Anthropology: a Taboo Topic in China?

so leave China... why would you even bother trying to host a meeting in China? Take your business elsewhere

Maybe because China is an anthropological goldmine in itself. This was arranged years ago when the topic was less taboo than it is now.

China is changing, We all can see the changes now. it will be better in the future.

Actually, you'll find that western intellectuals who challenge certain assumptions of a 'fair' society will be black-listed. It's just more subtle than cancelling an entire conference. Having just returned from a great 3 month trip to China, I can say with just slightly more authority than 4 months ago that while the Chinese press is censored by the government for particular topics, the US corporation, er, uh, "government" censors the press by simply eliminating funding, or by jailing journalists for not revealing their sources (contempt of court my @$$). Sure, many things are bad in China, but there are just as many things going wrong in the States. I think the government's offenses against their own population are just more obvious to the common person in China...

Bob:

Here is a link for that gives an idea of the divversity of ethnic minorities in Yunnan province.

http://www.asia-photo.net/yunnan/minzu/costume_e.html

This region is far removed from the field I am looking into right now, but I can give you a way to research the history of Yunnan province; do an advanced google search of the single word "yunnan" combined with the phrase "ancient kingdom". I can tell you that the people in modern Thailand and Laos migrated from Yunnan (as I remember, about 500 AD - I'm probably wrong); they were slash-and-burn agriculturalists, and moved at the speed their fields lost their viability, or as the population of a group grew, in which case, they split and moved apart.

So there is a lot for anthropologists to be amazed at here, and a lot for the government to not want them to discover.

This is related to the old truism that history is written by the victors. This may be true in many circumstances, given the fact that the loser are exterminated or absorbed, losing their cultural identity and any written memory of their past. But what anthroplogists (and, even more, archeologists) do is to reconstruct the past from material that is independant of the written record. The emphasis on "oral tradition" in the topics to be discussed could be downright subversive.

Let me demonstrate the possibilities in an incident from American history: Custer's Last Stand. The after action report sent to the Department of the Army could only include information on Custer up to the time he divided his command. After that, there is only information from Major Reno's and Captain Benteen's detachments. Officially the Army Department knows nothing of what happened to Custer's men.

But, it is possible to reconstruct the course of the battle. A history written by an expert on cavalry has concluded, given the distance and type of terrain covered by Custer's troops, that his horses were exhausted by the time they got to the Little Big Horn. An archeological survey has found from deposits of rifle shells that there was no last stand, but a running fight, with the decreasing number of rifle shells along the course of the battle indicating mounting caualties. As for the anthropological approach, it was through oral tradition that historians finally learned, in the 1950s, the identity of the Indian who actually claimed to have killed Custer, information that had not been revealed to the Various Army investigators in the 1870s, but had been passed down in the family.

For a example of oral tradition in the case the Miao people of Yunnan, there is a chapter in "The Retreat of the Elephants: An Environmental History of China", by Elvin, Mark.

Anonymous Coward:

Far from disagreeing with you I 100% support your point. Washington and other large entities (lobby groups, and especially Foundations with University research grants to hand out) have long sought to direct or restrict debate and research in the US so as to shape things to match their own agenda.

This was nicely demonstrated with the recent NASA scandal in which Climatologists receiving government money had the frighteners put on them in an effort to get them reach conclusions over climate change that matched Washington's public line rather than the scientific data: About which House Science Committee Chairperson Sherwood Boehlert stated "Political figures ought to be reviewing their public statements to make sure they are consistent with the best available science... Scientists should not be reviewing their statements to make sure they are consistent with the current political orthodoxy."

What I find even more alarming than this, is the way that "labeling", and the fear of it, is used in the US to redirect or stifle academic research. There are many areas of research that are very difficult to get funding for in the US, or which academics are afraid to go near because pressure groups will jump out of the woodwork and try to discredit them or to falsely associate their research with figures of hat and/or ridicule.

For example, it is accepted in Europe that certain ethnic groups are more visually orientated when it comes to learning and that they do better in a more visual educational environment, but you just try to get government funding for studies like this in the US. Even if you can get funding you are limited to certain specific areas and you are more or less prevented from reaching any conclusion that states that there different races have different learning characteristics for fear of being stigmatized by pressure groups trying to link your work to earlier discredited work that linked intelligence to race.

