Construction Of Cultural Identity Research Articles

Muslim Cosmopolitanism in Rural Bangladesh: The Construction of Power Dynamics vis-à-vis Cosmopolitan Identity

The article addresses how the migrant Bangladeshi workers, in their bid to be a part of the Middle Eastern Muslim Cosmopolis, make sense of the negotiation between the concepts of nation-state and umma. The article also examines whether these migrants’ endorsement of a ‘foreign’ Muslim culture in Bangladesh has created a community of ‘other’ Muslims perceived to be less Muslim because of being less exposed to the Middle East culture. In a rapidly changing context in terms of cultural identification, it is pertinent to investigate if the power, prestige, and privilege that these Bangladeshi migrants enjoy in Bangladesh rely solely on their becoming ‘better’ Muslims or rather chiefly stem from their monetary gain. The article explores whether a good financial status becomes the driving force in creating the Muslim ‘other,’ and how it has been inspiring others to migrate to the Middle East to become successful and ‘Global’ Muslim Citizens. The concepts of umma and cosmopolitan constitute the conceptual framework of the study. The study also presents a critique of cultural influence and identity construction based on faith. In addition, some migrants were interviewed to reflect upon their experience and the role of religious affiliation in the construction of cosmopolitan Muslim identity. Both collective conscience and the sense of religious affinity are addressed.

The post-colonial novel and the re-construction of national identity in Morocco: conflicts and paradoxes

ABSTRACT Tainted by decades of direct colonial influence, Moroccan cultural identity in the postcolonial era became the battleground for conflicting discourses and competing voices grappling for recognition and dominance. The project of cultural decolonisation and national identity construction was avidly endorsed by Moroccan nationalist authors whose ‘engaged’ literature aimed at resurrecting Moroccanness on solid Islamic and nationalist foundations. Modernist writers, however, espoused a different vision that is based on modernisation, liberalism and secularism. Some other writers wrote ‘undesirable’ literature that is highly individualistic and unconcerned with the question of identity. The cultural scene in general and the novel genre in particular, being a new and a widely receptive genre, vehicled these postcolonial conflicting discourses and ideologies and reflected the discursive and ideological heterogeneity of postcolonial Morocco. This article sheds light on this heterogeneity as manifested in the works of prominent Moroccan post-colonial novelists. I, therefore, contend that there were several literatures at play subsequent to Morocco’s political independence; one is progressive, another reactionary, and the other is ahistorical; all representing the three major currents of post-colonial Moroccan literature.

The Construction of Oriental Women's Cultural Identity in an Intercultural Context —— The Example of the Novel “Siao Yu”

As a masterpiece of Chinese writer Yan Geling's short stories, The Young Girl Little Fisherman focuses on the plight and the way out of the "other" status of oriental women in a cross-cultural context. This article takes Siao Yu, the main character of The Young Girl, as an example, and focuses on the construction of Oriental women's cultural identity from an intercultural perspective, exploring how Oriental women can gradually construct their own cultural identity and find a way out of the East-West cultural identity while maintaining their own characteristics and looking at themselves and others.

Activists of themselves: Liminality of Instagram and its role in the ethnic identity construction processes of third generation British Sikhs to their imagined identities

As a result of the rapid evolution of computer culture, social media and networking websites now provide the primary socialisation platforms for individuals across the world. With characteristics such as transcending time, space, and even cultures, these platforms impact individuals through increased interactions. Although past research shows how social media impacts on individuals’ cultural affiliations and identity construction processes, research neglects to understand the role and impact of the characteristics of social media and networking environments as individuals engage in these virtual spaces. This paper uses Instagram as a case study, to demonstrate the liminal nature of social media spaces and looks at how this virtual space and its characteristics evoke a sense of reflexivity with regards to identity construction amongst young British Sikhs in the U.K. We highlight how the empowering characteristics of this virtual space impact their identity and just how the communities that are formed by individuals through Instagram, act as a further acculturative agent, as they attempt to deal with the tensions that they experience as a result of being both British and Sikh. Findings implicate how brands can engage with and support the individuals going through this reflective identity re/construction process.

