Encouraging knowledge and enhancing the study of Asia iias.asia 80 The Newsletter

Tamil film culture and politics

The Focus Heritage expertise across Asia Preservation through specific and diverse interventions

Chinese tea and Asian societies 2 Contents

From the Director In this edition 3 A benevolent crossroads of the Focus 29-40 The Study 5 R epresentations of the past in a pre- colonial Khmer monastery manuscript Theara Thun 6-7 Empty Home. House ownership in rapidly urbanising China Willy Sier and Sanderien Verstappen 8-9 S outheast Asia and Trump year one: a work in progress Sally Tyler 10-11 R odrigo Duterte and the Philippine presidency: Rupture or cyclicity? Mesrob Vartavarian

The Opinion Heritage 12 Experiences with censorship in research and publication on expertise Singapore’s multiculturalism Lai Ah Eng across Asia The Region

13-15 China Connections Trinidad Rico 16-18 News from Southeast Asia This Focus section proposes to examine and study 19-21 News from Australia and the Pacific cultural heritage debates less on heritage objects 22-25 News from Northeast Asia and practices and more on the human agents that create, promote, and study cultural heritage The Review and its preservation through specific and diverse 26-27 New reviews on newbooks.asia interventions. These interventions do not occur 28 New titles on newbooks.asia in a void: they are often attached to distinct disciplinary approaches and informed by specific political contexts and historical circumstances. The Focus Therefore, the six contributors to this section,  29-30 Introduction: addressing challenging case studies of Heritage expertise across Asia preservation of tangible and intangible heritage Guest editor: Trinidad Rico 31 Palmyr a and expert failure in six different regions of Asia, aim to highlight Salam Al Quntar how the involvement of heritage experts affects 32-33 Bordering on the criminal: A clash the very nature of cultural heritage objects and of expertise in Bamyan, Afghanistan practices, including the choice of approaches Constance Wyndham that are used for their study. 34-35 R eclaiming cultural heritage after disasters in Indonesia Cut Dewi 36-37 Heritage making after the earthquake: Safeguarding the intangible heritage of the Qiang people in China In this issue Qiaoyun Zhang The Newsletter is a free periodical In this issue, we take the opportunity to 38-39 A critical review of Catholic heritage published by the International Institute inform you about an exciting new chapter sites in Nagasaki, Japan in the cooperation between IIAS and the for Asian Studies (IIAS). As well as Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences Tomoe Otsuki serving as a forum for scholars to share (page 48). On page 51 we present again 40 Reinterpretations at Fort Nassau a report of an interesting activity within the in the Banda Islands, Indonesia research, commentary and opinion with framework of the Humanities across Borders Joëlla van Donkersgoed colleagues in academia and beyond, programme, this time about a workshop on ‘Feminist Methodologies’ at Cotton University The Newsletter is also a window into in India. We are particularly pleased that the the Institute. ideas developed during the workshop for a real The Review humanities approach to knowledge production and curricula development were received with 42-47 Selected reviews from newbooks.asia much enthusiasm by Cotton University’s Vice he International Institute for Asian Chancellor and Registrar. On the preceding Studies (IIAS) is a global Humanities page, two international students of the Double Tand Social Sciences institute and a Degree in Critical Heritage Studies talk vividly The Network knowledge exchange platform, based in about a working visit to Morocco, personally 48-49 Announcements Leiden, the Netherlands, with programmes experiencing the importance of studying that engage Asian and other international cultural heritage issues ‘in situ’, outside the 50-51 Reports partners. IIAS takes a thematic and multi- walls of the academy and in conversation 52-53 IIAS Research, Networks and Initiatives sectoral approach to the study of Asia with local knowledge. 54-55 IIAS Fellowship Programme and actively involves scholars and experts IIAS research programmes, networks from different disciplines and regions in its and other initiatives are described in brief activities. Our current thematic research on pages 52-53. Information about the IIAS clusters are ‘Asian Heritages’, ‘Asian Cities’ Fellowship programme can be found on pages The Portrait and ‘Global Asia’. 54-55. On pages 48-49 you will find our latest Information about the programmes and announcements, and on page 4 the Call for 56 A museum for the living history of Asia activities of IIAS can be found in the Network Proposals for ICAS 11, which will take place Museu do Oriente, Lisbon, Portugal pages of each issue of The Newsletter. in July 2019, in Leiden, the Netherlands. The Newsletter No. 80 Summer 2018 3 From the Director

The Newsletter is a free periodical published by IIAS. As well as being a window into the institute, The Newsletter A benevolent crossroads also links IIAS with the community of Asia scholars and the worldwide public interested in Asia and Asian Philippe Peycam studies. The Newsletter bridges the gap between specialist knowledge and public discourse, and continues to serve as e are currently entirely captivated The material is still ‘raw’, but with at least changed. The event of Dar es Salaam is a reminder a forum for scholars to share by the preparations of two major one hundred panels and roundtables expected that Asia in its definition or in its influence is research, commentary and Wevents, both of which promise to on subjects as varied as ‘Comparison of the increasingly pervasive. Europe for its part, as opinion with colleagues in stand as important new steps in the pursuit Policies of the Two Koreas and Africa’, ‘Cuisines, a world region in all its diversity, continues to be academia and beyond. of IIAS’s global engagement. The first is the Mobility and Criminality’, ‘African Communities a major scholarly concentration of expertise on upcoming Africa-Asia conference in Dar es in Guangzhou’, ‘Siddis in Karnataka, Gujarat, and with Asia. It also includes within its populations Salaam, Tanzania (20-22 September 2018). Hyderabad and Goa’, ‘Building a Francophone important segments of people with an Asian Postal address It will be the second edition of the Africa- Centre d’Études Afrique-Asie’, ‘Writing Modern background whose voices and experiences are PO Box 9500 based event after the success of Accra 2015, Architectural Histories of Africa, Asia and the becoming more potent. Today, the mayor of one 2300 RA Leiden Indian Ocean’, the Dar es Salaam conference of Europe’s most important cities, London, is of The Netherlands in Ghana. Following that historical event, IIAS, ICAS, the African Association for Asian is set to continue what was pioneered at Accra, Asian background; so is the prime minister of Ireland. Visitors Studies (A-ASIA) and their multiple partners where aspects of connections and comparisons The modes of collaboration, even academic, are Rapenburg 59 were encouraged to think about turning the go hand in hand to weave a new trans-regional evolving, with more fluidity and balance in the Leiden event into a regular one and with it, facilitating framework of intellectual inquiry. exchanges, with more centres of excellence, and an T +31 (0) 71-527 2227 the development of a vibrant pan-African For UDSM and IIAS, the principle organisers, ever-diversified range of connections, experiences [email protected] network of institutions and scholars wishing new encouraging developments have occurred and perspectives among scholars. to build their capacity to respond to the with a number of institutions willing to sponsor An illustration of this intensification and everyday more conspicuous crossing of the event, by supporting a substantial number diversification in collaborations is the revamped Colophon influences between political and economic of participants or by contributing to a travel European Alliance on Asian Studies. Originally The Newsletter No. 80 Summer 2018 actors of the two continents. Together with support fund for participants in need. I take this a small ‘club’ of institutions, the Alliance has grown A-ASIA, we contacted the University of Dar opportunity to thank our colleagues from Muziris to represent almost all the regions of Europe where Managing editor: es Salaam (UDSM); an obvious choice given Institute for the Indian Ocean Studies, University Asia is a focus of interest. This diversification is also Sonja Zweegers the central role the Tanzanian capital and of Calicut (Kerala, India), Leiden University true for the increasingly differentiated collection Guest editor for The Focus: its university once played in nurturing a spirit (the Netherlands), University of Michigan of institutions, from topically focused think tanks Trinidad Rico of African intellectual engagement in the (Ann Arbor, U.S.), Observatoire des Sociétés de to generalist language-training based universities. Regional editors: post-independence period, and because l’Océan Indien, Université de la Réunion (Réunion), The Alliance today represents 18 members or would-be Terence Chong (ISEAS), of its geographically close connection to National University of Singapore (Singapore), members. It was never meant to be exhaustive. It works Ilhong Ko (SNUAC), Asia through the Indian Ocean rim. Social Sciences Research Council (New York, U.S.), rather as a group of institutions who share a common Kunbing Xiao (NYU Shanghai), Centre for Asian Studies, University of Ghana interest in collaborating (not just in competing), Edwin Jurriëns, Ana Dragojlovic Already, the 2017 ICAS event in Chiang Mai (Accra, Ghana), Shanghai Academy of Social in facilitating mobility across Europe and with Asia, and Andy Fuller (Asia Inst. of saw three roundtables openly discussing the Sciences (China), the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and in working towards potentially meaningful The University of Melbourne). The Review pages editor: position of Asia and its interactions with other (New York, U.S.), the Henry Luce Foundation shared initiatives, free from bureaucratic entrapments. Wai Cheung regions of the world including Africa, the Indian (New York, U.S.), University Mohammed V (Rabat, On numerous occasions, the Alliance’s members Ocean and Latin America. This interest in Asia’s Morocco). Behind these institutions are passionate have expressed frustration over the lack of structural The Network pages editor: global connections is here to stay and to grow. people who believe in the importance of sharing EU or national funding mechanisms that truly Sandra Dehue Take for instance the interest in Asia’s relations and collaborating in an inclusive fashion. encourage collaboration and inter-European Digital issue editor: with Africa. Its range has expanded to embrace The Dar event will be preceded by a two-day exchanges. Thomas Voorter a multiplicity of spaces of inquiry as shown by working meeting in Zanzibar, in collaboration This is an issue the partners hope to discuss Graphic Design: the number of topics to be covered at the Dar es with UDSM and local partners, on the subject of at ICAS 11. For the Alliance members as for many Paul Oram Salaam conference. An average of ten to twelve inclusive collaboration around the growing field of other participating institutions, Asian, European, Lava panels or roundtables will be organized under ‘Indian Ocean Studies’. Here too, the institutions and others, ICAS 11 in Leiden will be an opportunity Printing: each of the following nine broad themes: involved see the importance of pooling resources in to display their work and to contribute activities EPC, Belgium view of developing an open Indian Ocean-focused (‘events within the event’) in an open setting and a - T ranscontinental Connections consortium with at its heart, universities and desire for cross-fertilization and a mutually beneficial and Interactions communities from this vast maritime region. partnership. In so doing, ICAS 11 should help to Submissions - Histories and Genealogies The second forthcoming event is of course position Europe and European institutions in relation Issue #81: 15 July 2018 - The Indian Ocean World ICAS 11 in Leiden, in July 2019. With the general to Asia and Asian partners as an open space or Issue #82: 15 November 2018 Issue #83: 15 March 2019 - Economy and Development theme ‘Asia and Europe, Asia in Europe’, this ICAS meeting ground, less fixed in past certitudes, rich - Intellectual and Educational Encounters event will be exceptional. Not only because it will in multiple intellectual traditions and possibilities; - (Im-)Migr ations, Diasporas, Refugees, be the first time in nearly two decades that such a a more benevolent crossroads between Asia Submission enquiries and Identities mega conference takes place in Europe – in the city and other regions of the world. [email protected] - Knowledge Production and Exchanges where it was born – but also because the terms of More information: - Cities, Urban Communities, Architectures knowledge production and collaboration developed Philippe Peycam iias.asia/the-newsletter - Arts, Crafts and Cultural Interventions in, on and with Asia in Europe have dramatically Director IIAS

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Information and registration: For the ICAS Book and www.icas.asia/africas Dissertation Prize 2019: https://icas.asia/en/icas-book-prize The International 16-19 July 2019 Leiden Convention of Asia the Netherlands

Scholars The International Convention of Asia Scholars (ICAS) engages participants from all continents in dialogues on Asia that transcend boundaries between academic disciplines and geographic regions. ICAS is an active accelerator of research.

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The ICAS Book Prize (IBP) 2019 The biennial ICAS Book Prize (IBP) is a global competition that provides an international focus for publications on Asia in the Humanities and Social Sciences. The IBP received in excess of 500 entries in 2017 (300 books and 200 dissertations). In addition to the original English- language Prize, the IBP 2019 will include 5 other language editions: French, German, Chinese, Korean, and Spanish/Portuguese. The IBP awards will be presented during the ICAS 11 opening ceremony.

Eligible titles are Asia-related academic publications in the Humanities and Social Sciences. Books must have first been published after August 2016, and not have been submitted to a previous IBP.

Submit your titles to the IBP 2019 on icas.asia Deadline: 10 October 2018

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Exhibitors or advertisers email [email protected] The Newsletter No. 80 Summer 2018 Pre-colonial historiography Representation of the past in 5 a local text produced prior to the The Study arrival of colonial history writing.

into considerable detail so as to capture the grief of the relatives of the deceased person. The writer does so by highlighting how one or two family members express their Representations of the sadness and mourning. Using the voices of the deceased person’s relatives, the writer poetically romanticizes the moment by interspersing personal expressions of love, past in a pre-colonial Khmer loss and heartbreak. For example, at the passing of Prāk’s husband in Siam, the writer conveys Prāk’s feeling at that moment: monastery manuscript Remembering the sad moments we ran through the forests facing great difficulties and risking our lives. Thinking of those moments, it hurts my [Prāk’s] Theara Thun Prior to the arrival of Western notions of history in Cambodia, bangsāvatār feeling very much. My darling, you have forever gone and left me alone without writing was the most popular genre used to record events and stories about caring about me anymore. If it was me the past.1 Literally meaning ‘annals of a family or kingdom’ and commonly alone, it wouldn’t be a problem. But, we have our baby son. Why did you suddenly translated as ‘chronicle’, the bangsāvatār was a type of writing that die and leave him behind without providing belonged to a small elite class and highly respected religious leaders. food? I’m deeply distressed for our baby who loses his father and lives with no one to take care of him.9 donated by Prāk. The text ends right in the middle of the description of a huge religious Based on what has been examined ceremony held for the new monastery in the text so far, it is evident that, besides building in 1855. keeping a record of events about the past, As the text is written by a Buddhist this monastery text combines several forms monk, Venerable Pich, it tends to give of knowledge and literary genres. First of all, priority to the account of religious activities. apart from recounting past events concerning More specifically, besides events related wars and politics, it associates some of those to wars and politics, the text appears to events with the ideas and philosophies of pay considerable attention to such events Buddhism. This indicates that the teachings as funerals and wedding ceremonies, of Buddhism were a vital element of the Ang Duong’s coronation ceremony and his perceptions of the past in this text. Secondly, restoration of Buddhism after the Vietnamese the choice of several literary genres, including occupation, Prāk’s preparations for the the romanticization of certain events, indicates Ancestors’ Day (Pchum Ben) festival, and the importance of foregrounding people’s the ceremony for the new vihāra. In addition, feelings and behaviors. In this sense, the many events incorporated into the text representations of the past in this pre-colonial are mentioned in an explicitly Buddhist text can be partly understood as recalling framework. One finds ideas and philosophies memorable moments and places, enforcing of Buddhism inserted whenever significant rules and regulations of how to behave, and events in the views of individuals and romanticizing tragic moments such as the families are mentioned, most prominently passing away of a loved one. those in Prāk’s family including the joyful moments, the marriage of Moen Meas, Theara Thun received his PhD in History Moen Meas’s passing, and the sponsorship from the National University of Singapore of the monastery building. These teachings under a joint doctoral scholarship help elaborate those events from a religious program between Harvard-Yenching Institute and National University of perspective. They are usually abstract Singapore. [email protected] and rationalize the events or activities by associating them with religious teachings. For example, the writer explained that the Notes sponsorship that Prāk undertook for the 1 For further discussions on Khmer new monastery building would allow her to bangsāvatār texts, see Vickery, M. 1977. benefit from three kinds of goodness, namely ‘Cambodia after Angkor: The Chronicular Cover page of the Pich 1855 (Courtesy of Khin Sok) earthly goodness, celestial goodness, and Evidence for the Fourteenth to Sixteenth nirvana, and thus to escape from all types Centuries’ (Vol. I and II) Doctoral of suffering and poverty.4 Dissertation, Yale University; Chandler, hese texts were often associated Benefitting from three D. 1973. ‘Cambodia before the French: with the royal palace and Buddhist Politics in a Tributary Kingdom, 1794-1848.’ monasteries. Those produced by the kinds of goodness Doctoral Dissertation, University of T Journeys, behavior Michigan; Mak Phoeun. 1981. Chroniques palace almost entirely focus on stories and The main focus of Pich 1855 is a noble Royales du Cambodge (De 1594 A 1677). events surrounding royal family members, family associated with the sponsorship of and heartbreak Paris: École française d’Extrême-Orient; especially the genealogy of rulers and their a religious building. The family is that of a A close reading of the text shows that in its Khin Sok. 1988. Chroniques Royales du conflicts either among themselves or with the lady named Prāk, whose husband, Narentrā, account of Prāk’s family, it also incorporates Cambodge: De Baña Yat à la prise de neighboring royal courts of Siam and Vietnam. was governor of the province of Kampong a mixture of elements from several pre-colonial Lanvaek, 1417-1595. Paris: École française Those produced by Buddhist monasteries, Svāy. Narentrā was appointed as governor literary genres such as the nirās and chbāp. d’Extrême-Orient. besides covering some major events about by the court of King Ang Chant (r. 1806-1834). The nirās, known in Thai literature as nirat,5 2 Khin Sok. 2002. L’Annexion du Cambodge the royal court, mostly recount events at the After the king’s death and Siam’s withdrawal which literally means memorable journey par les Vietnamiens au XIX siècle: D’Après local/provincial level. Composed in a poetic in 1834, he mobilized the people in his province or departure, is a literary genre narrating les Deux Poèmes du Vénérable Bâtum format, these particular texts were also known and nearby provinces, including those in someone’s journey to a particular place. Baramey Pich. Paris: You-Feng. as the rabā khsatr writings, with their name Bārāy, to rise up against Vietnamese rule. Conveyed in poetic form, the nirās usually 3 Even though the edition we have is not the original one, the contents of the text referring to ‘line’ or ‘lineage’ of the kings. The revolt was defeated and Narentrā, recount in detail each step of the journey from seem to be largely intact. This is mainly There are two monastery texts that have been together with his family, fled to Bangkok for beginning to end. In the text, for example, because it was originally composed in a preserved until the present. They originated safety. He fell sick and passed away in Siam a long nirās passage was inserted when poetic format that demanded that those from the writings of a highly respected member leaving behind his wife Prāk and a young describing the journey of Prāk’s family when who copied it paid great attention to of the sangha (the Buddhist monkhood) named son named Moen Meas. they escaped from Kampong Svāy province the consistent lyrics, syntax, and rhyme Pich, an abbot in the province of Bārāy. The The text goes on to depict how, after the to Bangkok. It describes different landmarks, in each verse. This does not necessarily Venerable Pich’s earliest text dates back to the end of Vietnamese rule over Cambodia during including the names of the forests, rivers mean that there are no errors in this early 1840s, and another text composed by him the early 1840s, Prāk and Moen Meas returned and localities through which they travelled, copied edition. Thanks to Khin Sok’s is dated 1855. The two texts were later adapted to their country. Due to the works of his late their difficulties and happy moments, people intelligent and painstaking work, however, many errors could be identified, corrected, by another highly respected monk, Chan, father, Ang Duong’s court (r. 1848-1860) in they met, and the natural beauty they 6 7 and the meanings of many terms clarified. who composed a manuscript in 1876 by largely Udong awarded Moen Meas an official title: encountered. The chbāp, which literally 4 ibid., Khin Sok 2002, pp.324-325. copying the two writings of the Venerable Pich. Amrek Moen Meas. He married the daughter means the code of conduct, is another literary 5 For a good discussion on the nirat writing The manuscripts still in existence at present are of another noble family, who gave birth to a genre conveyed in poetic form that describes of the early Bangkok period (1767-1855), the Venerable Chan’s 1876 edition and Venerable son. Moen Meas passed away soon after due and analyzes people’s behavior and, at the see Nadhi Eosseewong. 2005. Pen & Sail: Pich’s work of 1855, which was preserved by the to sickness. Pich 1855 describes the grief of same time, suggests norms and roles for people Literature and History in Early Bangkok. Buddhist Institute in Phnom Penh, where it was his wife and of his mother Prāk. It also tells to follow. A chbāp passage was incorporated, Chiang Mai: Silkworm Books, pp.126-143. re-copied in 1951 and entitled it Sāstrā Lbaoek of Prāk’s decision to donate a large portion for instance, when Moen Meas’s mother-in-law 6 ibid., Khin Sok 2002, pp.290-294. Rabā Khsatr Pheanday Udai Rājā Eng Chant of her family’s wealth to the construction gives instructions to her daughter (Moen Meas’s 7 For a good discussion on chbāp writing, [Palm-leaf Manuscript of the Poems of the of a vihāra [Buddhist monastery building] in wife) about how to serve and obey her husband see Chandler, D. 1984. ‘Normative Poems (Chbap) and Pre-colonial Cambodian Lineage of King Udai Rājā Eng Chant]. Khin Sok order to dedicate the dāna [merit generated by following five principles including honesty, Society’, Journal of Southeast Asian 8 collected the two texts and published them in by her donation] to her late husband and patience, and politeness. Studies 15(2):271-279. 2 a book. This paper discusses the contents and son. In the last few pages, the text elaborates Moreover, some events in the text are 8 ibid., Khin Sok 2002, p.310. the representations of the past in the Venerable in great detail on the activities of building heavily romanticized. When the writer covers 9 My own translation from the Khmer text Pich’s text of 1855, referred to as Pich 1855.3 the vihāra, including the amount of money dramatic moments, such as a death, he goes in Khin Sok 2002, p.295. 6 Urbanisation Real estate, mobility, and family The Study in rapidly urbanising China.

