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Ethnography As A Tool To Study Post-Colonial Identity
Ethnographic research is a useful way to gain insight into the multifaceted cultural identities that emerge in postcolonial societies after independence from colonial rule. Scholars in cultural studies have increasingly focused attention on exploring issues of race, ethnicity, and identity politics in the postcolonial era. This book provides examples of postcolonial literature that give voice to formerly oppressed peoples, allowing them to reassert and take pride in their own cultural identities and heritages.
The term, “postcolonial” portrays the diverse societies around the world that were subject to European colonization and are still dealing with enduring political, social, and cultural impacts in both the colonial and present-day post-independence eras. Through rich qualitative investigations, ethnography can explain the complex dynamics of individual and group identities in these societies as they fight against colonial legacies while also reconnecting with pre-colonial languages, beliefs, traditions and ways of life.
Ethnography is a valuable tool for studying postcolonial cultures because it provides an in-depth understanding of these societies.
Key ways ethnography assists in analysis:
- Allows immersive contextual understanding of cultural practices, social interactions, &daily life
- Captures marginalized voices and overlooked narratives
- Uncovers complex hybrid identities formed through intersection of indigenous and colonial influences
- Examines enduring power dynamics and social hierarchies inherited from colonialism
- Reveals how communities respond to/resist/adapt to colonial legacies
- Demonstrates how colonialism continues to manifest in spheres of life
- Challenges dominant historical narratives by offering different viewpoints
Ethnography helps us deeply understand postcolonial cultures by exploring lived experiences, social connections, resistance, and how colonial legacies affect different parts of society. This gives us a better understanding of these cultures.
What is identity?
What is identity?
The act of consuming represents a significant phase in shaping our identities and self-perceptions. Our understanding of personal identity and how we present ourselves to others is closely linked to this process. Cultural studies investigates the mechanisms behind how we develop our individuality, how we are shaped as individuals, and our emotional connections to the ways we define ourselves (Barker & Emma Jane, 2004, p. 13). This portfolio focuses on the role of ethnicity and race in constructing one's sense of self after liberation.
She describes herself as a girl deeply attached to her island and the sea, highlighting the profound connection she feels with the ocean. Moana proudly acknowledges her lineage as the daughter of the village chief and takes pride in her ancestry of voyagers. She further expresses her pride in her identity, emphasizing how it empowered her to navigate challenges, reach hard places, and overcome obstacles in order to help her village.
This scene from my favorite movie, Moana, stands out to me as a powerful representation of someone discovering, exploring, and reaffirming their identity. Initially, Moana expresses doubts about her ability to complete her journey and save her people. However, her grandmother's conversation with her prompts a moment of introspection. When asked, "do you know who you are?" Moana initially appears confused but gradually begins to articulate aspects of her identity, rekindling her self-assurance.
What is ethnicity?
What is ethnicity?
Ethnicity encompasses cultural elements such as customs, beliefs, symbols, and practices delineating cultural boundaries (Barker & Emma Jane, 2004, p. 28). 'Ethnic groups' revolve around shared cultural characteristics shaped by historical, societal, and political factors, fostering a shared sense of belonging grounded in common narratives. It emerges through how we talk about group identities and relate to the symbols that define ethnicity. Ethnicity is relational, involving both self-identification and societal categorization. It's best comprehended as a process of “boundary formation” influenced by specific socio-historical contexts (Barker & Emma Jane, 2004, p. 298).
what is race?
what is race?
The idea of race is rooted in the historical context of social Darwinism, emphasizing the notions of 'lineage' and 'human classifications' (Barker & Emma Jane, 2004, p. 296). In this context, race pertains to presumed biological and physical attributes, notably skin color. These characteristics, often associated with qualities like 'intelligence' and 'abilities', are employed to categorize 'racialized' groups within a hierarchy of societal and material superiority or inferiority. Furthermore, 'racialization' highlights that race is a social construct, not universally biological or cultural (Barker & Emma Jane, 2004, p. 28). Racial classifications, influenced by power dynamics, serve as the foundation of racism. Races aren't independent entities but are shaped within representation, emerging from social and political power dynamics (Barker & Emma Jane, 2004, p. 28). The concept of race poses issues due to its ties to biological ideologies of inherent superiority or inferiority. Nevertheless, the notion of racialization or race construction emphasizes the dynamics of power, authority, and dominance (Barker & Emma Jane, 2004, p. 28). Therefore, comprehending cultural identities requires analyzing how these intersecting discussions intertwine and influence one another (Barker & Emma Jane, 2004, p. 28)
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