Moroccan subaltern voices narrated: the historical imaginary of race and the legacy of slavery in Rabbaj’s Le Lutteur [The Wrestler] and El Hachimi’s Dhākirat al-narjis [The Daffodil’s Memory

ABSTRACT Nation in Moroccan historiography writings has traditionally been described as culturally, ethnically and racially homogeneous; an all-encompassing discourse that silences episodes about the historical legacy of slavery and racism in the country, and undermines multicultural Morocco. In fact, the history of Morocco’s blacks of sub-Saharan descent remains fragmented, scattered and undocumented – partly because of the scarcity of archival sources. Recent years, however, have witnessed the revival of an ‘African consciousness’ in Moroccan history and in literature. This is also the case of Maghrebi (North African) and Arabic literature from the Mashreq (the Middle East) and the Gulf. In this paper, we consider how two recent Moroccan novels, Le Lutteur [The Wrestler, in French] by My Seddick Rabbaj (2017) and Dhākirat al-narjis [The Daffodil's Memory, in Arabic] by Rachid al-Hachimi (2018), deal with salient moments of trans-Saharan cultural connections. We argue that the historical and the geographical imaginaries connecting North and sub-Saharan Africa compel a discussion of the ‘decolonial’ as outlined by the Moroccan critic Abdelkebir Khatibi, and enforce a rebound on the concept of ‘significant geographies’. In engaging with the narratives’ concern about the construction of racial and cultural identities in Morocco, we consider how these works resonate with the recovery of the subaltern history of black Morocco, and how gender, rural and ethnic identity inform and imbue the texts with a knot of ambivalent discourses.

An Inside and Outside Look Into Cultural Identity Construction of the FLTRP Cup English Public Speaking Contest—A Two Decade Review

An Inside and Outside Look Into Cultural Identity Construction of the FLTRP Cup English Public Speaking Contest—A Two Decade Review

The social history of a medieval fish weir, c. 600–2020

ABSTRACT This article presents the longue durée social history of a medieval fish weir. It reveals the significant role of fishing and fish weirs in the construction and reconstruction of social structures and cultural identities. It focuses on an enigmatic annual ceremony – the construction of the Horngarth or Penny Hedge at Whitby, North Yorkshire. The article begins by arguing that the ceremony descends from the construction of a medieval intertidal fish weir, before exploring the possible social and cultural contexts in which the fish weir originated and the social and cultural circumstances that perpetuated its construction to the sixteenth century. It proceeds to consider the social and cultural changes that undermined its original function and transformed its significance in the sixteenth, seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, and how a tradition invented about it became important to the local identity and national reputation of the town.

Cultural Memory as a Means of Understanding Transculturality

Memory studies have been particularly active since the second half of the 20th century and include a mix of fields of culturology, social psychology, media archeology, political philosophy, and comparative literature. Memory studies have formed the basis of both collective and individual identity studies, as well as the study of psycho-social factors in understanding traumatic memory and attempts to overcome trauma. Memory studies have activated an in-depth analysis of the construction of national and cultural identities and brought them into the context of transnational and transcultural studies.Based on the above, the purpose of this report is to provide a transcultural understanding of national culture based on the study of cultural memory, which is primarily based on the study of national identity and the analysis of the compositional nature of common / shared myths.

Creating National Media Brand by Transmedia Storytelling in Animation Sector: A Comparison of Selected Cases from Turkey and Pakistan

ABSTRACT The animation industry, which plays a key role in cultural identity construction for new generations, uses multiple media channels to convey their messages concerning their brands and interact with audience by using transmedia storytelling technique (TST). TST empowers integrated marketing communication efforts of the businesses and enables the audience to experience a unique holistic entertainment. The main purpose of this study is to analyze how TST is adopted to create national media brands by Turkish and Pakistani animation producers comparatively and to investigate how cultural representation is treated in the selected cases – Elif’in Düşleri, Teen Bahadur. The study was designed as a qualitative research of multiple case studies. Multiple media channels across which the story unfolds were examined in detail with the help of illustrations, and a content analysis was made for each production. For both cases, the producers conducted the productions as transmedia projects by converting the story through a national media brand via several media channels. Cultural representation was achieved through local plots, local places, traditions, values, names and people. It’s been observed that the Turkey is ahead of Pakistan with its production of several national cartoon films/series compared to Pakistan.