Empty Home. House ownership in rapidly urbanising China

Willy Sier and Sanderien Verstappen Why do people buy houses in which they cannot live? How might we understand the fast expansion of China’s urban peripheries, full of newly constructed flats but devoid of people, shops, and labour opportunities? In this article, we look through the windows of one such apartment in the outskirts of Wuhan, the provincial capital of China’s Hubei province, based on insights acquired during the making and screening of our film Empty Home (2016).1

One of the bedrooms of Wendy’s apartment (filmstill Empty Home).

n contemporary China, cities are growing about rapid urbanisation, the desire to upward trend in private homeownership. had seen or heard about. The large distance fast and, as buying a house is becoming buy a house in the city, and the inability Since the beginning of the post-reform era, between house and house owner created a Ian important symbol of success, the real to live there. The film has an open format China has changed from a predominantly problem: opening the house for the film crew estate industry is flourishing. For rural-urban that invites the viewer to think about the public housing regime to a country with one required huge time and capital investments migrants, a group that contributes greatly to desire to purchase real estate in a context of the highest rates of private home ownership by the owner. Some owners offered to lend us cities’ growing populations, buying an urban of continuous migration and mobility. in the world. The number of square meters the keys to their house, so we could enter their house is seen as a great accomplishment that sold on the real estate market has increased apartment by ourselves; however, to make marks the completion of a transition from rural from 27 million in 1991 to 157 million in 2016. the film we needed not only the images of the pasts to urban futures. Yet, the houses these Rural-urban migration and Willy’s research suggests that it is not only house, but also the interpretations and stories migrants are able to afford are often located the wealthier urbanites who buy real estate, of its owners. This situation created a practical in city outskirts with few labour opportunities. house ownership in China but that rural buyers also have a share problem, yet it also highlighted the frequent Therefore, many are unable to stay long-term The promotion of rural-urban migration in driving this real estate market. occurrence of absentee house owners. in their newly acquired houses, and instead is an important goal for the Chinese state. Then, there was Wendy. Wendy’s parents furnish and store them for the future. The ‘National New-Type Urbanisation own an apartment on the outskirts of Hankou When Willy Sier conducted fieldwork Plan (2014-2020)’, released by the central Explorations of district in Wuhan. The distance between in China’s Hubei committee of the Wendy and this apartment is ‘only’ a few province (2015-2016) China Communist an ‘empty home’ hours by public transport, which enabled her for her dissertation “There has clearly Party (CCP) on 16 Making the film Empty Home generated to come to the house and show us around. on rural-urban March 2014, stated that new insights into these issues of mobility and Wendy is a recent graduate from a university disparities in China, been a shift in attitude the percentage of the house ownership. Willy had conducted almost in Wuhan. After graduation, she continued and the desires of Chinese population one year of ethnographic fieldwork in Wuhan to live in the campus area near her college, university-educated towards housing and living in cities should before the film was made and had seen where she opened a small fashion store youths from rural private property since grow from 53.7 percent several empty houses during this period. While together with her friend Lucky. When Wendy’s regions to overcome the in 2014 to 60 percent we therefore had initially not expected much parents decided to buy the apartment in 2012, rural-urban divide, she the Mao-era.” in 2020. Indeed, difficulty in finding a house in which we could investing their savings from several decades of noticed that the topic many Chinese cities film, this turned out differently when Willy factory and restaurant work, they were away of ‘buying a house’ are rapidly expanding. approached the owners of houses that she in China’s Southern megacity Guangzhou, came up frequently in conversation with In Wuhan, the number of the city’s inhabitants rural families. Everybody seemed to be increased from 2 million in 1970 to more than in dire need of a house, preferably a house 10 million in 2018. in the city. It struck Willy that in many cases China’s hukou system is a family houses were purchased to subsequently registration system that connects families to remain uninhabited. These houses were one certain location and assigns them either located on the uttermost outskirts of the city, rural or urban status, which subsequently seemingly desolate places, with plentiful influences their access to social programs newly constructed flats but devoid of people. and state benefits (such as access to It is in these far-flung urban peripheries that education and health care) in differential house ownership is affordable. However, ways. The number of rural hukou holders living being so far removed from facilities, industry, in Chinese cities is estimated at approximately and labour markets, owners are forced 280 million. These citizens living outside their to reside elsewhere to make a living. area of registration are often referred to as These field observations were turned ‘being afloat’, for their lack of a stable into a short documentary film, Empty Home, home and local registration in the cities. in cooperation with visual anthropologist However, in an effort to put down new Sanderien Verstappen. Empty Home engages roots and affirm their urban identities, the with the question of house ownership in China rural-urban migrants Willy met in the field from the perspective of Wendy, a young were often interested in investing in urban real rural-urban migrant in Wuhan. It is a film estate. Their investments follow a national View from the window (filmstill Empty Home). The Newsletter No. 80 Summer 2018 7 The Study

and so they let their two daughters, Wendy and her older sister, take care of most of the decorating. The girls furnished the apartment with love and attention for detail, putting Wendy’s own drawings as well as a soft- coloured ‘Love Home’ IKEA painting on the wall. They now consider this apartment as their ‘family home’. Wendy took the presence of a camera as an opportunity to present herself and her family in ways that she herself chose. Her self-presentation took the form of a tour through the house, during which she opened cupboards, pointed at objects, and explained for each object how it had been brought to the A video tour through the apartment (filmstills Empty Home). house “by our own hands”. Objects that stood out as important were the house slippers and blankets made from cotton produced to think that travel in between these two status; moreover, the purchase of real estate house, and the effort that has been put in their village of origin. sites is easy, “very convenient”, optimistically has become inescapable for bachelors looking into its decoration, shows that its meaning Willy and Wendy discussed questions estimating the travel time at approximately to marry. It is true that with the country’s goes beyond economic strategy. The symbolic of residence. Sitting on the couch of the 1 hour in the film, whereas in reality the journey history of patrilocal living, provision of a value of purchasing a home in the city seems ‘empty’ apartment, Wendy explained how requires 4 hours of travel on several buses and ‘marriage house’ by the husbands’ family has to be its power to solidify rural migrants’ urban she lives in her shop and visits the family metro trains. In a city that now covers 8494 long been part of Chinese wedding traditions. status and sense of belonging to the urban apartment only occasionally, whilst her sister square kilometres — compared to, for example, But, whereas previous generations could community, and its physical representation married and moved in with her husband, and the 790 square kilometres of New York City — suffice with redecorating a room or building of the family unit. her parents live on the factory grounds in it is no surprise that a daily commute from the a structure on the family plot in the husband’s For rural families with long and complex Guangzhou. Wendy hopes that her parents apartment to the shop is simply not an option. village, rural families today are expected to histories of mobility, the purchase of an urban will live in the apartment in the future, With all other relatives residing even further provide the couple with a costly privately- apartment is often seen as the completion maybe after retirement. away, the apartment remains unoccupied owned apartment, preferably in an urban of a process of rural-urban transition. It seems Wendy’s family lives dispersed through- most of the year. Yet, Wendy tells us repeatedly environment. This provision of a new house that many of those families have practiced out the country — her parents and sister in in the film, this apartment is her ‘home’. for the newlywed couple is partly driven by rural-urban migration since the 1980s, when Guangzhou, some family members in Wuhan, competition for a relatively small number of fast economic development in cities and and one uncle remains in the old family house brides — due to China’s current imbalanced coastal areas created labour opportunities for in rural Hubei province. Only once did they all Settling in the city gender ratio. The promotion of the city and rural workers and restrictions on mobility were gather in the new apartment for a New Year’s The story of Wendy’s family is the story urban living as the desired form of modernity lifted. They are now making their connection celebration. In recent years, the family chose of many rural families in Hubei province, and is also reflected by government campaigns to the city more permanent by buying urban to return to the home village for this week of other parts of China. There has clearly been that call for speedy construction of the urban property, despite the continued restrictions festivities, to be surrounded by old neighbours, a shift in attitude towards housing and private environment (see, for example, the billboard of the Chinese hukou system. friends and family members. Wendy herself property since the Mao-era, when most urban featured in the film that says “speed up the Ever since Wendy was born, she and her does not have a strong connection to this citizens lived in apartments provided by their construction of our nation’s cities”). family members have been separated and village, having grown up mainly with her work units and rural citizens were organised How might we understand and further on the move. For Wendy, the shoe cabinet grandparents in another village — when in collective farms. During that time, owning interrogate these profound shifts in attitudes in the new apartment (made especially her parents were away as labour migrants private property put citizens in the dangerous towards house ownership in China, from for the storage of her sister’s shoes) and the — and in the school system where she was category of the landlord class, a classification collective to privately owned houses, and pictures on the wall (put there by her father) a boarding student from age 10. that could lead to persecution under the from rural to urban housing? From an make her feel at home in Wuhan and closer In the film, Wendy shows her current political campaigns that called for the economic perspective, the price of Chinese to her absent family members. Within a two ‘homes’, one being the new apartment, eradication of property-based class divisions. real estate has increased rapidly in past context of intense mobility and fast societal where she shows us around the living room Nowadays, however, statistics show that decades. Wendy believes that the price of transformation, might the meaning of this and two bedrooms, the other her shop, where house ownership is very popular in China. houses in China “can only go up”, and so, empty apartment then lie in its ability to she sleeps every night on a fold-out couch, The number of apartments bought has the purchase might be a smart investment. provide physical evidence of the existence together with her friend Lucky. Wendy likes become an important marker of a person’s However, the way Wendy speaks about the of this family, and its connection to the city?

Willy Sier is a PhD student at the Amsterdam Institute for Social Science Research, University of Amsterdam. Previously, she studied Chinese and lived in China for 8 years. [email protected] Sanderien Verstappen is a postdoctoral researcher in the Anthropology of Modern South Asia at LIAS (Leiden University Institute for Area Studies), and a fellow at the International Institute for Asian Studies (IIAS). Previously, she was a lecturer in visual anthropology at the University of Amsterdam. [email protected] The film Empty Home had its premiere at the VU Ethnographic Film Festival in Amsterdam and has been screened as part of bachelor courses and events at the University of Amsterdam, Leiden University, and the International Institute for Asian Studies. It was also published on the Guardian website on 24 March 2017 as part of their ‘The Other China’ series.

Notes

A billboard from a government campaign (filmstill Empty Home). 1 https://vimeo.com/209590747 8 U.S./Southeast Asia relations Trump’s retreat from multi-lateralism should The Study encourage Southeast Asian nations toward new areas of engagement.

Southeast Asia and Trump year one: a work in progress

Sally Tyler In November of 2016, I published an essay in New Mandala comparing Donald Trump with former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra; drawing parallels between their status as billionaires who have avoided financial transparency, marketed false narratives of themselves as self-made men, and displayed formidable media savvy.1 Like most political handicappers, I underestimated the Trump campaign’s appeal, and predicted his defeat.

few lines of that essay, however, Parallels in unexpected incarceration trends in both nations. Changes stand in crystalline relief when places to Internal Revenue Service (IRS) policy in the Atrying to decipher the rise of U.S. encouraged me to examine tax collection outlier candidates: Like many others in the U.S. who found efforts in Cambodia, Indonesia, and elsewhere themselves stunned by the outcome of the in Southeast Asia; and the necessity of a strong “The U.S. and Thailand are separated 2016 presidential election, I experienced public sector workforce to create a value-based by thousands of miles, but base voters the desire to be far away from my home system of tax participation. Going to the theatre for Thaksin and Trump share some notable in Washington DC on the day of Donald in Washington DC to see a new production of characteristics. The Bangkok taxi driver Trump’s inauguration in January of 2017. The King and I led to consideration of Thailand’s transplanted from Isaan might seem to For me, there was little question of where to lèse-majesté laws, and comparison with Trump’s have little in common with the gun-toting, go: Southeast Asia. I first began traveling in desire to tighten libel laws in the U.S., as well Christian fundamentalist in Oklahoma. the region more than two decades ago, and as the value of artistic free expression within Yet, both have felt overlooked by successive have developed enduring friendships there, a society. Other topics included labor rights, administrations, and have not identified which have led me to become a student the environment, refugees, space exploration, with the campaign rhetoric spun by of its culture and politics. the fashion industry, and more. What began traditional candidates. Both groups My work in the U.S. concerns both policy as taking note of quirky associations while have had their votes vilified as not merely and politics, and I hoped that post-election traveling morphed into a chronicle of the helping a disfavored candidate, but travel in the region would bring me respite indirect ways that policy developments in as actually undermining democracy. from it. It was impossible, however, to the U.S. and Southeast Asia can affect each Pundits on either side of the Pacific completely escape the political lens, and other; below are a few excerpts. have wondered how anyone could I saw parallels in unexpected places between support a demagogue like Thaksin events unfolding in the U.S. and in Southeast Above: On labor rights 2 U.S. President Donald Trump or Trump. “What is wrong with those Asia. I explored these parallels in a series of registers his surprise as he realises people?” has been a familiar, shocked articles published throughout 2017 in New (Failed Secretary of Labor nominee) other leaders, including Russia’s refrain. The more instructive question Mandala, ANU’s Policy Forum and the Mekong Puzder’s c.v. is a familiar roadmap to Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, from a political viewpoint is, “What is Review. I intentionally avoided the topics of Trumpland—a white male CEO with Vietnam’s Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, President of the wrong with democratic institutions for trade and defense, because they are already no experience in governance. His Senate Philippines Rodrigo Duterte and failing to craft policies and messages extensively covered in the media; and instead confirmation hearing was delayed, at least in Australia’s Prime Minister Malcolm more inclusive of society’s marginalized focused on more subtle connections on part because he failed to submit the required Turnbull, are crossing their arms for the traditional ‘ASEAN handshake’ factions to prevent them from becoming a wide range of issues. disclosure forms, apparently flummoxed by as he participates in the opening targets of megalomaniacal candidates?” A visit to a ‘prison without walls’ on the level of transparency regarding possible ceremony of the ASEAN Summit A democratic nation which ignores large the Philippine island of Palawan allowed conflicts of interest required of a Cabinet in Manila, Philippines, November 13, 2017. Copyright: REUTERS/ blocks of voters for long will be made reflection on efforts to roll back Obama era member. Or perhaps, it was indecision on Jonathan Ernst. to pay in one way or another.” criminal justice reforms in the U.S., and mass how to spin his hiring of an undocumented The Newsletter No. 80 Summer 2018 9 The Study

