- Kho Ping Hoo
Kho Ping Hoo or Asmaraman Sukowati Kho Ping Hoo (born in
Sragen ,17 August 1926 - died in Solo,22 July 1994 , zh-cp|c=許平和|p=Xǔ Pínghé) was an Indonesian author from Chinese descent. He is famous for his martial art stories with the background of China or Java. During his 30 years career, he had published at least 120 stories (according toLeo Suryadinata ).Fact|date=May 2008 However, "Forum" magazine claimed at least Kho Ping Hoo had 400 stories with the background of China and 50 stories with the background of Java.Fact|date=May 2008Despite the fact that most of his stories were based on Chinese martial art story, Kho Ping Hoo could not speak nor write Chinese. He had his inspirations from
Hong Kong andTaiwan kung fu films. He made a significant contributions to Indonesianliterature . The novels also introduce many Chinese terms in Hokkien dialects to Indonesian terms.Fact|date=May 2008Because of his inability in Chinese languages, there are a lot of historical and geographical facts of China which do not match with the real life condition. However, this was not a big deal for the fans of Kho Ping Hoo. The novels themselves never reached China or the wider Chinese speaking population.
Significance of novels
Kho Ping Ho's works mean a great deal for generations of Chinese descend growing up in Indonesia. During the
Suharto 's regime, teaching of Chinese languages, history and culture were banned. Kho Ping Ho's work became one of a few educational source of Chinese history, culture, religions even moral teachings for them.Fact|date=May 2008His body of works are mainly fictional loosely based on historical events, containing many historical inaccuracies. Still, they have been memorable and inspirational to millions of fans, they have generated curiosity and desire to learn more.
Kho Ping Ho's readership is comparable to the famous authors of similar genre from Taiwan and Hong Kong like Chin Yung and Ku Lung.Fact|date=May 2008
See also
*
Famous Indonesian Chinese
*Indonesian Chinese
*Martial arts External links
* (id) Kho Ping Hoo (1926-1994) Legenda Cerita Silat (http://www.tokohindonesia.com/ensiklopedi/k/kho-ping-hoo/index.shtml)
* (id) Penulis Takdir Pesilat Cina (http://www.suaramerdeka.com/cybernews/layar/tokoh/tokoh6.html)
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