The same is true for things such as medical research on Marijuana. The last trial that I heard of with federal funding was prevented from concluding that it had heath benefits in certain cases as their mandate was federally restricted to determining how much harm it did. Even research into synthesizing a non-addictive version that won't get you high is extremely hard to get funded from federal sources.

And don't get me started on embryo research.

dave zimmerman:

A nice summary and quite apt in the long term. However I think that in the short term (this case, specifically) it's less a case of Beijing wanting to cover up embarrassing secrets and more a case that the government has become far more reticent about emphasizing the fact China's different ethnic groups are (as I said above) "different", not just from one another but also from post Cultural-Revolution/Post 1980s reform Han culture.

It's a bad time for this at the moment as one of the lines along which Chinese society is tending to fragment when face with issues such as illegal land seizures is an ethnic line (For example, minority villages getting angry at majority towns and cities whom are subsuming their land for industrial development). On top of this, many majority Chinese feel that minority groups have been given unfair advantages by the government, such as being allowed to have more children, and being subject to affirmatives action policies in education. Others, still, believe government propaganda about improvements in places like Tibet and think that such people are getting a better deal than them. Then you have competing minority groups within the same region. At present Beijing likes to say that all Chinese are brothers and sisters, but in reality many are just cousins, or in some cases are simply neighbors. Advertising this, or even debating it, will cause increased tension. At least that is what Beijing fears.

Probably the best example it Tibet (though it is likely that nothing contentious would have been allowed at the Congress, anyway). Beijing claims that Tibet is an immutable and historic part of China, yet the Tibetan people have different ethnic and cultural origins from Mainland Chinese, and they developed separately as a people. This reduces Beijing's claim on Tibet significantly, pretty much to the point of saying that Tibet's primary connection to the Mainland is that of a tribute kingdom that has periodically been occupied by force or signed over by treaty.

Until we can ascertain the real reason for the conference's cancellation, all we can guess at the reason for the "postponement" of the conference. It does seem strange, though, that an event that has been planned and approved since 2003 should suddenly get the ax. Unless one reads too much into recent events.

Not that I'm saying that transparency would be advantageous to the policy makers in this case, or any case, but without something definite to go on, we're just playing pin the tail on the donkey, and it always hurts the donkey, no matter where it gets stuck.

But a look at the calls for papers for various proposed colloquia shows where there might be cause for some embarrassment. And it also addresses some of the issues raised by ACB in her reply to my previous post. So forget the pin and the donkey. Stick a fork in that turkey; it's done.

The following is taken from the list of seminars planned for the conference.

https://www.icaes2008.org/newsaction?action=paperen

Each entry includes the title of the seminar, and excerpt from the prospectus, and comments from some wise-ass.

************************************************ Muslims in the Local: China and Southeast Asia "...look at Muslims in China in specific local contexts, examining issues of ethnicity, ethnic relations, interpersoanl relations, gender, and others." I have found no way to see who responded to his one, but I see it as touching on a hidden powder keg. There has been one major rebellion by Muslims in the mid-nineteenth century, and every generation seems to have had its uprisings. This is where oral tradition can be telling.

************************************************

Language Contact and Language Hybridization "Language contact becomes an increasingly common phenomenon nowadays: it does not require fluent bilingualism or multilingualism, only that communication between speakers of different languages occurs. Language contact will result in at least three types of contact languages: pidgins, Creoles, and bilingual mixed languages. And controversies still prevail as to how to define them." Can you imagine a Han administrator actually learning Tibetan?

************************************************

Language Contact and Endangered Languages " Because of many factors, language contact is very popular, we can see it from many aspects of languages. In addition, with the rapid development of globalization, language endangerment is becoming worldwide, how to protect endangered languages has been an urgent issue, the study of endangered languages has been concerned by lots of linguists and anthropologists from all over the world." Manchurian is a dying language; there are more speakers of Manchurian in Xinjiang Province, spoken by descendants of Manchu Dynasty garrisons, than in Manchuria.

************************************************

Protection and Exploration: Ethnic Heritage in West China "West China is an assembled area of minority. In recent years, with the implement of West Development Strategy, it has brought the chances to economic, cultural and social development, on the other hand, it has challenged to the protection and exploration to local ethnic Heritage. Therefore, under these conditions, it has become a crucial problem that we frustrated how to deal with the relationship between the big development of economy and society with the "Protection and Exploration of Ethnic Heritage". In order to solve this problem, we invite sincerely the experts all over the world interested in this problem to attend this conference and submit excellent papers." The price of labor is rising in the traditional industrial areas (Shenzen, Wuhan), and Yunnan is seen as the next area to be developed, leading to the conflict between ethnic reserve areas and developers mentioned by ACB.