Ibnul Waqt: Construction of Cultural Identity

Ibnul Waqt: Construction of Cultural Identity

Janger Performance: The Rite of Unification and (Re)construction of Cultural Identity of Banyuwangi, East Java

Artikel ini membahas bagaimana masyarakat Banyuwangi, yang terdiri atas berbagai suku, menyatukan diri dan merekonstruksi identitas budaya mereka melalui seni pertunjukan Janger. Konstruksi identitas merupakan cara pandang atau makna identitas yang dikonstruksi oleh masyarakat. Mereka pernah mengalami keruntuhan identitas budaya ketika kalah total dalam perang besar melawan Belanda pada tahun 1772. Sebelum perang, mereka memiliki pemerintahan yang independen, tidak di bawah kendali pihak lain. Dalam beberapa dekade terakhir, ada upaya untuk merekonstruksi identitas budaya yang runtuh tersebut. Penelitian ini membutuhkan eksplorasi lapangan dengan memanfaatkan pendekatan etnografi. Pendekatan ini menggali data tentang berbagai aspek sosial budaya masyarakat Banyuwangi yang menjadi konteks seni pertunjukan Janger. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa Janger Banyuwangi menjadi momentum vital untuk membangun dan merekonstruksi budaya baru Banyuwangi yang dapat diterima semua lapisan masyarakat.

Locating Identity: Interpreting Food Images and Jade Snow Wong’s Identity Construction in Fifth Chinese Daughter

Jade Snow Wong’s autobiographical novel Fifth Chinese Daughter, as an early classic of Asian American literature, has aroused wide concern since its publication, in which, food images as important elements play a prominent role in the author’s identity construction. Based on the theories of cultural identity, imagism, and feminist criticism, this paper focuses on the food images related to Jade Snow Wong’s identity construction in Fifth Chinese Daughter, and reveals the influence of these images on her identity construction. Food images in this novel, as media connecting two different cultures and genders, help break the Chinese American women’s marginalized status in culture and gender, and promote their construction of cultural identity as well as gender identity.

CONSTRUCTION OF CULTURAL IDENTITY OF VAQUEIRO IN ‘O SERTANEJO’ [THE BACKLANDS] OF JOSÉ DE ALENCAR

The representation of sertanejo man in literature is presented through traditions, values and beliefs constructed in that space, in this process we have vaqueiro as a genuine "sertanejo", because it allows interiorization of northeast, appearing the sertão. Therefore, this article aims to identify how cultural identity of vaqueiro is constructed in regionalist project of Alencariano. In the discussion it used as theoretical contributions about socio-historical context of vaqueiro and the vaquejada in Cascudo (2008) and Magalhães (1970), identity culture in Hall (2006), culture and popular culture in Ayala & Ayala (1987), Santos (1992), Bosi (1992) and Bauman (2001) and sertanist literature in Sodré (1964) and Bosi (1994). The corpus of research is literary work 'O sertanejo' [The Backlands] (1875) by José de Alencar. The results showed construction of cultural identity of vaqueiro in Alencarian literature has physical, socio-affective and symbolic elements are marks of identity of vaqueiro and can be resignified, adapting to new social relations and cultural contexts.

CONSTRUCTION OF CULTURAL IDENTITY OF VAQUEIRO IN ‘O SERTANEJO’ [THE BACKLANDS] OF JOSÉ DE ALENCAR

The representation of sertanejo man in literature is presented through traditions, values and beliefs constructed in that space, in this process we have vaqueiro as a genuine "sertanejo", because it allows interiorization of northeast, appearing the sertão. Therefore, this article aims to identify how cultural identity of vaqueiro is constructed in regionalist project of Alencariano. In the discussion it used as theoretical contributions about socio-historical context of vaqueiro and the vaquejada in Cascudo (2008) and Magalhães (1970), identity culture in Hall (2006), culture and popular culture in Ayala & Ayala (1987), Santos (1992), Bosi (1992) and Bauman (2001) and sertanist literature in Sodré (1964) and Bosi (1994). The corpus of research is literary work 'O sertanejo' [The Backlands] (1875) by José de Alencar. The results showed construction of cultural identity of vaqueiro in Alencarian literature has physical, socio-affective and symbolic elements are marks of identity of vaqueiro and can be resignified, adapting to new social relations and cultural contexts.

The Three Epochs of Hong Kong Lolita Subculture: Cultural Hybridization and Identity Construction

Lolita is identified as a female oriented subculture phenomenon which came about in the 1990s in Harajuku, Japan. Youths in Hong Kong, because culturally and geographically in close proximity to Japan, will usually adapt their neighboring city Tokyo’s cultural movements. This paper explores the development, meaning, significance of Lolita phenomena in Hong Kong from the postmodern historical and socio-cultural points of view. By assembling and examining the ethnographic data from face-to-face interviewees and materials from online resources between 2014 and 2017, we reviewed and proposed that there are three major epochs of Lolita subculture development in Hong Kong. The study concludes that the changes in online practices over the past two decades lead to the transformation of Lolita identity within the group. It also indicates that the development of Hong Kong Lolita subculture shows a positive impact of cultural hybridization. Moreover, through the active practice on virtual platforms, the group creates an imagined community for the participants to share their beliefs and dreams freely.