4 immigrant as a housekeeper, and the fact that On the fashion industry to attack by the government, regardless of of Colorado. Their report, The burden of he paid legally-required federal employment This week5 marks the launch of Asia Islamic the transgressions of their leaders. Thailand’s disease from rising coal-fired plant emissions taxes for her only after he had been nominated. Fashion Week, a first of its kind trade show in constitutional requirement that its monarch in Southeast Asia, concludes that Vietnam is The Secretary of Labor’s impact on Kuala Lumpur to showcase fashion featuring be Buddhist has created a de facto state the ASEAN country that will be most affected domestic policy is clear, but its linkage “cutting-edge style that is in line with Islamic religion. Despite its litany of legitimate or by coal pollution in the near future. They to foreign policy has received less public values”. The women who wear such clothing manufactured charges against (former abbot) estimate that more than 188 excess deaths attention. From taking a stand on whether have traditionally not identified it as ‘Islamic’, Dhammachayo, the junta must tread per million people will result there due to the worker standards are included in trade but simply as modest. The fact that the carefully in attacking any wat, even one burning of coal. agreements to weighing in on where nations organizers of the Malaysian exposition chose with deep connections to political forces With the Asia-Pacific region representing land on the State Department’s Trafficking in to brand it as an Islamic fashion event reflects which threaten its existence. four of the world’s top five coal producers Persons (TIP) report, the Department of Labor that they are aware that such clothing, and (China, India, Australia, and Indonesia), contributes significantly to U.S. foreign policy, the women who wear it, has reached a new 7 significant shifts toward coal could create and decisions made by a new secretary will level of global visibility in non-Islamic eyes. On substance abuse economic benefits in the area – but these will be felt by workers around the world. Though the wholesale and retail buyers Methamphetamine, whether called be more than offset by the erosion of progress Puzder’s track record as CEO offers a targeted by their trade show remain Muslim, shabu in the Philippines or yaba in Thailand, toward the Paris accord goals. If investment in dismal glimpse into his take on global their work, and any messages they wish to has long eclipsed heroin as the most abused renewable energy stalls, the global objective corporate responsibility. A key example is palm convey through it, now includes a potentially illicit drug in Southeast Asia, despite the of decreasing greenhouse gas emissions oil, demand for which by the U.S. fast food broader audience. region’s proximity to the Golden Triangle. by 2030 may prove unreachable. Thus, the industry has helped drive tropical deforestation Asia Islamic Fashion Week comes on the Ironically, though the U.S. is half a world ‘Bridge Scenario’ to increase Southeast Asia’s in Indonesia and Malaysia, contributing heels of the spring shows in New York, where away from opium’s fertile crescent, Americans reliance on renewable energy and decrease oil to global warming and air pollution in Indonesian designer Anniesa Hasibuan, who consume more drugs derived from opium than and coal consumption, envisioned by a 2015 Southeast Asia. As part of efforts to promote also made headlines by showcasing the first any other nation. Opioid overdoses are now report from the International Energy Agency, sustainable palm oil practices, the Union of all-hijab collection at Fall New York Fashion the most common type of accidental death in would be largely obliterated. Concerned Scientists released a score card Week, featured a cast of immigrant models, the U.S., accounting for more fatalities than indicating corporations’ commitments to use in response to the Trump Administration’s gun homicides and car crashes combined. deforestation-free palm oil. Puzder’s Hardees highly-publicized travel ban targeting nine When the US launched its so-called war The big picture and Carl’s Jr. brands received a score of zero. primarily-Muslim nations. on drugs in the 1980s in response to the Obviously, the people of Southeast Asia Because of such disregard for sustainable But beyond campaigns to confront implicit scourge of crack cocaine, criminal justice want to understand where their interests may food practices, as well as his company’s sordid bias and incorporate inclusive messaging, and sentencing policies were adjusted to lie in the Trump Administration’s new order, as history of labor violations, the International can prominent Trump policies be challenged incarcerate more people for longer times. Now, do people around the globe. But connecting Labour Rights Forum (ILRF) recently joined through fashion industry engagement? Lest 16 per cent of all federal and state prisoners the dots between the president’s words and with more than 100 organizations to oppose the sartorially-dismissive scoff, consider that are locked up for drug use, possession or sale, actions to reveal what might be considered Puzder’s nomination. fashion is a more than down from a high of a consistent foreign policy is challenging, at Globally-minded consumers need to know $1.75 trillion global 22 per cent in 2000. best. It may be more instructive to examine that the world’s largest economy is helping industry, accounting for “A leadership void More than half of all understated themes to piece together the ensure labor standards around the world. at least $370 billion of prisoners in Indonesia, big picture. Just as I want to be confident that a fashion spending in the U.S. The has been created; Malaysia, Myanmar, Themes which emerged include the bargain in Bangkok did not originate in an fashion industry could the Philippines and Trump Administration’s troubling retreat from unregulated hellhole like Rana Plaza, other potentially provide but nature abhors Thailand are jailed for multi-lateralism, particularly on pressing Americans should be able to eat a burger a valid test case for drug related crimes, issues requiring global solutions; and sheer that does not contribute to the erosion of engagement on Trump a vacuum.” and many nations inaction enabled by administrative chaos at habitat for diverse species in Southeast policies because it hits in the region require the highest levels. A leadership void has been Asia. But we can’t do this without a firm on so many key issues. compulsory detention created; but nature abhors a vacuum, and it and vigilant Department of Labor. The complex nature of the global supply chain for drug addicts. Such compulsory detention remains to be seen whether ASEAN nations will involved in fashion touches on trade, labor centers have come under scrutiny for human band together with more regional coherence 3 rights, gender equity and the environment, rights abuses, and for lacking scientifically- to address problems, whether they will take On mass incarceration among other issues. based rehabilitation therapies. more nuanced positions in bi-lateral dealings A prisoner named Ver gave me a tour of U.S. states have passed legislation with the U.S., or will develop stronger alliances parts of the compound open to the public 6 attempting to halt the rapid transformation with nations ready to assume a greater (the maximum security unit is off limits). On church-state relations from patient to addict by creating prescription leadership position. He told me that he received a life sentence, The threat of taxation has been the drug databases which can be monitored by The articles excerpted here are about of which he must serve 40 years, for selling primary regulatory mechanism that the law enforcement to scrutinise, and potentially neither U.S. nor Southeast Asian policy marijuana at the age of 21. He has now U.S. has used to shore up what Thomas stop, over-prescribers of opioids. The efforts in isolation, but rather illustrate a juncture served 32 years. Ver hails from Banaue, 330 Jefferson called “the wall of separation are working, as prescriptions for Oxycontin which may afford a synthesized exploration kilometres north of Manila. At the time of his between church and state”, as articulated (a brand name for oxycodone) have declined of both. As such, they may be difficult conviction, he had a wife and two babies, in the Establishment Clause of the First by 40 per cent since 2010. But even as reforms to characterize, particularly in a world whom he has not seen since his imprisonment. Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The are taking hold in the U.S., Big Pharma is prone to neat labels. Taken together, He was imprisoned in Manila for a few years primacy of this concept within American strategising ways to keep global sales strong. I hope they can help the reader recognize before being transferred to Iwahig, and says society cannot be minimized. The country’s Following the ‘playbook of big tobacco’ a greater connectivity between our two that the cost of travelling made family visits founders, some who had fled religious manufacturers, the drug companies’ solution regions, in what has become an increasingly prohibitive. He says he does not think much persecution, understood religious freedom to enhanced scrutiny back home involves fractured world. about what he will do when he is released, to incorporate both freedom to practice their global expansion, particularly in Asia’s as that is still eight years away and he will religion of choice, as well as freedom from developing nations. Sally Tyler is an attorney and policy be an old man by then. religion, a concept heartily articulated by Mundipharma, a subsidiary of Purdue analyst based in Washington DC and Historically, Iwahig has served as an Australia’s most recent census. Pharmaceutical, the maker of Oxycontin, the author of Of Temples and Territory: overflow for Manila’s notoriously overcrowded But without the impending stick of first began operations in Asia in 2011, as U.S. The ICJ’s Preah Vihear Decision and Its prisons, and those ranks are expanding taxation, would churches use their sales began to drop. With regional offices in Impact on Regional Dispute Resolution. She is currently working on gathering precipitously. Though most international considerable resources to play politics? Singapore, the firm’s promotional materials the articles referenced above into a scrutiny of Duterte’s so-called war on drugs Other nations seem to agree that they downplay the risk of opioid addiction. Instead, collection, linked by new, original content. has centered on extrajudicial killings, less might. In Singapore, churches are required flashy marketing campaigns have featured [email protected] emphasis has been given to the ever-widening to register as charities to receive a tax- glamorous celebrities who tell viewers not swath of humanity he has had thrown into exemption, with revenue from side business to resign themselves to chronic pain. prison. Now, lawmakers happy to do his or investment taxed at a regular rate, bidding are pushing legislation to lower the tax-exempt income is required to be used 8 age of criminal liability to nine years old, for charitable purposes or the routine On the environment where it had been until 2006, when the age operation of their ministries, as in the U.S. In late 2017, EPA director Scott Pruitt limit was raised to 15. Not surprisingly, the Singapore government announced that the “war on coal is over”, Through concerted approaches, including is efficient about policing revenue owed and that the agency will rescind the Obama new sentencing guidelines without mandatory to it, and leaders of the City Harvest Church Administration’s Clean Power Plan, which minimums and clemency toward individuals (CHC) were criminally convicted in a high- required utilities to steeply reduce carbon sentenced under previous guidelines, the profile case for misuse of SG$50 million of emissions as part of the administration’s Obama Administration had successfully donations meant for charity, funneling the overall goals to reduce greenhouse gas reduced the federal prison population from funds into the pastor’s wife’s pop singing emissions, central to its commitments within 220,000 inmates in 2013 to 195,000 inmates career, as well as an opulent penthouse the Paris accord on climate change, from Notes in 2016. Only days into a new Department of in Sentosa. which Trump has already signaled his intent 1 Tyler, S. ‘Second Acts for Thaksin and to withdraw. Justice, the dismantling of this progress began. Christianity, however, does not have Trump?’ New Mandala, 4 Nov. 2016 US Attorney General Sessions announced the lock on prosperity theology. Thailand’s The Trump Administration’s renewed 2 Tyler, S. ‘A Good Day’s Work’, New the reversal of Obama’s 2016 executive order Wat Dhammakaya urges adherents around endorsement of coal mirrors Vietnam’s recent Mandala, 16 Feb. 2017 aimed at reducing, and ultimately ending, the world to give generous donations as decision to mothball its long-standing plans 3 Tyler, S. ‘Lock Them All Up’, New Mandala, federal use of private prisons. a short-cut to merit making, and is to become Southeast Asia’s first nuclear- 16 Mar. 2017 And now, the Trump Administration conspicuous in its accumulation of wealth. powered nation, in favor of coal. Citing concern 4 Tyler, S. ‘A Fashionable Entry to Policy’, has thrown the nation once again into the Some have argued that the junta has been over both the level of public debt needed to New Mandala, 30 Mar. 2017 vicious cycle of the prison industrial complex. targeting the temple’s assets to line its own complete construction and ‘environmental 5 This excerpt originates from an article The cycle’s effect is long-term; characterized coffers, summoning images of Henry VIII’s risks’ following the disastrous Formosa leak, written on 30 March 2017. 6 Tyler, S. ‘Blurring the Lines Between by lack of economic and educational dissolution of the monasteries to pay for his the National Assembly announced a decision Church and State’, Policy Forum, 7 July opportunity coupled with discriminatory military campaigns. The endless Ramayana at the end of 2016 to halt development 2017 sentencing guidelines, resulting in a veritable ballet of Thaksin and Prayuth aside, the of the Ninh Thuan plant. 7 Tyler, S. ‘Exporting Addiction’, Policy prison pipeline for many young people, failed siege of Dhammakaya illustrates This sharp increase in the use of coal Forum, 7 Sept. 2017 particularly African Americans, leaving one peril involved in establishing a state will carry dire health effects, according to 8 Tyler, S. ‘Where There’s Smoke, There’s them just as hopeless as Ver in Iwahig. religion: its institutions become impervious researchers at Harvard and the University Coal’, Policy Forum, 13 Oct. 2017 10 Oligarchs Rodrigo Duterte’s rise represents The Study a diversification of rather than a challenge to the Philippine national elite.

not afford to alienate a military that used the protracted campaigns against communist guerillas to justify its continued preeminence.3 Manifestations of the Philippines’ continuing dependence on its former colonial master also Rodrigo Duterte persisted in aggravating nationalist sentiments. Eager to retain the favor of the United States, Aquino allowed Washington to hold on to its military bases at Clark Field and Subic Bay and the Philippine until these agreements came up for formal renewal. Disgusted by America’s support for the Marcos regime, enough pressure was maintained inside and outside the political establishment to close these bases down presidency in 1992. Yet, this only occurred after the Cold War had ended, thus creating the impression that the Americans had not been thrown Rupture or cyclicity? out so much as abandoned an overt military presence in the Philippines once it was no longer necessary. National leadership left much to be desired. Mesrob Vartavarian Scholars have devoted much attention to the rise of Rodrigo Presidents, weak and strong, rewarded cronies and kinsmen with lucrative contracts and Duterte and the impact his brand of populism has had on sinecures while leaving pressing problems the quality of Philippine democracy. This piece focuses unresolved. Politics seemed to be the exclusive preserve of a charmed circle of elite families instead on the evolving nature of the Philippine presidency who rotated high office amongst themselves. and gradual diversification of the national oligarchy. The dynastic nature of the Philippine presidency reached its apogee at the turn Rather than viewing Duterte as a break from the Philippine of the twenty-first century: two successive experiment with constitutional democracy or a reassertion presidents, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and Benigno Aquino III, were the children of former of national boss rule, it would be more accurate to view presidents. Impressive economic growth his rise as a manifestation of oligarchic proliferation, in has occurred since the early 2000s but little of this wealth has trickled down and the which actors and power groups previously excluded from Philippines remains far behind most of its the presidency manage to break into the national elite via neighbors in lowering the percentage of people living in poverty. political and electoral manipulation. Structures of illicit political bargaining that typified the pre-Marcos era emerged seemingly unscathed after 1986. National politicians aligned with provincial warlords and local strongmen who delivered guaranteed vote- banks during election campaigns in exchange for patronage and pork barrel projects. Most resource disbursements from the center to the periphery disappeared into the pockets of local political clans, empowering a few elite families at the expense of an effective civil infrastructure and the satisfactory delivery of services. All these sociopolitical ills are magnified manifold on the island of Mindanao, particularly in the autonomous Muslim areas. Neglect, mismanagement, clan feuds, and corruption have left large parts of the island mired in poverty and disappointment. National politics are remote and seemingly uninterested in southern provincial problems. It was widely felt that only a presidential candidate from Mindanao could understand and resolve the island’s inequities. Duterte presented himself as a familiar strongman who could get the job done. He gave frequent speeches and interviews in Visayan, the lingua franca of the central Philippines as well as northern and eastern Mindanao. This was a welcome relief from the Taglish-speaking elites of imperial Manila. His profanity-laced tirades and locker room banter made him come across as an avuncular figure not averse to using physical violence to keep unruly behavior in check. Mindanao’s electoral mobilization on behalf of one of its own was a major factor in Duterte’s victory, but it is unlikely he would have won the election without a similar sense Rodrigo Duterte and children at inauguration ceremony. Presidential Communications Operation Office, Public Domain. of disillusionment with elite politics throughout the archipelago. In areas like Central Luzon and the National Capital Region, voters turned Rejecting oligarchs: Duterte classes based in globally connected cities constitution that strictly curtailed possibilities to Duterte because he was an outsider. have neglected the socioeconomic concerns for authoritarian backsliding and greatly A new generation of young voters who had as demagogic populist of peripheral regions left behind as a result of empowered the national legislature. no memory of Ferdinand Marcos, martial law The most widely disseminated interpretation rapidly evolving economic structures. These Almost immediately, however, it became or the People Power Revolution backed an of the Duterte phenomenon contends that this globalist structures have placed more emphasis apparent that the Philippines had overthrown unknown quantity for the sake of shaking up local strongman from Davao City is a national on highly mobile forms of capital and service a national cacique only to see the return a stagnant status quo. manifestation of a troubling international sector jobs that require levels of education of traditional political dynasties committed Duterte’s ostensibly simple solutions to phenomenon. Namely, the rise of right-wing and training inaccessible to poorer segments to a severely truncated form of democracy.2 complex problems have brought disruption populist figures who have issued crude, but of the population. 1986 was more of a restoration than a rather than resolution. The scourge of at times unsettlingly effective challenges to According to proponents of oligarchic revolution. Proponents of major social reform criminality and illegal drugs, which Duterte liberal globalism. According to its detractors, rejection, the origins of this populist backlash were either met with congressional obstruction vowed to eradicate in a matter of months, has the humanist inclusivity of liberal rhetoric that in the Philippines can be dated to the People or military repression. No meaningful land resulted in an interminable war on the poor. claims to champion the rights of all races, Power Revolution of 1986.1 A combination reform took place, particularly on those Drug users and small time pushers are targeted genders, and sexual orientations is but a of virulent plunder politics and increasing estates owned by well-connected oligarchs. for extrajudicial execution while major kingpins mild palliative in the face of turbocharged neo- repression of traditional elites by the Counterinsurgency operations against have been largely unaffected. Duterte’s true liberal economic policies that have left more authoritarian regime of Ferdinand Marcos led agrarian leftist organizations launched during intentions appear to be a nationwide social and more wealth in fewer and fewer hands. to a groundswell of mass opposition, which the the Marcos years continued under the new cleansing of indigents and undesirables. Neoliberal globalization has been accused of armed forces refused to suppress. Abandoned democratic dispensation. Beset by a wide The poor are a convenient scapegoat for the creating deep fissures between classes and by their military and police, the Marcos family array of economic woes and attempted coups social ills that plague the body politic, but regions across what were once more cohesive fled. The new democratic government of by disgruntled elements of the Armed Forces of killing them does not reform the structural nation-states. Cosmopolitan upper and middle Corazon Aquino gave the Philippines a new the Philippines (AFP), President Aquino could inequalities that produce those ills. The Newsletter No. 80 Summer 2018 11 The Study