************************************************

Adjustment and Co-existence of Religious Beliefs and Ethnic Cultures; Comparative Study based on Yunnan Examples and the World's Experience "Today, in some places endless religious conflicts or conflicts related to religious beliefs and traditions can be observed. On the other hand, in other places peaceful co-existence of religious beliefs and ethnic cultures can be recognized. Moreover, movements for the vitalization or continuation of traditional cultures have been observed in various parts of the world. These phenomena indicate that religious beliefs and traditional cultures have keeping their values in modern societies against the current of globalization that has come to bring about, so-to-speak, the cultural uniformity of local groups and populations." Do we change the name of the Disneyland ride to "It's a harmonious world after all"?

• Cross-cultural Dialogue; Cultural Exchange between Tibet and Han Nationality "Tibet boasts for rich and splendid literal and cultural tradition , being one of the minorities with the most and best cultural achievements . It will be of decisive significance for the construction of harmonious society of China to disclose Tibetan culture, the cultural communication between Tibetan and Han nationality and multi-communications in nationalities of China . In order to promote the studies on Tibetology, the relationship of Tibet and Han nationality and ethnic culture. Main Topics for the session

1). Studies on rock arts of Tibet and prehistory society

2) Studies on ancient Tibetan documents from Dunhuang and Tubo history

3) Studies on Tubo external transportation

4) Cultural communications between Tang dynasty and Tubo

5) Influence of Tubo culture on Xixia kindom

6) Art communications between Tibet Buddhism and Buddhism of Han Nationality

7) Cultural exchange between Tibet and Han nationality in Yuan and Ming dynasties

8) Studies on the trend of similarity of Tibetan culture, Mongolian culture and

• Manchu culture

9) Comparing studies on cultures of Tibet Buddhism and Buddhism of Han Nationality

10) Anthropological studies on relationships of Tibet and Han nationality in the region of Gansu , Qinghai and Sichuan province. "

No shit? But seriously, folks, I know absolutely nothing about Tibetan history before the incursion by the Manchu Dynasty, but this entry gives me the impression that an attempt is being made to claim a tributary relationship as early as the Tang Dynasty.

"dave zimmerman"

Beijing has pretty much claimed that the world and their wife has had a tributary relationship with Beijing in the past. It's a standard approach with China, if you look around you can even find Beijing claiming the tributary relationships of people who took over Chinese territory as if they were Chinese tributary relationships. It's all part of the "looking back to a Golden history" thing.

My short answer to this whole puzzle is that right now it is a bad time for Beijing to have scholars discussing how certain groups have distinct cultures and/or backgrounds from the majority Han.

My previous post is only half of what I wanted to contribute. The whole thing seemed too big, so I posted the first half. However, the second half just doesn't want to be accepted (no faullt of ACB's), so I'll try it section by section

Tibetan Social Changes "We invite the submission of expressions of interest for participation in the following three panels on Tibetan social changes

1) Mode and characteristics of social changes in Tibetan urban, rural and pastoral areas.

2) Case studies and specialized academic studies of Tibetan social changes.

3) Comparative studies of social change in the Tibet Autonomous Region

· (TAR) and other Tibetan areas."

ACB: I think we might have found the deal breaker.

Negotiating Cultural Diversity: Representations of Alterity, Nationalism, Hybridity "Nation-states tend to consider themselves as multicultural entities through the recognition of certain minority groups, while other fail to be granted any particular status (ranging from legal recognition to independence movements). The recognition of cultural diversity is yet still subjected to national constructions of imaginary communities." Who is imagining whose community? ************************************************************************ Human Right and Multi Culture Society Continuum-A Global Approach "The term human right was coined to fulfill the basic needs of human beings such as food, sex and protection. Later on human right developed into a mega culture to fulfill the needs of people at the global level irrespective of race, sex, class, caste language, religion, culture, geography etc. Up till now what was being done by a culture for the people of its group now came to be done through the advocacy of human right at a wider level." This is the first seminar I have looked into which is not sponsored by Chinese professors; they are from India, and it seems that they have a strong idea of what is at risk, an idea that might be unpalatable to the authorities. ************************************************************************ Comparative Study on the Culture of Transnational Nomadic Peoples

"1) conception and features of the Culture of Transnational Nomadic Peoples;

2) the current position of the Culture of Transnational Nomadic Peoples in the world cultural inheritance;

3) history and present situation of the Transnational Nomadic Culture;

4) the development trend of the Transnational Nomadic Culture;

5) characteristics of Transnational Nomadic Peoples? traditional culture and languages;

6) differences between transnational nomadic cultures;

7) changes of the Transnational Nomadic Cultures, etc."