False Consciousness: The Cultural Identity Construction of Cele And Batik Within Moluccan Scholars in Ambon

Identity is a social construction. The Moluccan people are evident of this structure, especially regarding the policy of the obligation to wear cele (Moluccan traditional garment). This has become a process of identity construction involving culture and ethnicity for Moluccans. This paper discusses how Moluccan scholars who studied in Java understand their position wearing cele in the local context in Maluku. In addition, this paper also discusses the scholars’ views on how the process of identity negotiation between localism and nationalism is represented through cele and batik. Information for this study was gathered using a qualitative method with a cultural studies approach. The data were collected using several techniques including interviews, observation, and literature studies to answer research questions and problems. This paper shows that in response to the Moluccan government policy which requires the people to wear cele once a week, most scholars prefer to wear batik instead. One justification is related to cultural and religious aspects, noting cele is more familiar and originates from within the Christian community, while the Islamic community does not recognize cele in their culture. They consider that such policy leads to the construction of cultural identity based on false consciousness.

“Daddy, Can You Speak Our Language?” Multilingual and Intercultural Awareness through Identity Texts

ABSTRACT The premise of the present paper is that an intercultural approach to multilingualism in schools generates inclusion and a construction of cultural and linguistic identity that respects the diversity of society and classrooms. Students, teachers, and families participated in an action research project conducted in four schools with the presence of varied home languages. One of the objectives of the project is to foster intercultural education by introducing home languages in the school through identity texts. The process was documented through questionnaires, interviews with families and educators, and classroom observations. Results show that the texts and the curricular activities designed around them have provided spaces for the recognition and valuation of diversity. The self-esteem of alloglot students has improved and the collaborative relationship between school and families has increased. Conclusions point at the potential of multilingualism as a way to enrich the curriculum and to promote equality from diversity in the school context.

A Study of the Role and Approach of China English in the Spread of Chinese Culture Based on the Analysis of Big Data

In the face of the 21st century, the spread of culture and knowledge is a trend and necessity through the presentation of big data all over the world. China English shoulders the important mission of introducing, disseminating and promoting Chinese culture to the world. As an important medium, it plays an important role in the construction of Chinese cultural identity. We should be aware of the trend integration of global culture in the new era, more clearly aware of the severe challenges brought by the exchange and confrontation of different cultures to the weak culture. While introducing and learning western culture, we must try our best to inherit and carry forward the profound traditional culture of the Chinese nation, and call on our traditional culture to spread out.

Moda e consumo periférico: a construção de identidade social a partir das ações promovidas pelo projeto ‘periferia inventando moda’ na cidade de São Paulo

Este estudo analisa como a moda está atrelada à construção de identidade social e cultural nas periferias de São Paulo. Para isso, foi realizada uma revisão bibliográfica sobre sociedade, consumo e moda que permitiu definir como nosso objeto de pesquisa a instituição social Periferia Inventando Moda que, com ações educacionais e sociais, desenvolve importante papel junto ao comportamento de moda do jovem periférico. Ao analisar a atuação dessa entidade foi possível entender com mais clareza o consumo, mas também a produção de moda e sua relação com a promoção do sentido de pertencimento e ressignificação de um espaço geográfico reconhecido pela pobreza e falta de oportunidades.

The Role of Khmer Court Dance and Music in the Construction of a Cambodian-American Identity

Cambodia gained national attention in the mid 1975 due to the mass genocide perpetrated during the communist group known as the Khmer Rouge. For many Cambodians born and raised in the United States, the primary cultural awareness passed down from their parents and elders revolves around experiences surrounding the Khmer Rouge. This paper explores the construction of cultural identity among second generation Cambodian youth and adults participating in Khmer classical dance and music classes at Khmer Arts Academy in Long Beach, California. We found that there is a strong correlation between familial ties and participation in cultural activities, as is evident from interviews as well as family member attendance at Khmer Arts Academy. Our research delved into the struggle Khmer children born and raised in America face when pressured to assimilate into American culture. The societal need to “fit in” is difficult for most minority children, and it is difficult to find ways to affirm heritage identity. The students at the Khmer Arts Academy use Khmer classical dance and music to learn about the beauty and intricacies of their culture, something that they lacked prior to this experience. Using ethnographic techniques and methods, our preliminary findings suggest that participation in the Khmer Arts Academy in Long Beach introduced students to and, in some cases increased, their connections with their cultural heritage. Our techniques include participant observations and interviews over the course of three months (September, 2019-November, 2019).