The near obsession with eradicating or try hard enough to lessen the staggering This period of centralized executive power His law-and-order platform, undergirded illegal drugs in slum areas further delayed disparities between rich and poor. Access to was brought to an end by the Japanese by a steady hum of extrajudicial executions, the enactment of the Bangasamoro Basic socioeconomic resources were still heavily invasion. The violence and dislocation that made him popular with local business interests Law (BBL) of 2014, which would give territorial dependent on the favor and patronage of came with Japanese occupation created and Chinese investors seeking to expand their autonomy to the Muslim south. The Moro elite families. The Philippine presidency was spaces for new power networks. Followings horizons into the island of Mindanao. Duterte Islamic Liberation Front’s inability to pass the still exposed to capture by a wild oligarch.4 cohered around local strongmen who could allowed the business sector to accumulate BBL in partnership with Duterte expeditiously Oligarchic power was temporarily tamed obtain weapons and plunder. Rivals were profits without being too avaricious or involved weakened the organization’s credibility through a plethora of civic reform programs eliminated under vague accusations of in their activities. This set the precedent and among its members and precipitated the and presidential initiatives, but its deep ‘collaboration’ as armed bands competed for tone for his economic policy at the national breakaway of disaffected family clans who structures endured, making it possible for smuggling routes and high-value contraband. level. Although his associations with the leftist joined or founded more extremist Islamic Duterte’s predatory populism to take hold. The political future belonged to these local movement and hostility to the United States groups. The Maute group’s rise was a result toughs. With independence in 1946, they make him something of an atypical president, of these frustrations. Their seizure of Marawi quickly entered the national legislature, using he is quite the typical warlord. Duterte built City in conjunction with other extremist gangs Oligarchic proliferation: their war records and armed followings to alliances with and accepted resources blindsided Manila. The AFP missed numerous obtain electoral support. Ferdinand Marcos from any quarter that would increase his self-declared deadlines for Marawi’s complete an expanding national elite was only the most successful example of personal power. liberation. More damaging has been Duterte’s The abovementioned theories focus more guerilla commanders who had gone to Upon his election to the presidency, Duterte imposition of martial law on the entire island of on contemporary practices and beliefs than Manila. Once in the national political arena, brought a bevy of advisors and acolytes with Mindanao. Although not as all-encompassing on long-term historical trajectories. Once he furnished his kin, armed followers, and him to Manila. Team Duterte quickly replicated a political crackdown as the variant imposed established, the traditional families appear former fraternity brothers with further rewards. local methods of social control on a national by Marcos over forty years ago, it brought unshakable and near hegemonic in their Marcos also made extensive use of the rapidly scale, with the killings of social marginals back bitter memories of an era thought to be control of national political office. Some modernizing news media to construct an image across the archipelago becoming a top priority. long gone. The fighting in Marawi also offset oligarchs are more civil and reform-minded of heroic military service that went well beyond The rhetorical flourish utilized by traditional Duterte’s attempted tilt away from the United than others, but they are basically cut from the factual record. In addition, he managed to elites to mask the brutalities of a profoundly States, with the military seeking the technical the same cloth and in being so their reformism market himself as a firm believer in top-down unequal society was quickly dropped in favor assistance of American special operations can only go so far. While it is true that national technocratic modernity, which would catapult of a far cruder demonization of the superfluous forces without initially informing Duterte elites have rarely been eliminated, they the Philippines into the foremost ranks poor. Oligarchs who had been under a cloud of their intention to do so. have had to share the trough of state with of developing nations. during Aquino III’s administration were quickly Oligarchic rejection thus led to a rash an increasing variety of voracious mouths. All this was enough to win him the rehabilitated and Duterte was frequently seen decision on the part of voters to back a local An examination of Philippine political presidency in 1965, but if he wanted to hold hobnobbing with the likes of Gloria Arroyo, warlord for the nation’s highest office. Although development since the American colonial onto it indefinitely he would need the military. Estrada, and the Marcos family. The Marcoses he ran Davao City relatively effectively, the advent demonstrates that Duterte is as much The politicization of a heretofore professional delivered him the votes of Ilocos Norte, their use of local methods to solve national problems a manifestation of oligarchic proliferation as a officer corps began almost immediately. provincial bailiwick, in exchange for expediting has had very mixed results. While Duterte has rupture or cyclical phase. From the beginning Budget increases, infrastructure projects, their political rehabilitation, symbolized by thus far been able to reward his supporters and of the twentieth century, the Philippine national and slush funds gave military and police Ferdinand’s reburial in Heroes’ Cemetery. coopt most of the national legislature through elite has become progressively diverse. Various commanders a taste for power. When Marcos Duterte has also experienced substantial the disbursement of presidential patronage, he oligarchs of different origins have had to share declared martial law in 1972 their status and pushback from other established oligarchic has not dismantled vested interests committed an increasingly crowded national political opportunities for illicit enrichment increased interests. Fidel Ramos chided Duterte for to the socioeconomic status quo. While Duterte’s arena. The initial channeling of local and exponentially. Marcos continuously allowed his tilt away from the United States and other violence at home and grandstanding abroad regional elites into Manila politics by American them to accrue wealth and in exchange senior officers grumbled at his patronage have been cathartic for many, the Philippines colonial officials led to a homogenization of the they continued to support his dictatorship. of the police at the expense of the AFP. remains as oligarchic a state as ever. national political class. This homogenization Yet, the dictator had made a mistake. His Such opposition has compelled Duterte began to break down during the Second World military and police cronies soon became to backtrack on his anti-American rhetoric War. Marginal and more militarized elements autonomous oligarchs in their own right. The and the protracted conflict in Marawi City Philippine oligarchic of this elite began to penetrate national profits they accumulated from payoffs, black made for quite amicable exchanges between cycles: wild and reformist office in ways previously thought impossible. market ventures, and smuggling routes were Duterte, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, These aggressive up-and-comers assembled plowed back into constructing client networks and President Trump during ASEAN’s 2017 fluctuations client networks that allowed them to distance of their own. When the regime’s prospects summits. Certain senators have also expressed Theories of oligarchic rotation have viewed themselves from established political families. became untenable they readily turned against growing unease at the negative international Philippine national politics as a cyclical Marcos’s consolidation of power and declaration it to preserve their privileges. Abandoned by imagery generated by the drug war, a down- phenomenon that operates according to the of martial law then saw the politicization of his security forces during the People Power ward slide that could result in divestment disposition of the national executive. Corazon a heretofore apolitical military. Finally, since Revolution, Marcos had no option but to and credit rating downgrades. Duterte has Aquino’s presidency from 1986 to 1992 saw the year 2000, local warlords from fringe areas pack up and fly away. responded to elite criticism with a combination the reestablishment of elite families who were have been gaining in power and influence, Having enabled the fall of Marcos, the of threats and half-hearted investigations denied the spoils of office under the Marcos a trend which culminated in one local warlord security forces felt entitled to a preeminent of police excesses. dictatorship. Although President Aquino herself seizing control of the national state. political role in the new era. A series of It remains to be seen if the various oligarchs rarely engaged in pathological excesses, a Political horizons began to expand for coups were launched against a tottering in Manila will fully accept Duterte as one of number of her close family and key associates the indigenous elite during the archipelago’s Aquino administration, several of which their own. Established families and interests ruthlessly reasserted their dominance over transition from Spanish to American rule. came dangerously close to succeeding. can be cajoled and occasionally bullied, but local bailiwicks and lucrative assets. Fierce Philippine elites were no strangers to fierce Consequently, Aquino agreed to maintain never fully eradicated. Most of them must competition between provincial clans for electoral contests that determined the Marcos-era security structures and make eventually be accommodated, or else a hostile legislative seats and mayoralties resulted in distribution and denial of resources. However, Fidel Ramos her foremost advisor on military oligarchic coalition might coalesce, as it did extensive electoral violence. The AFP and police under Spanish rule elections were limited to matters. Coup threats were thus contained, in 1986, and place Duterte in an untenable remained on hand to suppress those voices the local level. As an increasingly valuable but at the price of sustaining institutions position. Populist pronouncements aside, and non-governmental organizations calling possession of Spain’s and personnel from Duterte’s principle intention appears to be the for genuine social reform. The administration dwindling empire, an authoritarian past. consolidation of his position as a new type of of Fidel Ramos, 1992-1998, significantly provincial and capital “ … national elites [ … ] The subsequent Ramos national oligarch; whether or not he succeeds, tamped down on egregious political violence. administrative positions presidency saw former other local warlords will invariably follow suit. Although a former Marcos crony and kinsman, were reserved for have had to share the military and police Duterte’s rise to power represents a further Ramos went some way toward portraying Spaniards alone. commanders reach widening of the Philippine oligarchic gyre. the Philippines as a business friendly country The lockout of trough of state with an the commanding eager for foreign investment. Attempted coups indigenous elites from increasing variety of heights of political Mesrob Vartavarian became a thing of the past and economic lucrative government power. Ramos filled his Independent Scholar deregulation was the order of the day. posts was a major voracious mouths.” administration with [email protected] These reforms were far from complete by factor precipitating over a hundred retired the time Ramos left office. Partial stabilization the Philippine struggle officers.7 Although the was followed by an extended period of for independence. armed forces were retrenched and modernized Notes wild oligarchic accumulation during the Faced with a formidable insurrection to a significant extent, Ramos maintained its 1 Teehankee, J.C. & M.R. Thompson. presidencies of Joseph Estrada, 1998-2001, of their own, American policymakers cast privileged position and rewarded his former 2016. ‘Electing a Strongman’, Journal and Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, 2001-2010. about for ways to dissipate mass resistance. military associates with the plums of office. of Democracy 27(4):125-34. The Arroyo years saw the very worst of what Initially, they opted to govern the archipelago The Estrada and Arroyo years witnessed 2 Anderson, B. 1988. ‘Cacique Democracy presidential predation had to offer. Provincial through highly educated Manila-based elites. the elevation of local warlords to heretofore and the Philippines: Origins and Dreams’, warlords such as ‘Chavit’ Singson in Ilocos Sur Very soon, however, American administrators unknown levels of prominence. Marcos had New Left Review 169:3-31. and the Ampatuan clan in the autonomous found these capital-elites ill-suited to govern a used warlords to drum up support and marshal 3 McCoy, A.W. 1999. Closer than Brothers: Muslim areas were given free reign so long as highly localized and deeply fragmented polity. votes in the past, but they were never a Manhood at the Philippine Military Academy. New Haven and London: major component of his inner circle. Arroyo’s they delivered the votes Arroyo’s clique needed The colonial state thus began to cultivate Yale University Press, ch.7-8. to prolong its rule and amass further plunder. local and provincial elites who were then cast reliance on the vote-banks of the Ampatuan 4 Quimpo, N.G. ‘Can the Philippines’ 5 The damage inflicted under Arroyo was so upwards into national politics. Weaving local clan by contrast meant sustained levels Wild Oligarchy be Tamed?’, in Case, extensive that significant reforms were required indigenous elites into central administrative and of presidential patronage and support for W. (ed.) 2015. Routledge Handbook to salvage the Philippines’ international political networks substantially weakened the provincial predation. Full presidential backing of Southeast Asian Democratization. image and economic prospects. Benigno insurgency. Popular and millenarian movements created a sense of complete impunity that London: Routledge, p.347. Aquino III’s presidential term from 2010 to would continue to erupt in rural and urban areas eventually went too far. Had the Ampatuans 5 Cullinane, M. 2003. Ilustrado Politics: 2016 saw a sustained drive against corruption but were not enough to halt the coalescence of not committed the Maguindanao massacre Filipino Elite Responses to American and attempts to prosecute provincial clans a self-replicating national oligarchy. This stage in 2009, they might have used their near total Rule, 1898-1908. Quezon City: Ateneo de Manila University Press. involved in politically motivated massacres. of Philippine political development reached a control of the autonomous Muslim region to act 6 Abinales, P.N. & D.J. Amoroso. 2017. While political killings as a whole were never high point under the authoritarian presidency as kingmakers in future presidential elections. State and Society in the Philippines. 6 completely eliminated, they ceased to manifest of Manuel Quezon. He carefully cultivated Rodrigo Duterte’s urban warlordism proved Lanham: Rowman and Littlefield, themselves in the brazen and bloody manner alliance networks stretching from rural far more successful.8 He launched his career pp.153-157. that typified the Arroyo era. However, Aquino localities to Washington, DC. Soon, almost from a narrower base, Davao City, where he 7 ibid., McCoy, pp.31-32. III’s administration did not last long enough all state patronage flowed from his hands. had to contend with fewer jostling interests. 8 ibid., Abinales & Amoroso, pp.337-342. 12 Academic censorship Exploring censorship in the context The Opinion of research and publishing.

issues, and to write and speak with a sense of concern and commitment – this not only with regard to professional scholarship per se, but equally to larger social ideals of intercultural Experiences with censorship understanding and social cohesion. This maximised the desire for freedom to research, write and publish – and minimised any tendency to practise self-censorship. At the in research and publication on same time, in the context of volatile religious politics, the closed-door discussions which were part of our research methodologies were not seen as reflecting or perpetuating Singapore’s multiculturalism the lack of freedom to speak openly, but as safe spaces where participants felt free to speak frankly. Nor was censorship by gatekeepers a rigid practice to be Lai Ah Eng unquestioningly accepted, but to be negotiated based on facts and reasoning. The books still got published. And as for self-interests, I did not lose my job nor did I switch to safer topics. Indeed, my idealistic motivations, nerve and competency to research multiculturalism, with all its ‘minefields’, were gradually recognised.

