and immigrants. Leveraging the Xijiang River transportation system that spans across Guangxi, these merchants engaged in extensive commercial trade activities, not only dominating the commercial landscape of Guangxi but also spreading Guangdong Guild Halls throughout the region. This article synthesizes historical documents and previous research to present the distribution of Guangdong Guild Halls in Guangxi. It includes field surveys and mappings of several well-preserved Guangdong Guild Halls, analyzing the material space to summarize the functional activities of the Cantonese merchants at that time, the spiritual space to deduce their deity beliefs, and the exquisite decorations to reflect their cultural pursuits. Further comparative studies of these guild halls reveal the inheritance of architectural styles from the typical ancestral halls of Guangzhou Prefecture. By summarizing the architectural features of Guangdong Guild Halls, the article aims to showcase the interaction between architecture and cultural identity.