This seminar is sponsored by professors from Mongolia. It seems that national boundaries cut right through the transhumance territories of Mongols and other central asian nomadic groups. When the Manchurian Dynasty negotiated the Treaty of Nerchinsk with Russia in 1689, they were glad to give up a small strip of land in Northern Manchuria for he Russian promise to enforce the border and turn back Mongol nomads fleeing Chinese expansion. ************************************************************************ On Religious Movement: Objects and sites of religious practices "Seeking inspiration in such an approach, this panel proposes an interpretation of religious objects, such as sacred texts, shrines, prayer mats, clothing, art, etc., in relation to situations of human displacement and flux, like migrations, transnationalism, diasporas, exiles, etc. Recent worldwide developments ( de-secularisation, charismatic renewal, new religious movements, fundamentalisms, etc.)have shown us how religious phenomenon is anything but a fixed and predictable structure within our societies. Religious practice, doctrine and expression are dynamic and working on space-time continuums and "dis-continuums". This one is sponsored by two professors from the University of Lisbon. How could it be that the opiate of the masses could have such a stimulating effect? ************************************************************************ Female child migration and trafficking in Asia "In one district of the rice-producing belt of West Bengal, the flow of seasonal migrants, drawn from tribal?s, Muslims and low castes, exceeds 500,000 people. Migrants are disadvantaged as laborers and labour laws dealing with them are weakly implemented? The above facts enumerate the alarming situation of migration and trafficking of female child." This problem is not confined to India. Those of you who have seen the movie or read the book, "Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress" will know what I mean.

Pilgrimage Landscape, Cosmogram and Planning the Heritage Cities "This Panel will explore sacred landscapes, sacred cities, and planning the heritage cities mass awakening, deep ecology, defining and identifying cultural heritage, religion and contestation of heritage, cultural heritage management, cultural heritage and urban renewal, planning for sacred places, heritage preservation and conservation, dynamics of change and ethical issues, social implications and public participation; issues of location, distribution and scale in spatial dimension of heritage cities; heritage as an economic instrument for regional and urban development and regeneration." Is this anything like Disneyfication? The reconconstruction of temples after the Cultural Revolution as Tibetland? Holy sites as tourist venues? If the priestess strips, I'm there! Those who have seen the PBS presentation called "Shangri La" will have seen what this process entails - the definition of "us" as "not them", accompanied by the fleeting chance to enjoy subliminally the "natural" behavior that "we" find shameful

dave zimmerman:

You are an absolute genius "Disneyfication", that's exactly the right word. I agree 100%.

A couple of years ago I wrote an article about this, and how Beijing was encouraging Tibetans to see their traditional culture as being a relic of the past, something that was nice to remember around the campfire but not relevant for everyday life "Disneyfication" describes this perfectly. If things go the way that Beijing wants them to go I predict that it won't be long before you will have people whose job it is to dress up as Tibetan nomads for the tourists, who then go home to condos and speak Mandarin and watch CCTV in the same way that you get people in Disneyland who dress up as Pocahontas at Disneyland.

ACB:

Now you know why I was so anxious to get that posted. I'm glad it was worth it.

So now, it looks like the Tibetans are the stage the American Indians were at with Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show, or Geronimo having his friends "autograph" items for tourists. Maybe someday, they'll have casinos to call their own. An dtheior own cocktail - The Horny Yak - Tibetan style tea with vodka.

So now, they rae at the stage where

Sadly, I see worse things in store for Tibet. It will start off as Wild Bill, and then descend to Grey Owl.

You'll have a Han dressed in Chuba acting as tour guides for "Tibetan cultural attractions" during the day and the real Tibetans scrubbing the floors at night after the tourists have gone home. The closest that a tourist will get to a real Tibetan is maybe buying a trinket or two off of them at the side of the road.