Academic responsibility This short essay is based on my own work experiences. in the real world The second reason behind self-censorship I write about censorship by the state, vested interest in publication is the fear of causing offence groups or individuals, and even oneself, in the context Leaders of the main faiths in Singapore. to others and of the social consequences, Photo © www.mfa.gov.sg. particularly contributing to intercultural of research and publication of findings on the topic of tensions. Whether to publish in the interests multiculturalism in Singapore. By censorship, I mean as full of ‘superstition’ to account for massive of knowledge or to omit a piece of evidence, broadly the curtailment of freedom to research and conversions out of it; and that I was giving fact or opinion to avert offence and its unwarranted attention to the secular state’s consequences – requires discerning judgement present certain information and interpretations in public management of multi-religious Singapore. based on skills, experience and grounded through publication, either through formal means or I responded that I was simply reporting awareness. Having directly experienced converts’ given reason for leaving the religion, an ethnic riot (Kuala Lumpur, 13 May 1969), through practice and judgement in professional conduct. and that not to discuss the dominant state’s and having witnessed or researched ethnic role in the Singapore case would be negligent tensions over the years, has shaped my views and careless scholarship. Thus far, nothing has towards a broader sense of responsibility in happened censorship-wise since the book’s research and scholarship on multiculturalism. Multiculturalism was successful only in a subsequent publication, even though it covered several Rigorous gathering, analysing and interpreting assessment. Yet when the completed project, highly contested issues such as religious of evidence remain the main requirements in Singapore with the proposed title “Beyond Rituals and proselytisation, absolutism and extremism of responsible research. But responsibility I have had a mixed career in social Riots” (2004), was ready for publication, in some interpretations, gay rights and homo- is also about consciously considering the research (1982 to date) in various govern- I was advised by my directors to replace sexuality and the secular-religious divide. social impact and consequences, whether ment and academic and policy research ‘Riots’ with ‘Rhetoric’. However, I insisted on policy and practice implications or the organisations, working primarily on Sing- that the most important word in the title was behaviour of vested interest groups or apore’s multiculturalism (with its overlapping ‘Beyond’, and that ‘Riot’ was both a state- Self-censorship individuals. Responsibility’s underpinning ideal ethnic, cultural and religious dimensions). referenced and academic/research concept. There are at least two reasons behind of contributing towards better understanding Multiculturalism is highly complex and open The next publication “Facing Faiths, possible self-censorship. The first is the fear and management for the common good and a to uncertainty, contestation and tension, Crossing Cultures” (2005) was a compilation of authority, be this the state or powerful cohesive multiculturalism is all the more central and thus research and publication on it is of an intercultural and interfaith dialogue series gatekeepers such as work superiors or even in importance in our time. As such, rather open to critical and censoring comments and of public lectures, seminars and discussions. publishers, and the consequences for self- than focus on censorship versus freedom in responses, be this by the state, various vested In order to facilitate open and frank exchange, interests. The fear of state limits on academic a narrow sense, I consider social responsibility interest groups/individuals and/or myself. some discussions were conducted as closed- freedom in Singapore has its roots in early in scholarship and publication to be a parallel The Singapore state has historically set door sessions. Nothing happened censorship- post-colonial nation-building history in which challenge. Working under the often complex, the institutional framework for social-cultural wise in this unprecedented dialogue series, there were varied views on the autonomous uncertain and volatile conditions that policies. Multiculturalism is an explicitly although I was taken to task for inviting an role of universities. This was made worse by multiculturalism presents, the responsibility declared founding principle in its nation- outspoken intellectual, who was critical of the state’s authoritarian and interventionist of taking extra care, caution and consideration building project, but ‘race’ and ‘religion’ are American foreign policies, as a speaker. My tendencies in political and social life, of the consequences of publication is not treated as sensitive subjects requiring careful justification: he had credentials and expertise particularly through punitive action against so much an act of self-censorship that goes management through a plethora of legislative in interfaith issues, foreign policy views aside. mostly political individuals whose public against academic freedom, but an expression measures and institutional arrangements. I approached a following research project, views and actions were seen as disruptive to of the responsibility that must accompany it. State rhetoric on multiculturalism is focused on religious diversity, with the understanding public order or threatening to social stability. This larger sense of responsibility also helps around celebration of its diversity and fear that there were huge gaps of knowledge At the same time, its pragmatic priority us make clearer and better judgements in our of its conflict-proneness. Any direct state to be urgently filled and issues to be better over economic survival and economic goals decisions on what to publish for the real world. censorship and legal action is justified on understood and managed for the larger rendered the social sciences and independent Other issues, such as access to info- grounds of the potential dangers of ethnic and social good. I worried about finding enough critical thinking on social issues unappreciated, rmation held by the state and the culture religious extremism to public order and social participants with sufficient local knowledge even sometimes distrusted. The culture of of civil debate, discussion and dialogue, stability. Although such action has been taken and experience for the project, but the end caution and fear of writing and speaking affect freedom and censorship. But there is mainly against those in mainstream media result was a bumper crop of 28 contributions. on the ‘sensitive’ topics of race and religion now definitely more freedom to research and and political and religious individuals and not In the context of rising religious disrespect, is also a consequence of the larger ethnic publish on issues of race and religion than against academics, the academic atmosphere extremism, aggressive proselytisation, politics of the 1960s and 1970s in Malaysia before, and one must continue to expand has been affected and discourse on race and provocative behaviour and other inter-religious and Singapore, and later of religious politics. this freedom. It also remains forever true to religion is generally one of extreme caution tensions in Singapore and elsewhere, each However, it would be mistaken to think write and publish honestly and responsibly, and preferably evaded. Some of my invitation to contribute was undertaken with that this culture of caution and fear is rigid without fear or favour. experiences point to caution and censorship earnestness, concern and commitment to the and unchanging. Since the 1990s, there has not directly by the state, but by gatekeepers larger social good of interfaith understanding. been a gradual opening up of research and Lai Ah Eng Adjunct Senior Fellow, in academic and research organisations. My editorial approach to the rare chance of scholarship to address pertinent and pressing University Scholars Programme, publishing the project’s “Religious Diversity social issues, including race and religion, National University of Singapore. in Singapore” (2008) was one of including as as younger generations of both locally- and [email protected] Experiencing caution much as possible within the scope of religious foreign-educated scholars and researchers diversity, with the exception of one detail entered the field. There was a strongly felt Note and censorship on religious proselytisation in one chapter: urgency to fill huge gaps in and catch up with My attempt to publish my doctoral I removed, to the dismay of the author, an information and higher level knowledge, and The ongoing incident (since March 2018), thesis “Meanings of Multiethnicity” with example of overzealous religionists posing a hunger for discussion and varied views on in which the Law Minister intensively a local publisher, with the aim to promote as tourists visiting some named religious sites complex and difficult topics, amidst rapid questioned historian P.J. Thum on his ‘fake local publishing, was met with silence from (in Singapore and Malaysia), but who were changes and developments. The advent of the news’ interpretation of the state’s rationale a commercial house, and a verbal response actually engaging in spiritual warfare and internet and social media further drastically for the arrest of political opponents from a local research institute: “the director praying for their collapse. I feared that the changed views and expectations about (Operation Coldstore, 1963) on grounds of said not ready to publish such a book”. example might trigger more inter-religious social research and its public implications. public security, is a case of old versus new political styles of managing information, The final recourse was to publish it with anxiety, mistrust and even provide fuel for fire. Thus, even as I worried about finding enough publication and interpretation. I view Oxford University Press (1995). My primer on “Religion in Singapore” (2017) participants from the local pool for my the Minister’s style as akin to that of My application for a job in a policy received two major reviewer’s comments research projects, those I found showed some old ruling party first-generation research institute, based on a research that posed potential censoring edits: that I sincere interest and earnest desire to take political leaders’, and Thum’s as that of proposal on multiracialism in Singapore, misrepresented one of the religions discussed up the challenge of researching difficult an idealistic and young historian’s. The Newsletter No. 80 Summer 2018 China Connections Regional Editor 13 Chinese tea and Asian societies Kunbing Xiao The Region

Chinese tea and

Center for Global Asia Asian societies at NYU Shanghai The Center for Global Asia at NYU Shanghai serves as the hub within the NYU Global Network University system to promote the Kunbing Xiao Tea originated in China and has spread worldwide over the past two study of Asian interactions and comparisons, centuries. Tea plants are highly sensitive to their natural environment both historical and contemporary. The overall objective of the Center is to provide global and, even today, are mainly cultivated in subtropical Asian countries. societies with information on the contexts The cultivation, processing and consumption of tea has influenced Asian for the reemerging connections between the various parts of Asia through research societies for centuries, in various ways. In this edition of ‘China Connections’, and teaching. Collaborating with institutions inspired by Appadurai’s ‘Disjuncture and difference in the global cultural across the world, the Center seeks to play a bridging role between existing Asian economy’, we explore how tea, as a commodity critically involved in modern studies knowledge silos. It will take the lead world history, affected ancient China’s regional politics, and how it still in drawing connections and comparisons between the existing fields of Asian studies, permeates ordinary people’s lives in Asia. and stimulating new ways of understanding Asia in a globalized world.

e encourage our readers to impact on economics, politics and people’s The extensive influence of tea has consider tea in both its macroscalar daily lives throughout Asia. These fascinating also challenged researchers’ assumptions Asia Research Center Wand microscalar contexts. On the one research findings also remind us of Okakura and knowledge, making an interdisciplinary hand, tea is associated with regime change, Kakuzō’s claim made approximately 200 approach and methodology essential for at Fudan University long-distance transportation, the organ- years ago, when he asserted that “Asia is the study of tea. From China of the Tang Founded in March 2002, the Asia Research ization of production, and global capitalism, one”, a possible contemplation on his latter Dynasty to California in America, from Center at Fudan University (ARC-FDU) is and so has propelled the emergence of the even more renowned work, ‘The Book of Tea’. British Indian tea plantations to teahouses one of the achievements of the cooperation world trade system. On the other hand, tea However, a discussion about tea in in Chaozhou, tea has influenced our of Fudan and the Korean Foundation for is closely related to our consumption habits, Asian societies should never ignore western societies dynamically and is still shaping Advanced Studies (KFAS). Through the years, our social organization and life-styles, and influences. We cannot imagine those our modern world. We hope that the the center is making all the efforts to promote to some extent reflects our bodily perception tea plantations in Darjeeling and Assam following articles will unveil some of tea’s Asian Studies, including hosting conferences of the environment. without the enthusiastic British search for mysteries and enable you to enjoy more and supporting research projects. ARC-FDU the taste of tea. The circulation of Chinese than just a cup of the beverage. keeps close connections with the ARCs in Following the ‘the flow of tea’, five tea around the world occurred at the same mainland China and many institutes abroad. articles outline the transmission of tea and time as westerners invaded the old empire. the interplay of tea-tasting arts in Asian Thus, global capitalism has been a critical Kunbing Xiao iis Associate Professor of Anthropology at Southwest Minzu societies, including China, British India factor, infiltrating and becoming rooted University; the CGA-ARC postdoctoral and Taiwan. Researchers working from the in Asian societies. In the modern era, tea’s fellow at the Center for Global Asia diverse backgrounds of history, art history, globalisation is significantly accelerating (2017-2018) NYU Shanghai; and Regional anthropology and substance abuse, reveal and becoming more widely appreciated Editor of 'China Connections'. in their studies the hidden nature of tea’s than ever before. [email protected]

Again, this was accomplished by cultivating gongfu tea came to be regarded not as one expertise and discernment in one or more among many regional styles in China, but Tea and everyday life: observations of several domains, for example, creating a as Chinese tea art per se.3 Thirdly, outside special space for drinking tea; seeking out high China gongfu tea is being promoted as an from Chaoshan, Guangdong quality tea utensils; exploring philosophical authentic, national Chinese ‘tea ceremony’, and spiritual aspects of tea-drinking; by implication analogous to the well-known developing a capacity to understand and Japanese tea ceremony, with cultural roots Peter d’Abbs appreciate the qualities and properties of any that go back to ancient times. This last claim given tealeaves, and knowing where and how is bolstered by historically dubious suggestions to purchase teas of the finest quality. that Chaoshan gongfu tea is a modern hat place do the rich traditions social relationships through which a distinctive Today’s globalised world is characterised manifestation of Tang dynasty tea-drinking of Chinese tea culture hold in the and valued regional culture is transmitted. by what some sociologists have described practices as described by Lu Yu in the oldest Weveryday lives of people in a fast- As literary descriptions tell us, gongfu tea is as transnational streams of ‘cultural capital’, extant treatise on tea, the Cha Jing or changing, increasingly consumerist society? a highly refined way of preparing and drinking in which cultural objects from one place are Classic of Tea. (In fact, gongfu tea almost To explore this question, I travelled to a region tea, using small teapots, preferably of Yixing appropriated, redefined and repackaged certainly originated in the 18th century in renowned for its traditional tea culture: the or Chaozhou clay, or porcelain gaiwan, in for deployment as commodities elsewhere.2 the Wuyi mountain area of Fujian province.) Chaoshan (潮汕) region in eastern Guangdong which to prepare a very strong brew, most In the case of Chaoshan gongfu tea, it is Where these cultural streams will flow province, home of gongfu tea – one of the frequently of the locally grown, semi-fermented possible to detect at least three such ‘streams’. in future is a question for another day. In the most elegant and refined of China’s diverse Fenghuang Dancong (鳳凰單叢) tea. This Firstly, within China, gongfu tea modelled meantime, in at least one region of China, tea-drinking traditions. Through in-depth, is poured into small cups of around 30 ml on Chaoshan practices has been taken up by traditional tea culture continues to enrich informal interviews, and observations over capacity for drinking repeated infusions from many non-Chaoshan people, particularly in the lives, not just of a privileged cultural elite, several trips to Chaozhou and other centres the same tealeaves. From my observations, business settings, as a vehicle for interacting but of people everywhere. in Chaoshan, I tried to understand what preparing and drinking gongfu tea requires and negotiating with associates. Secondly, gongfu tea meant for people in Chaoshan.1 attentiveness to procedural details – to being in the emergence of contemporary tea Peter d’Abbs is Professorial Research jiangjiu (講究) – but this was achieved, not art in Taiwan that began in the 1970s, Fellow, School of Public Health, The first finding that became apparent to by slavishly following a rigid sequence of steps a style of drinking adapted from Chaoshan University of Queensland, Australia. me was how deeply gongfu tea was integrated as some literary accounts [email protected] into the everyday lives of people of all kinds of suggest, but by showing social background. As one of my interviewees skill and dexterity. A gongfu explained, it has ‘seeped into our bones’. tea-drinking occasion People who were born and raised in Chaoshan creates its own tempo. Notes did not consciously learn about gongfu tea, Regardless of whether the 1 d'Abbs, P. 2017. Art as Everyday Practice: they simply came to know about it as they occasion lasts ten minutes or A Study of Gongfu Tea in Chaoshan, grew up. The integral place of gongfu tea had two hours, during this time China. Master of Arts with Honours, three dimensions: spatial, temporal and social. participants put aside the University of New England, Armidale, NSW. Spatially, gongfu tea was everywhere. In the incessant demands for haste 2 Appadurai, A. (ed.) 1986. The Social workplaces, shops or homes that I observed, that punctuate the world Life of Things: Commodities in Cultural a gongfu tea set was always found in regular around and appreciate the Perspective. Cambridge University use. Temporally, gongfu tea is woven into tea slowly. Press; Palumbo-Liu, D. & Gumbrecht, H. the rhythms of everyday life: at home, after For most of my research (eds) 1997. Streams of Cultural Capital: dinner; and in shops, whenever trading is participants, drinking Transnational Cultural Studies. Stanford University Press. slow, out comes the gongfu tea set. Above all, gongfu tea was seen as 3 Shuenn-Der Yu. 2016. ‘Taiwan and the drinking gongfu tea can be considered to be “part of our lives”. Some Globalization of Puer Tea: The Role of the a social activity, nurturing relationships with participants, however, had Taste of Aging’, Cultural and Religious family, friends and associates, and in doing so, chosen to elevate their tea- Studies 4(5):310-320; doi:10.17265/2328- affirming the drinkers’ identity in a network of drinking to a kind of art. Gongfu tea. Creative Commons. Courtesy Cosmin Dordea on Flickr. 2177/2016.05.004 14 China Connections Regional Editor The Region Chinese tea and Asian societies Kunbing Xiao

efforts of research and teaching on campus Culture and Science, and then the curricula and through national and international on Global Tea Culture and Science. GTI aims The Global Tea Initiative at UC Davis partnerships and exchange; developing to collaborate and partner with scholars, a curriculum for undergrads and grads, research institutes, and the tea industry as well as extramural courses for industry nationally and internationally. With its broad Katharine P. Burnett specialists and the general public. When GTI mandate for research and teaching across becomes an institute, we envision a dedicated the disciplines and from a global perspective, building with tearooms and gardens, exhibition GTI aims to work collegially and flexibly with n 2015, the University of California, Davis space for narrating the stories of tea culture others, with an inclusionary attitude. launched the Global Tea Initiative for the and science around the world, meeting and IStudy of Tea Culture and Science (GTI). teaching space, a sensory theater, and more. Katharine P. Burnett Associate Professor GTI is now transitioning to become the Global Although Camelia sinensis is the primary focus, of Art History at UC Davis, is Founding Tea Institute for the Study of Tea Culture GTI scholars acknowledge not only that many Director of UC Davis’s Global Tea Initiative and Science. GTI is committed to producing things are consumed as tea, but also many for the Study of Tea Culture and Science tea research with a global perspective and diverse tea cultures exist around the world. at the University of California, Davis. Her interdisciplinary research explores how supporting research on tea from anywhere All merit study. cultural values are manifested in art, what in the world, in any discipline, and with any Students are eager for formal classes it means to collect art, and now also, what methodology. and research opportunities. Some of us are we can learn about cultures and societies already making this possible in our home through studying individual and diverse GTI’s mission is to promote the under- departments. This year, seven GTI members tea cultures. For more information about standing of Camelia sinensis through team-taught a trans-disciplinary First Year GTI, please contact Katharine Burnett, evidence-based research. Its goals are many. Seminar on Global Tea Culture and Science, [email protected]. To inquire about They include fostering knowledge about tea a course aimed at new students on campus. supporting the program, please contact Global Tea Initiative with photograph of Tea Garden through colloquia and symposia, lecture series This course is providing the basis from which Assistant Dean Charlene A. Mattison, Village, Qinghai. Photograph courtesy of Zhong Zhao, [email protected] and workshops, and through the extended Green Camel Bell NGO, China. to build a permanent course on Global Tea

The globalization of Chennian and Qingxiang

Shuenn-Der Yu

tudying the globalization of ‘aging’ the Hong Kong tea traders sold off their aged (chennian 陳年) and ‘fresh fragrance’ Pu’er tea to Taiwanese merchants because of S(qingxiang 清香) allows us to understand the uncertain future of Hong Kong’s economy. how Taiwan has influenced the development The Pu’er tea fad was developed in the or resurgence of Chinese tea art and culture mid-1990s in Taiwan, and soon spread to the in recent years. How the flavors known as rest of Asia and the world. Today, one aged chennian and qingxiang were discovered or tea cake can be sold for as high as 100,000 created, recognized, and evaluated across USD. Along the globalization of the Pu’er tea Asian markets has been the focus of my products was the legitimization of chennian research for the past fifteen years. Few as the criterion to evaluate Pu’er and other Taiwanese knew of Pu’er tea before the 1990s; aged teas. This criterion also had an influence Tea tasting with double cups (shuangbei pinming 雙杯品茗) were invented when high-mountain tea became nonetheless, the fervor for Pu’er emerged in on the fresh teas; for example, big-tree tea popular in 1980s. Photograph courtesy of Shuenn-Der Yu. Taiwan, rather than in Hong Kong where this (dashu cha 大树茶) of better leaf quality for aged tea had been stockpiled for decades. potential aging is preferred in the market. this flavor is consistently produced and well in Fujian started to produce the qingxiang- The craze then spread back to Hong Kong, Qingxiang (fresh fragrance) has a different appreciated. For example, a hot-air withering style variation of Tieguanyin (鐵觀音) called and soon to Guangdong, Yunnan and story. It has been widely used to describe machine was used to counteract the fickle ‘green Tieguanyin’. On the other hand, since Northeast Asia. the fresh aroma of tea in Taiwan both in weather in mountain areas and to stabilize high-elevation cultivation is considered the history and in modern times. However, in the chemical reactions; a new utensil (the key to achieve the qingxiang flavor, a concept While Pu’er tea was gaining significance the mid-1990s, qingxiang was adopted to sniffing cup) and a new style of tea tasting called ‘mountain-top aroma’, similar to the in trade, the high-mountain tea (gaoshancha describe the unique flavor of high-mountain with double cups (shuangbei pinming 雙杯品茗) idea of French terroir, which emphasizes the 高山茶) from the tea plantations in the high tea to distinguish this newly invented tea from were invented to promote this qingxiang micro-environmental ecology and local flavor mountains of Taiwan (established in the late Oolong tea. This qingxiang flavor partially flavor. As qingxiang has become a preferred of teas, has become the predominant factor 1970s), quickly became Taiwan’s most popular depends on the special materiality of tea taste in Taiwan, it gradually transformed in determining the qualities and thus values tea. Remarkably, the flavor preference leaves from high altitudes, but mainly is the the flavor, aroma and values of other teas in of high-mountain tea. and appreciation rituals in Taiwan had a result of a deliberate manipulation of the Taiwan, as well as in Fujian, Yunnan and North profound influence on other kinds of partially manufacture process to create a new tea. Vietnam. Teas now tend to go through reduced Shuenn-Der Yu is Research Fellow at fermented teas. The popularity of Pu’er and Thus, the life history of qingxiang reveals fermentation and baking to produce a similar Institute of Ethnology, Academia Sinica high-mountain tea led to the emphasis of the co-evolvement of technology to ensure qingxiang flavor. For instance, Anxi County [email protected] two new flavor categories—chennian for the former and qingxiang for the latter. In fact, chennian was a newly defined taste for Pu’er by Taiwanese tea merchants and experts in the late 20th century. The development of chennian revealed the socio-cultural and historical processes wherein value was allocated and meaning was constructed by the tea merchants, collectors, consumers and the government. Pu’er tea from Yunnan was first introduced to Taiwan in the 1970s through Hong Kong, but this ‘stinky’ tea was not well accepted by Taiwan’s popular tea culture that highly appreciated fragrance. Nonetheless, the sophisticated tea art in contemporary Taiwan, which was advanced by the government to increase domestic tea consumption, facilitated the invention of appreciation rituals and evaluation standards for Pu’er tea. After years of exploratory research in the late 1980s and early 1990s, Taiwan tea merchants and experts established an evaluation scale for Pu’er tea according to the degree of aging; the longer preserved Pu’er tea has better taste and thus has higher value. In the late 1980s, as the tension between mainland China and Taiwan started to relax, Pu’er tea became better recognized and accepted by the Taiwanese under the ‘China Fever’ (zhongguo re 中國热). The return of Hong Kong to China in 1997 also accelerated the growth of the Pu’er tea market in Taiwan; Puer tea cakes are being sun dried in Yiwu, the famous Puer tea production/distribution center since the Qing times. Photograph courtesy of Shuenn-Der Yu. The Newsletter No. 80 Summer 2018 China Connections Regional Editor 15 Chinese tea and Asian societies Kunbing Xiao The Region

that use precise calculations to designate how quickly one should roll and roast tea. Chinese and Indian teas and Huizhou factory managers would monitor working time by lighting incense sticks that the history of global capitalism burned at a constant rate. With the sticks as a baseline, the managers rewarded workers based upon how many pounds of tea they Andrew B. Liu could process in a given time. Similarly, in the plantations of Assam, we have recorded observations that the ‘tea gardens’ in the ea, originating in China and later remote valleys of the Brahmaputra River set widely cultivated in colonial India their clocks differently from the rest of the Tand other Asian societies, was one surrounding Indian society, a system they of the key factors in the creation of a global called ‘Garden Time’. British planters sought market. Tea sales from China spiked after to maximize the amount of daytime spent the 1842 Nanjing Treaty and the attendant working, so they set their clocks backwards creation of the treaty port system. At the an extra hour such that, in the words of one same time, British colonialists established account in Bengali: “when the gong strikes their own tea industry in the northeast six o’clock, it is not quite (thik na) six o’clock”. Indian territory of Assam. Over the second Planters then divided up the day into twelve half of the century, the Chinese and Indian equal units of sunlight, in which work was industries engaged in a back-and-forth Tea cellar in Ruiquan (瑞泉) Wuyi Rock Tea Factory. This tea cellar was inspired by wine cellars carefully regulated by the ringing of gongs competition for consumers in Europe and from western wine culture. Courtesy: Ruiquan Wuyi Rock Tea Museum. and the constant weighing of leaves plucked. the U.S. In both regions, the first systematic Such examples suggest that instead of calculations of labor (conducted in the For instance, the China trade relied and relied upon a strategy of hiring primarily thinking of Chinese and Indian tea as the apex twentieth century) revealed that each upon smallholder peasant households, low-wage workers – women and children – of the traditional, pre-industrial economies of the tea industries employed more and the Indian industry was powered in an attempt to save expenses. of Asia, we should view the history of tea as workers than any comparable urban sector by an indentured workforce. Historians But perhaps the most notable instance a pivotal moment in the history of capitalism, in each country. In short, tea was central have labeled both types of production of the subtle ‘industrial’ character of rural both within China and India as well as in to the creation of modern capitalism as ‘precapitalist’ in nature. tea production in Asia was the way in which their connection to the rest of the world. in both regional societies. In fact, tea production in Asia was tea plant managers developed systems for constantly evolving and dynamic. Chinese rationalizing production through the careful Andrew B. Liu is Assistant Professor Past scholarship has acknowledged merchants and British planters introduced calculation, measurement, and disciplining of History at Villanova University. the massive expansion of tea cultivation techniques that were recognizably industrial of their employees’ working time. This was true His current manuscript examines and production in Asia during this period, and modern. For instance, much like the for tea production in both China and India. the tea-growing districts of coastal but it has been skeptical whether market classic English factories of the industrial For instance, in the Chinese tea districts of China and eastern India over the course of the past two centuries. competition actually transformed the revolution, they increased the scale of southern Anhui (Huizhou), we have manuals [email protected] economic conditions in those regions. operations in response to greater demand, written by merchant and workshop owners

Tea production in China was originally Later, the Northern Song dynasty re-unified concentrated in Sichuan and Yunnan, and the Central Plains, but was confronted with Tea production in southern China expanded east- and southward to the Yangtze chronic threats from nomadic regimes in the River during the Northern and Southern north. Tea, as a profitable business and means and its political implications during Dynasties. Up to the Tang, tea plantations to cover the military expenditure necessary had prospered in southern China. Parts for protection from nomadic groups, became a the Tang and Song Dynasties of southern China, like the hilly areas in strategic commodity for the Song government. southern Anhui, had already been known Thus, the government continued to adjust for tea production during the Tang dynasty. the tea acts (chafa 茶法). It also promoted Yi Zou Historical records show that around 862 a government monopoly on tea to maximize AD, 70-80% of the residents in Qimen (祁門) fiscal revenue and to control the outbound flow County, Anhui depended on tea cultivation. of tea products. As a result, the merchants, hroughout the Tang and Song government revenue. This practice During the spring harvest season, merchants who paid a high price for their official tea dynasties (618-1279), the center of was legitimized in 793 AD through would flock in to purchase tea with silver or licenses (yin 引), armed their caravans to TChina’s economy gradually shifted a law imposing a 10 percent tax on silks, and then sell the tea in other parts of protect their tea products. At the same time, southwards into the valleys of the Yangtze tea. Before that, the government only China or abroad. During this time, the once the highly lucrative tea business attracted and Huai Rivers – a region that is now known collected land taxes and commodity backward hilly areas developed into affluent increasing numbers of armed smugglers as ‘southern China’. Moreover, a significant taxes on textiles. This tax reform was counties that contributed abundant taxes. seeking to counter the government monopoly. fiscal reform on taxation took place during closely related to the expansion of tea Local elites, such as the Zheng Chuan (鄭傳) Consequently, local militias organized by the mid-Tang era; the government started plantations, as well as changes in the family, who accumulated enormous wealth the tea giants appeared in provinces such to collect a tea tax, which gradually broader context of economy and politics from tea trading, founded a militia for as Hubei, Jiangxi, and Anhui. Later, during became an important source of during the Tang and Song dynasties. self-defense during the turmoil in late Tang. the north-and-south military confrontation between the Great Jin and the Southern Song dynasty, these local militias played active roles to guard their own properties. When the Yuan dynasty replaced the Song, the government appointed the surrendering militia leaders to rule their own regions. For example, Wang Yunlong (汪雲龍) from Wuyuan (婺源) County, Anhui, was appointed as a local administrator, and his offspring inherited his authority to manage tea taxes in Anhui and Jiangxi. This historical vignette indicates that tea production and trade advanced the development of the hilly areas in southern China during the Tang and Song dynasties, turning infertile counties into prominent tax contributors. The loose control of the government over these originally barren and backward areas facilitated the growth of local forces in the new prosperous era of tea. However, as the government quickly became aware of the financial and strategic significance of tea, it extended central administration into these areas. Despite the initial interdependence between the central and the local forces, the government eventually absorbed the local forces and gained control over lucrative and strategic tea resources.

Yi Zou is associate professor of the Center for Historical Geographical Studies, Fudan University, China. His research interests are Chinese traditional rural society and modern urban development. This research was financially supported by Program of the National Social Science Fund of China Tang Dynasty. Anonymous: A Palace Concert (Gongyuetu 宮樂圖) Ten court ladies in late Tang Dynasty were sitting around a table and drinking tea. (No. 16BZS125). [email protected] Courtesy: National Palace Museum (Taiwan). 16 News from Southeast Asia Regional Editor The Region Excavating Singapore Terence Chong

ISEAS@ Excavating

Unity Through Understanding Singapore

2018 marks the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute’s Terence Chong 50th anniversary. Initiated in 1968 by then Deputy Prime Minister Goh Keng Swee, ISEAS has since been dedicated to research Singapore is a densely packed urban city not immediately associated and scholarship on Southeast Asia. with archaeology. However, there has been a surge in archaeological activities on the island in recent years, especially around the historical downtown Civic District. This flood of activities has been the result of growing public interest in the country’s heritage and history. Globalisation and immigration have raised public priority over local and national identities, leading to greater attention to stories, artefacts and research that help Singaporeans understand who they are and where they come from.

SEAS-Yusof Ishak’s Archaeology Firstly the Neolithic Period (New Stone Age) evidence challenged past perceptions that Finally, the Contemporary Period (1959- Unit (AU) was formed in 2010. It is the (from approx. 10,200BC). In the 1930s, British the island’s historical narrative only began with present). Singapore’s frantic pace of industrial- Ionly dedicated archaeology centre archaeologists based at Singapore’s Raffles the British establishment of a trading station isation and urbanisation has resulted in only in Singapore committed to the promotion Museum reported the existence of Neolithic in 1819, and pushed back the historical timeline a few pristine sites left for archaeological study. of archaeology in the country and stone tools and implements at Tanjong to approximately 1300CE. These remaining sites feature the vestiges from Southeast Asia. AU not only conducts Karang (near Tuas) and on Pulau Ubin. Thirdly, the Colonial Period (1819 -1959). a rural agricultural community. They also show- annual archaeological Field Schools No excavations were conducted in Singapore, Some 11 sites specific to the colonial period case the industrialisation period through brick- in the Southeast Asian region for students but a brief excavation at Tanjong Bungah on have been excavated. The artefacts uncovered works and early post-war housing settlements. but also collaborates closely with local the Johor side of the Tebrau Straits (known have provided insights into hitherto unknown All of these sites present potential for archaeo- agencies on excavations, archaeological as the Johor Straits from the 1890s) revealed social practices and cultural behaviour of logical research into the lifeworlds of our surveys and post-excavation work. Local a well-preserved site with stone tools related everyday people. These practices and behaviour forbearers from the not too distant past. archaeologists have been excavating to those found in Sumatra, but different were simply not documented in official historical The following articles are a sample of the in post-independent Singapore since from those found in the Malay Peninsula. records. We also know little about the lives of research AU is conducting. 1984. Approximately 30 sites have Secondly, the Temasek / Singapura Period the local population during Singapore’s early Terence Chong is Senior Fellow & Deputy been examined since. Archaeology (1300-1700 CE). Excavations since 1984 have years as an East India Company settlement Director, ISEAS - Yusof Ishak Institute; in Singapore can be chronologically revealed large amounts of artefacts dating or the daily routine of soldiers during the Regional Editor of 'News from Southeast organised into several periods. from the Temasek period. The archaeological Battle for Singapore in 1942. Asia' [email protected]

Meanwhile, at the NSC Archaeology Unit, A version of this article was first the future is in the making. Since 2014, there published in NSC Highlights Issue #7 Archiving archaeological materials: have been post-excavation and collection (Dec 2017 – Feb 2018). management initiatives to demonstrate Papers from the 2014 ISEAS-NHB workshop whose responsibility is it? that archaeological archives are vital for Archiving Archaeological Materials are both academic research and to safeguard now published and available for download a national collection for future researchers. on https://tinyurl.com/auseries as NSC Lim Chen Sian With the provision of adequate resources Archaeology Unit ‘Archaeology Report and funding, the Archaeology Unit has plans Series No. 7’. to catalogue and care for the materials Lim Chen Sian is an Associate Fellow rchaeologists are portrayed in assemblage from an excavation project. from excavations at the National Gallery of the Nalanda-Sriwijaya Centre popular imagination as individuals Understandably, these institutions also Singapore, Victoria Concert Hall, Empress (ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute). Awith dirt-caked brows, hunched over do not have the necessary archaeological Place and other sites by 2024. This ambition His interests include the archaeology in a trench, patiently digging away the staff to handle and curate the collection. is coupled with the production of useful of colonial period (post-European sediments, revealing marvels from the All this presents a conundrum for archaeo- research from the collection, including contact) in Southeast Asia; material past. While true to an extent, excavation logists in the country, as for the last three rolling out the publication of site reports culture trends over the past millennium; is nonetheless only one characteristic decades archaeologists have taken it upon as part of the documentary archive. settlement development; archaeological legislation; and public archaeology. of the discipline. Beyond the excavation is themselves to look after the excavated All this is contingent on the availability The archaeological investigations at the a long-drawn sequence of processes that materials, and this archive has grown of adequate resources and funding. ISEAS National Art Gallery site (former Supreme archaeologists grapple with behind-the- over the years. Presently, the ISEAS-Yusof looks forward to working closely with Court and City Hall) in Singapore is scenes: cleaning, sorting, conserving, Ishak Institute (ISEAS) has in its custody heritage agencies to collectively preserve just one of many projects he is working illustrating, photographing, cataloguing approximately 6 tons of artefacts from the country’s archaeological collection. on this year. [email protected] and studying the finds. As a custodian of excavations dating back to 2004. Separately, the past, the archaeologist bears a heavy another principal collection is held at the responsibility in caring for and maintaining National University of Singapore. archaeological collections. However, the In an attempt to answer the query of archiving and curatorship of archaeological ‘whose responsibility is it?’ a dialogue on artefacts is a frequently overlooked aspect the future of the archaeological collection of the archaeological progress. commenced with an ISEAS-NHB workshop on Archiving Archaeological Materials In the UK, archaeologists have the in late 2014, where heritage practitioners ethical and professional duty to ensure that and archaeology specialists from the UK the archaeological collection is looked after and Singapore debated and discussed the for posterity. In Singapore, the ownership of need for an archaeological archive. The archaeological finds is unclear. There is no workshop surmised that archaeologists and law addressing any antiquities recovered heritage institutions in Singapore all have from either archaeological excavations a role to play in determining the fate of the or by chance. As such, there is no agency archaeological collection or archive. In the or institution in Singapore that serves as immediate future, archaeologists as domain a central depository for archaeological specialists will need to lead the way to materials. While select museums under develop the archiving protocols for Singapore. the National Heritage Board (NHB) may In the longer term, legislation addressing the occasionally accept a few items for exhibition ownership of antiquities, and the delegation purposes, these institutions hesitate over of responsibility for their upkeep and care receiving the complete archaeological will need to be determined. Artefact storage at the NSC Archaeology Unit, ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute. (Credit: Aaron Kao) The Newsletter No. 80 Summer 2018 News from Southeast Asia Regional Editor 17 Excavating Singapore Terence Chong The Region

Pulau Ubin Anti-Motor Torpedo Boat Battery: the gun that never was

Aaron Kao

Fig. 2: Gun floor consisting of overhead concrete canopy, gunner’s platform, and holdfast bolts for a twin 6-pounder gun. (Credit: Young Wei Ping)

Fig. 1: Pulau Ubin AMTB battery gun no. 1. Above: Plan view cross section. Fig. 3: One of the DEL emplacements featuring steel reinforced shuttered concrete Below: West elevation cross section. (Credit: Aaron Kao) construction to protect the searchlight equipment and crew. (Credit: Aaron Kao)

he National Parks Board and the NSC the emplacements remain in relatively good from the northeast corner of gun no.1, and The substantial remains of the Ubin Archaeology Unit recently launched condition as it did not suffer from direct at the water’s edge, were three DEL (defence battery make the site rare as many other Ta research collaboration to investigate enemy fire, and demolition by the retreating electric light) emplacements (see fig. 3). coastal artillery gun batteries were the archaeological significance of Pulau British Army. Part of the research at the Ubin These concrete structures house fixed beam destroyed during the war or demolished to Ubin island, located northeast of the main AMTB was to examine whether any guns were electric searchlights powerful enough to light make way for development. This surviving Singapore island. The archaeology team ever emplaced at the battery. up a section of the waterway. These would specimen remains relatively intact and would conduct surveys and excavations The two gun emplacements of the AMTB have allowed the guns to engage intruders legible. The battery also formed the larger on the island over a span of 18 months. In were similar in layout (see fig. 1 ). The central at night or in low light conditions. military landscape of fixed defences that December 2017, the team completed its first gun floor area was flanked on the east side by Although it is unclear if the guns were was unique to Southeast Asia. Singapore field season by evaluating and recording the magazine, and on the west side by a crew installed in time for the Japanese invasion, was after all the most heavily armed colony the remains of the Anti-Motor Torpedo shelter and artillery store. Both emplacements it is evident that the battery was used to within the British Empire in terms of coastal Boat (AMTB) military structures. While the were built eight meters apart in a staggered some extent. Electrical fittings and other artillery. At a local level, the Pulau Ubin documentation has been completed, archival formation on a terraced slope approximately debris observed in one DEL emplacement documentation project would complement research and analysis are still ongoing to mid-way on the knoll, and facing northeast. seem to suggest the occupation of equipment. available information regarding the interpret the past use of the site. Gun no. 1 (see fig. 2) was the first emplacement A telephone communication switchboard was subsistence and lifeways at Kampong from the east. Entry into the emplacement was probably installed in gun no.1’s BOP as marks Bahru. It would help to answer questions Kampong Bahru is a 21m knoll situated on the west via a corridor situated between the and fittings on the wall indicated so. An engine such as whether the militarisation of immediately west of Sungei Mamam creek crew shelter and artillery store. Behind each was in use for a period of time as the ceilings Kampong Bahru affected or benefited the along the central northern shoreline of Pulau emplacement, stood a two storey (gun no.1) of the engine room were heavily covered local community. Despite the shortcomings Ubin. During the Second World War, it was and three storey (gun no.2) battery observation in soot. It may be possible that a temporary of the British Army in 1942, the coastal the site of a coastal artillery emplacement post (BOP) tower. This structure housed arrangement was placed pending the arrival batteries did deter a Japanese seaborne designed for two twin 6-pounder guns. equipment and men to command the guns, of the guns. More research is now being assault, and fulfilled the role it was These guns were termed AMTB equipment, engines, and searchlights. conducted to establish the activities of the site. designed to do. and typically emplaced near the entrance In addition to the gun emplacements, the This AMTB battery was significant within of harbours in two or one gun configuration. battery also consisted of ancillary buildings both local and national context. It marked The Pulau Ubin AMTB battery formed part such as barracks, toilets, cookhouse, engine the technological evolution of coastal artillery This article can be found in NSC of the Changi Fire Command – a network room, oil store, storerooms, water pumping in the British Army that started in the 16th Highlights Issue #8 (March–May 2018). of coast artillery batteries placed to protect station, and searchlight emplacements. century in Britain, and early 19th century the eastern part of Singapore; specifically, They were all built in a compact location in Singapore. If we were to discount British Aaron Kao is a Research Officer at the waterway leading into the Royal Navy on the knoll. A jetty located west of the gun association, the nearby 17th century Johor the Archaeology Unit, NSC, ISEAS – base at Sembawang. emplacements also served the establishment. Lama kingdom located along Sungei Johore Yusof Ishak Institute, and a member The first production batch of twin The barracks, toilets, and cookhouse have just across the straits had fought coastal of the Pulau Ubin project. He received 6-pounders at the Woolwich Ordnance since been demolished. The engine room battles with the Portuguese and Acehnese his BA from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology and has Factory, UK, were sent to Singapore in 1937. and oil store were located together on the by employing a wide array of coastal artillery a keen interest in pottery analysis They armed several emplacements in Changi, south-eastern foot of the knoll, out of view as a part of its defences. The Ubin battery and military history. As a part of the Pulau Tekong, and Keppel Harbour. However, from an attacking enemy ship. Both were serves as an interesting evolutionary study AU team he has excavated many it is unclear whether the guns for Pulau Ubin simple rectangle concrete structures with in this related field of warfare and coastal sites in Singapore and Cambodia. arrived in time to see any action. As a result, flat roofs. Approximately 300m downhill defences in Southeast Asia. [email protected] 18 News from Southeast Asia Regional Editor The Region Excavating Singapore Terence Chong

The decorated earthenware from the National Gallery Singapore site

Aaron Kao

arthenware decorations are a single-point or dentate-tipped implement. Fig. 1. underexplored in Southeast Asia. These tools resembling a comb were also Impressed decoration This makes the earthenware discovered used to incise parallel lines (fig. 2). displaying signs of E clay penetration and at the site of the National Gallery Singapore The fourth attribute, ‘motif’, describes displacement. (NGS) in 2009 all the more exciting. These the primary visual elements of a decoration. artefacts, weighing about 32 kilograms, A diverse assemblage of 75 motifs was were one of the largest haul of ceramic from identified at NGS, with most of these the site. By identifying the different types occurring as complex or simple geometric of decoration, production techniques, designs within the carved-paddle-impressed and socio-cultural representations, these category. Common visual elements used artefacts allow archaeologists to make consist of triangles, squares, zigzag and inferences into the lifeways of these curvilinear lines, circles, and parallel dashes inhabitants of 14th century Singapore. (fig. 4). Complex geometric designs are composed of hachured triangles laid in Fig. 2. Most of the earthenware found in NGS an alternating or linear configuration, Dentate-tool incised decoration. Different were low-fired (400 to 900 degrees Celsius) herringbone pattern, and repetitive rectilinear types of rotary action clay vessels and likely served as utilitarian spirals. Variations within these motifs are and accidental tool receptacles for cooking and storage evident, which indicate that some potters marks can be seen on the surface of this purposes, and possibly as religious might have shared a non-rigid expression potsherd. paraphernalia. Found mainly in the 14th of similar beliefs. Incised decorations are century Temasek context, their widespread less elaborate, featuring borderlines, or distribution at nine other nearby sites unidentifiable curvilinear patterns. Appliqué around NGS in the downtown Civil District designs are mostly plain bands going around of Singapore suggests that they played the vessel but rare organic forms were an important role in day-to-day activities. also encountered. One primary goal of my research is to The distribution of archaeological materials form a classification typology. This is useful at NGS suggested that small households as a data set for inter-site comparisons probably occupied the site. This would which enable archaeologists to examine indicate the type of domestic environment the evolution of pottery making cultures, in which this heterogeneous assemblage Fig. 3. and how it relates to socio-cultural of decorations would have high visibility. Intricately stamped curvilinear scroll motif. interactions. Four attributes were used The high frequency of geometric motifs to form this classification typology. produced by carve-paddle-impressing The first – ‘Surface treatment’ – describes appears to place the pottery tradition found the physical qualities of the ornamentation at NGS in context with the Bau-Malay pottery and the type of intervention carried out tradition hypothesised by Wilhelm G Solheim by the potter on the surface of the clay. II. Solheim believed that this tradition could Within the archaeological context, have formed as early as 1000 BCE, with strong decorations on earthenware are forms similarities with the geometric pottery found of ‘surface enhancements’ applied to the in Southeastern China. It is believed that this surface of the pottery during various stages particular pottery tradition occurred as early of its production. This is done to amplify as 3,000 to 2,500 BCE. Although it is not clear Fig. 4. the appearance or functionality of the pot. if these decorations share the same meanings This complex carved- paddle-impressed To archaeologists, these can be important as those found at NGS, the antiquity of this decoration is composed indicators of individual or group behavioural form of aesthetic expression is apparent. of a variety of visual patterns such as artistic expression, cultural elements. identity and beliefs, or simply as a form A version of this article was first of maker’s mark or ergonomic feature. published in NSC Highlights Issue #7 A sample set of 585 pieces weighing 2,564 (Dec 2017 – Feb 2018) grams was analysed. The sample size mass is approximately 8% of the total earthenware Aaron Kao is a Research Officer at the assemblage. At NGS, an overwhelming Archaeology Unit, NSC, ISEAS – Yusof Ishak 88% of the earthenware decorations were Institute, and a member of the Pulau Ubin physically recessed. In other words, the project. He received his BA from the Royal majority of techniques used involved a degree Melbourne Institute of Technology and has a keen interest in pottery analysis and of penetration and displacement of the moist military history. As a part of the AU team clay (fig. 1). The remainder portion consisted he has excavated many sites in Singapore of relief features created by adding (appliqué) and Cambodia. [email protected] scale 0 1 2 3 cm All images: Aaron Kao. and shaping the clay by hand. These are considered rare. ‘Operational action’, the second attribute, investigates the random tool or finger marks left behind by the potter(s). These physical gestures indicate the type of motor performance associated with production techniques (fig. 2). At NGS, impressing and New titles from incising were the most common action at 52% and 38% respectively. They were also ISEAS publishing responsible for all recessed decorations. The third attribute, ‘decoration’, is a description of the tool used and its related ‘operational ISEAS Publishing is a dynamic press action’. For example, out of a total of 23 types with more than forty years’ experience. of decorations identified, carved-paddle- It is the largest publisher of academic impressing (fig. 4) accounted for 46%. This books that focuses on Southeast Asian particular tool is a hand held wooden paddle politics, economics, and social issues. with a carved design on its working surface(s). As a Unit of the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak It is struck repetitively around the surface Institute in Singapore, its role is of the pot, in unison with a supporting anvil enshrined in Parliamentary Act 9 of held within the vessel. A textured imprint 1968, to assist ISEAS in the ‘promotion Anjana Sharma (ed.) Terence Chong (ed.) Le Hong Hiep and Norshahril Saat is normally produced (fig. 1). The second of research on Southeast Asia 2018. 2018. Anton Tsvetov (eds) 2018. most numerous type of decoration is broadly worldwide.’ Records, Recoveries, Pentecostal Mega- 2018. Tradition and incised concentric grooves found on the Remnants and Inter- churches in Southeast Vietnam’s Foreign Islamic Learning: rims of the vessels. These range from one Please visit the ISEAS Publishing website Asian Interconnections: Asia: Negotiating Policy under Doi Moi Singapore Students to five groove configurations. The remaining at https://bookshop.iseas.edu.sg Decoding Cultural Class, Consumption in the Al-Azhar decorations are varied and uncommon. for the full range of titles and for Heritage and the Nation University These included different forms of impressing, ordering. Books are also available as such as paddles that were bound with PDF downloads, either as full books ISBN 978-981-47-8641-6 ISBN 978-981-4786-88-1 ISBN 978-981-4818-14-8 ISBN 978-981-4786-85-0 a variety of textured organic materials, or as individual chapters. US$29.90 US$29.90 US$29.90 US$15.90 stamping with an intricately carved tool (fig. 3), and puncture marks created with The Newsletter No. 80 Summer 2018 News from Australia and the Pacific Regional Editors 19 Human rights practices in Southeast Asia Ana Dragojlovic, Edwin Jurriëns The Region and Andy Fuller

Human rights practices in Southeast Asia The Asia Institute The Asia Institute is The University of For News from Australia and the Pacific, we ask contributors to reflect on their own Melbourne’s key centre for studies in research interests and the broader academic field in Australia and the Pacific of which it Asian languages, cultures and societies. Asia Institute academic staff have an array is a part. We focus on current, recent or upcoming projects, books, articles, conferences of research interests and specialisations, and teaching, while identifying related interests and activities of fellow academics in the and strive to provide leadership in the study of the intellectual, legal, politico-economic, field. Our contributions aim to give a broad overview of Asia-related studies in Australia cultural and religious traditions and and beyond, and to highlight exciting intellectual debates on and with Asia in the region. transformations of Asia and the Islamic world. The Institute is committed to Our preferred style is subjective and conversational. Rather than offering fully-fledged community engagement and offers research reports, our contributions give insight into the motivations behind and directions a dynamic program of academic and community-focused events and cultural of various types of conversations between Asia and the region. In the current issue, exchanges that aim to promote we highlight the topic of Human Rights Practices in Southeast Asia. We would like to dialogue and debate. acknowledge Ken Setiawan's invaluable support for this collection of essays. Articles are edited by Ana Dragojlovic [email protected] and Edwin Jurriëns [email protected], with assistance from Andy Fuller [email protected], from the Asia Institute in Melbourne arts.unimelb.edu.au/asiainstitute

Writing against impunity and state violence in Thailand

Tyrell Haberkorn

and why, I decided to trace the history “What does it mean of impunity in Thailand. While doing so, I was based in the to protest suffering, Department of Political and Social Change (PSC) at the Australian National University as distinct from (ANU), which I joined in 2009. PSC is a acknowledging it?” collection of political scientists, sociologists, anthropologists, and historians working on questions of political transformation Susan Sontag1 across East, South, and Southeast Asia. The interdisciplinary and comparative breadth present inspired me to approach impunity ince completing my PhD in 2007, from the perspectives of law – namely how Sontag’s question has frequently law facilitates rather than prevents impunity Supreme court of Thailand, Bangkok. Photo Wikimedia. Srecurred as I have worked to become – and politics, specifically how impunity a scholar-activist who divides her time contributes to state-building, as well between the present and the recent past, as across time. My work greatly benefitted evidence would be difficult. Instead, Tyrell Haberkorn is an Associate and among reading in archives and libraries, from conversations with colleagues working I mined archival and other publicly-available Professor of Asian Languages and observing human rights court cases, and on the rule of law, and its opposites, and state documents, newspaper articles, Cultures, University of Wisconsin-Madison translating accounts of state violence. the challenges of ending authoritarianism.4 memoirs of civil servants and victims of state (as of January 2018). She is the author The inspiration for my work primarily comes violence, and court observation to reveal of Revolution Interrupted: Farmers, Students, Law and Violence in Northern from outside the academy: writers like Sontag a history of impunity. Many of the violent Witnessing impunity Thailand (University of Wisconsin Press, who make human rights violations accessible events I write about have been previously 2011), In Plain Sight: Human Impunity to a broad public, human rights workers Beginning with the end of the absolute unexamined or overlooked, but the primary and Human Rights in Thailand (University creating knowledge that challenges the monarchy on 24 June 1932 and ending reason is not a sheer lack of information. of Wisconsin Press, 2018), and articles silences and elisions present in dominant state with the coup by the National Council for The events, as well as the evidence of and translations in Journal of Asian narratives, and survivors of rights violations Peace and Order (NCPO) on 22 May 2014, violence, are in plain sight. Studies, Critical Asian Studies, positions: who dare to speak out despite the risks I asked, what does the history of a nation 22 May 2018 marked the fourth anniversary asia critique, Dissent, Foreign Affairs, they face. My work as a scholar grounds look like when told from the perspective of of the NCPO being in power. Like the previous and Prachatai. She can be reached my activism in rigour and activism in turn citizens whose rights are violated, rather eleven ‘successful’ coups, the leaders of at [email protected] reminds me of the urgency of putting than that of the victorious and powerful the NCPO are bold in their violation of the knowledge to work in the service of justice. leaders? My research found that Thai peoples’ rights because they do not fear Notes citizens have experienced a range of forms being held to account. Since 1997, my work has been based of extrajudicial violence at the hands of state 1 Sontag, S. 2003. Regarding the Pain in Thailand. Since the end of the absolute officials, including torture, disappearance, of Others. New York: Farrar, Straus monarchy in 1932, through twelve ‘successful’ assassination, and massacre, across regimes Fighting for justice and Giroux, p.40. (meaning that power was seized) coups and both dicta-torial and democratic. In nearly But the history of impunity in Thailand 2 Haberkorn, T. 2018. In Plain Sight: seven failed coups, democracy and justice all cases, state officials have escaped also contains fragments of justice. In 2015, Impunity and Human Rights in Thailand. have remained largely elusive. My latest sanction and accountability. This impunity the Supreme Court exonerated Suderueman University of Wisconsin Press. 3 Asian Human Rights Commission, project, a book and a series of articles on has been produced and sustained through for exercising his right to call for account- 5 11 August 2011, ‘Thailand: Court impunity in Thailand grew out of academic- the unwillingness of state officials to find ability as a survivor of torture. Citizens demonstrates contempt for human 2 activist crossings. In 2011, I observed an their colleagues responsible, the intimidation continue to protest the NCPO, even though rights by jailing torture victim on Appeal Court ruling in Bangkok in which of victims of violence and other citizens, and they risk prison terms for doing so as the say-so of alleged perpetrator’; Suderueman Maleh, who had submitted weak legal and other institutional structures. regime has outlawed public assembly and https://tinyurl.com/ahrc100811 a complaint of being tortured by a police Impunity takes place in public and is casts all criticism as sedition. After writing 4 See, for example, Cheesman, N. 2015. officer while in custody, was sentenced to two pedagogical and meant to be witnessed, about impunity for the last seven years, Opposing the Rule of Law: How years in prison for doing so.3 Suderueman’s from the instance of state violence to the I am now turning to what may be its opposite. Myanmar’s courts make law and order. conviction, for the alleged crime of providing evasion of accountability and finally I ask how, why, and with what possible effect Cambridge University Press; and Aspinall, false testimony as a state official, laid bare to the creation of evidence about it. does opposition to dictatorship emerge? E. 2005. Opposing Suharto: Compromise, Resistance, and Regime Change in the many layers of protection for perpetrators The most surprising lesson I learned To understand how to remake society anew Indonesia. Stanford University Press. of state violence. It was not enough that he while researching impunity led to the after dictatorship is an urgent corollary 5 Prachatai, 13 October 2015, was tortured and his torturer was exonerated: title of my latest book: state violence to understanding how dictatorships come ‘Supreme Court rejects charges related Suderueman was further persecuted for and impunity take place in full public to power again and again, for us as to Deep South torture allegations’; daring to speak out. To understand how view. My expectation was that finding humans as well as scholars. https://prachatai.com/english/node/5538 20 News from Australia and the Pacific Regional Editors The Region Human rights practices in Southeast Asia Ana Dragojlovic, Edwin Jurriëns and Andy Fuller

Reparations of the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia: a brief update

Rachel Hughes

ome refer to a ‘cultural renaissance’ as being underway in Cambodia, Seven as recent events in the political sphere have troubled many. The arts — film, dance, music, theatre, drawing, sculpture and literature — are increasingly prominent mediums for education and intergenerational dialogue in the country, as well as, for finding some satisfaction and peace for victim-survivors.

The morning sky is clear and the pale grey cattle pass by the classroom building. Some eighty senior students of Kampong Chhnang High School wait inside for a show to begin. An actor suddenly appears at the door. She is dressed in a school uniform like theirs but carries a drawing in one hand and what appears to be a turtle in another – its head firmly tucked inside its shell. This is a performance of ‘Courageous Turtle’, a two-actor play written by Sokyou Chea and directed by Soung Sopheak that is currently touring Cambodia. One of the suggestions of the play is that we can learn from turtles: “only if you stick your neck out [do] you make progress!”. It uses humour, pathos and audience participation to play out situations of control and resistance, and stories of suffering, care, worry, longing and loss. Relationships from the past and present – between students, family members and cadre Ven Keana (left) and Sum Monykeo (right) perform the play ‘The Courageous Turtle’. photo: Rachel Hughes – provoke attention to the nature of action, repercussion and courage. The official aim of the play is to promote historical awareness ECCC Case 002/01 was completed society, two initiatives have been made Change and civil courage in Cambodia by reference in 2016, resulting in the conviction of two possible by the Cambodian government, Between my visits to Cambodia in to the Khmer Rouge regime.1 former senior Khmer Rouge, Khieu Samphan while other government Ministries – especially June 2017 for the final hearings of Case After watching the play, students listen and Noun Chea. As part of this case, some the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport – 002/02 and January 2018, there were to one or more victim-survivors from their eleven reparations have been implemented, have lent their support to the work of partner a few important changes. One change local area speak about living under Khmer including permanent and mobile exhibitions, organisations on other reparations. was increased uncertainty and cynicism Rouge rule. In Kampong Chhnang, many the publication and distribution of the case amongst Cambodians and civil society had questions for their elder after she spoke judgement, a memorial, published testimonies actors. Researchers and NGO staff were about her experiences. It is estimated that, and testimonial therapy and curriculum The politics of reparation worried about the viability of their ongoing by the end of 2017, 150 civil parties and resources. In my research, I am interested in how work, many quietly despairing of political over 10,000 students had seen the play For Case 002/02, whose closing these reparations have come about. Existing debate. With the arrest and detention of and engaged in intergenerational dialogue statements I observed in June 2017, relationships and complex negotiations mean the politician Kem Sohka, and the forced following the performance.2 fourteen funded projects are currently being that these initiatives are all in some way closure of the well-known independent considered by the three Cambodian and political. I am also asking: when, where and newspaper The Cambodia Daily, many two international Trial Chamber judges. for whom is this redress? What is the nature in Cambodia are concerned about Reparation projects Recognition of these projects is expected of these reparations, what is their spatial and the future. The Courageous Turtle is one of nearly (as part of the larger judgement) in the third temporal extent? And what is the relationship Another change was the relative quiet thirty reparation projects either recognised quarter of 2018. These additional fourteen between these reparations and other past at the ECCC, with no more Trial Chamber or currently awaiting recognition by reparations include the play discussed above, and present-day memory work in Cambodia? hearings for now. As the judges deliberate Cambodia’s internationalised Khmer Rouge as well as a legal archive, dance performance, How do the current activities and events Case 002/02, reparation activities continue tribunal. The Extraordinary Chambers in storybook, graphic novel, song-writing arise out of, or directly contest, these other elsewhere. On tour with the Courageous the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC) is a hybrid competition, and an internet-enabled app ways of working with the past? Turtle, at a new memorial installation site, international criminal tribunal currently for learning Khmer Rouge history. Most of Many of the ECCC reparations have been and in the rooms of the new Legal underway in Cambodia. It aims to bring the reparations are either already completed funded by the German state, while three Documentation Centre, the legacies of the those most responsible for crimes committed or well underway; their recognition by the projects share a large pool of European Union ECCC are only just emerging. In the words in Cambodia between 1975 and 1979 to tribunal will be largely retrospective. funding. This is not a politically neutral arena; of Prim Phloeun, Executive Director of justice. One important development of the All these reparation projects – in their rather, memory work is seen as a means to Cambodia Living Arts: Cambodian tribunal is to allow some victim- development, resolution and implementation access a new funding stream by both existing survivors to directly participate as parties in – have involved donors, partner organisations and new organisations. As many of these [the process of] finding justice has used the cases against former Khmer Rouge. These and victims themselves. Many long-standing organisations are headed by overseas-born the arts [because] you have to recreate participating victims are known as civil parties Cambodian NGOs have helped to develop or educated Cambodians who have returned and reimagine what was the past and and they assist the Prosecution and may and implement these projects as partner home from the diaspora, the ‘geography of how can we also tell those stories, but in claim for reparations. organisations. As well as involving civil justice’ of the ECCC extends not only inside a way that […] is about creating dreams, but beyond Cambodia’s national borders. creating a future, creating something Most of the reparations are creative arts- that people can relate to. based projects, adding to an increased role of art and art practice in public dialogue Rachel Hughes is a Senior Research about the past in Cambodia. One of the Fellow in the School of Geography expected effects of the ECCC reparations is at the University of Melbourne. greater cross-cultural and intergenerational Her interests include the politics and dialogue at an interpersonal level. New forms geopolitics of the memorialisation of the Khmer Rouge regime, and of scholarly or larger-scale historical the social and political legacies of dialogue, and renovation or contestation the current Khmer Rouge Tribunal of prior political cultures of memory, (the Extraordinary Chambers is also observable. in the Courts of Cambodia). Many reparations are based in, or travelling [email protected] into, provincial areas, to places otherwise distanced by rural-urban inequality. In many ways, and perhaps not surprisingly, these Notes ‘projects’ are a continuation of memory work, or historical dialogue, that has been ongoing 1 ECCC Civil Party Lead Co Lawyers’ for decades. This memory work was central final claim for reparation in Case to building political legitimacy throughout 002/02 (Doc. No. E457 6 2 1) p. 12. Photo: Rachel Hughes the country in the post-Khmer Rouge period. 2 Ibid. The Newsletter No. 80 Summer 2018 News from Australia and the Pacific Regional Editors 21 Human rights practices in Southeast Asia Ana Dragojlovic, Edwin Jurriëns The Region and Andy Fuller

Titik Awal (Starting Point) depicts Luweng Grubug, a vertical cave in Wonosari, central Java. Between November 1965 and January 1966, Fighting impunity through family 1500 members of the Indonesian Communist Party and its affiliate organisations were killed here. Image reproduced courtesy of the artist, stories: photography and Indonesia’s Rangga Purbaya. 1965 killings

Ken Setiawan

wenty years since the end of social support for justice endeavours. In the Indonesians of his generation, Rangga grew address 1965 from a perspective that I know authoritarianism in Indonesia, justice specific context of the 1965-1966 violence up unaware of his family’s past.4 But in 1998, best: my family. It’s easier than talking about Tfor the crimes committed during the this is, amongst others, caused by the fear of a few months after the fall of the Suharto people you don’t know. Also, when I talk about regime of President Suharto (1966-1998) communism that was instilled into Indonesian regime, Rangga’s parents told him about his my personal history, that of my family, people remains elusive. One example is that society by the Suharto regime. Twenty years grandfather. At the time, he was not sure what often become more open. Often, they start of the 1965-1966 mass violence, during on, these “ghosts of 1965”2 remain a powerful to do with the information (“to me, it was just talking about their families, too”. which approximately 500,000 Indonesian tool to counter progressive groups. In this a fact”) and continued to focus on his studies Together, these two elements allow for a communists and members of affiliated situation of increased illiberalism, there is an and work. While his parents became active dialogue on family, collective history and loss, organisations were killed. Another million important role to play by civil society actors in victims’ rights organisations, Rangga kept as well as hopes for the future. The creation were arrested and detained for lengthy in raising awareness on human rights issues. his family history at a distance. Ten years of a conversation is one of Rangga’s main periods of time, mostly without trial. These At the same time, this task is also fraught with later, however, this changed when Rangga objectives, who argues that interpersonal events were at the basis of the rise of the difficulties, including how to prevent their had to pick up his mother when a meeting she dialogue is crucial for reconciliation: “before authoritarian regime; as such addressing work from being censored.3 attended was threatened by a vigilante group we can reconcile, people need to be aware this particular case is important to clearly A few years ago, I became acquainted known as the Indonesian Anti Communist of what has happened, so they can see break with the past. with Yogyakarta-based photographer Rangga Front (FAKI), not dissimilar from the attack the event from various perspectives”. His Purbaya (1976) whose work is focused on on LBH Jakarta mentioned above. work also underlines that in a context of While in the early years of democra- opening a dialogue on the 1965-66 killings. Rangga explained his frustration: “I felt rising illiberalism, personal stories are both tisation Indonesia embarked on a process At first sight, there is little that refers to the that what they did wasn’t tactical, it wasn’t a powerful and gentle tool to continue of significant legal and political reforms, violence in his work: Rangga’s photographs strategic. Their events always had a high risk discussions on past wrongs and directions including in the area of human rights and depict places, people and everyday objects of intimidation. There was no back up plan towards a more just future. justice for past crimes, those responsible for such as notebooks, razors and wooden boxes. when things went wrong. My mother was past crimes have in general not been held to Upon closer investigation, however, the images panicking, she was scared”. And so, Rangga Ken Setiawan is a McKenzie account. Therefore, the country has not been allude to a broader narrative. The objects are decided to make the story of his family – and Postdoctoral Research Fellow at able to break with the culture of impunity old and worn, but because they have been the bigger story of the 1965 killings – central the University of Melbourne’s Asia instilled during the authoritarian regime. kept with great care, it is evident that they are to his work for the first time. He researched Institute. She has a PhD in Law from My doctoral research on the Indonesian treasured. The places in the photographs are his grandfather’s documents, which had Leiden University, the Netherlands. Her research interests include Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) haunting: an empty street and a vertical cave been kept by an aunt, and he spoke to family globalisation and human rights, revealed a number of reasons that explain surrounded by mist. The portraits, mainly members, but many were reluctant to open the sociology of law, transitional the organisation’s limited effectiveness, of young persons, suggest various messages: old wounds. In general, Rangga found the and historical justice, as well which are also relevant to the broader some look directly into the camera, others younger generation more receptive and as reconciliation and reparation. challenges of human rights reform in the avoid the lens. One young woman is pictured decided to tell the story of his grandfather She is the author of Promoting country. These include shortcomings in looking at old photographs. primarily through them. Human Rights: National Human legal drafting, a lack of political will and The viewer again has to move closer, There are two main distinguishing Rights Commissions in Indonesia the ongoing influence of powerful elites with titles and descriptions giving more characteristics of Rangga Purbaya’s work. and Malaysia (Leiden University Press, opposed to the pursuit of justice.1 clues. The image of the vertical cave is titled The first is that direct references to violence 2013). [email protected] ‘Starting Point’ and adds that between are absent. As Rangga explained, this was 1965 and 1966 the place was a site of mass a deliberate choice he made as an artist, The role of photography killing of alleged communists. The photo of wanting to present something new. This aspect As a postdoctoral fellow at The University the empty street is accompanied by a short differentiates his work from other visual Notes of Melbourne, I have continued my research story of a daughter looking for her father. artists, who have portrayed the 1965 violence 1 See, for instance, Setiawan, K. 2016. on the dynamics of human rights in We discover that the notebooks and razor explicitly. At the same time, I see the absence ‘From Hope to Disillusion: the Paradox contemporary Indonesia. One of the most belonged to someone called Boentardjo, of direct references to violence in his work of Komnas HAM, the Indonesian National worrying trends of recent years is the who – as one can gather from statements also as a reflection of his position as someone Commission on Human Rights’, Bijdragen rising intolerance against minority groups. accompanying the portraits – is a largely born long after the events took place. tot de Taal-, Land- en Volkenkunde 172 A particularly striking example of such unknown figure, but also a source of pride The absence of violence almost automatically (1):1-32. increased pressures is that in September and respected. triggers a conversation between the viewer 2 Kuddus, R. 2017. ‘The Ghosts of 1965. 2018, the police – giving into demands of and the artist about the places, objects and Politics and Memory in Indonesia’, Islamist groups – broke up an event at one people portrayed, eventually bringing us New Left Review 104:45-92. of the country’s most renowned human rights Family stories to Boentardjo and his fate, and the broader 3 Indonesia has a vocal human rights movement. For a recent discussion of organisations, the Legal Aid Foundation Boentardjo Amaroen was Rangga context of the 1965 killings. Indonesian civil society and the 1965-1966 (LBH) in Jakarta. Purbaya’s paternal grandfather. Boentardjo A second characteristic of Rangga’s work violence see Kuddus, 2017. The attack on the LBH illustrates both the was one of many who was disappeared in is the central place of the family. Family is, 4 All quotes of Rangga Purbaya in this Indonesian government’s failure to resolve 1965 and presumably killed in circumstances so he has found, a relatively easy way to talk piece are from my interview with him past human rights abuses and the limited that have never been uncovered. As so many about the 1965 killings. “I’ve decided to on 10 January 2018. 22 News from Northeast Asia Regional Editor The Region Northeast Asia’s engagements Ilhong Ko with the Middle East

The Seoul National University Asia Center (SNUAC) is a research and international exchange institute based in Seoul, Northeast Asia’s South Korea. The SNUAC’s most distinctive feature is its cooperative approach in fostering research projects and international exchange program through engagements with close interactions between regional and thematic research programs about Asia and the world. To pursue its mission to become a hub of Asian Studies, SNUAC the Middle East research teams are divided by different regions and themes. Research centers and programs are closely integrated, providing a solid foundation for deeper analysis Ilhong Ko Northeast Asia’s links with the Middle East of Asian society. can be traced back to ancient times, when the two regions were connected via trade routes. f the Northeast Asian countries, region is expected to increase even further. The material remains of these trade relations, Japan was the first to establish formal In an attempt to present a multi-faceted housed in the museums of Japan, South Korea, Oeconomic relations with the Middle view of China-Middle East relations, two East in the modern period. The way in which perspectives are presented. The way in which and China, are a vivid reminder of the active these economic, and later political, relations China envisages its role in, and relationship movement of Arab merchants and goods. In the developed throughout the 20th century to the with, the region is first illustrated by Tsinghua present day is addressed by Akiko Yoshioka, University’s Tingyi Wang in ‘China and the modern period, engagements between the two Senior Analyst at the JIME Center-IEEJ, in Middle East: Old Friends in a New Era’. The regions have extended to the political, as well ‘Relations between Japan and the Middle reality of China’s engagements in the Middle East’. For South Korea, the Gulf region has East is then examined by Ceren Ergenç of as economic realms. In this issue of News from been a ‘land of opportunities’ since the 1970s. Middle East Technical University in ‘China’s Northeast Asia, we examine the reality of modern In ‘Reinventing the Middle East? South Korea’s Relations with the Middle East: A Perspective Engagements with the Gulf amid Geopolitical from the Region’. interactions between the Middle Eastern region Conflicts’, June Park of Seoul National and the countries of Northeast Asia, focusing on University discusses the potentials and risks Dr Ilhong Ko Research Fellow at Seoul issues such as energy, diplomacy, investment, facing South Korea’s maneuvers in the Middle National University Asia Center; Regional East. China’s presence in the Middle East is Editor of ‘News from Northeast Asia’ and military relations. considerable indeed, and its influence in the [email protected]

On the energy security front, the national of the Cold War. During the Gulf Crisis and oil stockpile, which did not exist in 1973, is now the Gulf War in 1990–1991, the Japanese secured for more than 100 days, and energy- government maintained a rather tentative saving measures have become prevalent in approach to the hostage situation in Iraq, Japanese society. The Japanese government where hundreds of Japanese were used as also increased the use of nuclear energy human shields; at the same time they were and natural gas in an attempt to diversify its asked by the United States to contribute primary energy supply. Therefore, the share of militarily in the war as an ally. It was the first oil among primary energy sources decreased time post–World War II that Japan had to deal significantly from 75.5% in 1973 to 41.1% in with an international conflict. Even though 2015.3 However, in terms of dependence on Japan ended up spending as much as $13 Middle Eastern oil, not much has changed; billion, the ad hoc policy was not appreciated the current share of the oil supply coming from in the international community, and the the Middle East is more than 80%, higher than Gulf War is now remembered as a diplomatic the 77.5% in 1973 – although it did temporarily defeat. Since then, Japan has pursued decrease in 1987 to 69.7%. In 2015, four Middle a ‘Proactive Contribution to Peace’ policy, Eastern nations – Saudi Arabia, the UAE, sending the Self-Defense Force (SDF) overseas Kuwait, and Qatar – provided as much as mainly through peace-keeping operations 75.4% of Japan’s oil. Since 1975, either Saudi with the UN. A new law in 2007 upgraded Arabia or the UAE have been top oil exporters international operations as the primary to Japan; meanwhile, UAE, Qatar, and Oman mission of the SDF. So far, the SDF has been provide a quarter share of Japan’s natural gas deployed to the Persian Gulf (1991), the Golan Relations between Japan supply. In 2011 Qatar doubled its gas export Heights (1996–2013), Iraq (2004–2008), Sudan to Japan following the suspension of nuclear (2008–2011), and South Sudan (2011–2017), and the Middle East power operations caused by the Great East as well as other Asian and African countries. Japan Earthquake, and became Japan’s third Japan’s active political and economic gas provider besides Australia and Malaysia.4 engagement with the Middle East, at both Akiko Yoshioka Since the Ministry of Economy, Trade and government and private levels, aims to achieve Industry (METI) has predicted that oil and peace and stability in these countries. For this natural gas will continue to make up about half purpose, Japan has been deeply involved in he beginning of the 20th century saw by concession agreements, Japan’s of Japan’s primary energy in 2030, relations the Middle East peace process since the 1990s. a rapid increase in Japan’s demand relations with Middle Eastern countries, with the Middle East shall remain the most However, Japan lacks the political leverage T for oil, along with the introduction of albeit important, were not considered vital. important for Japan’s energy security. to be an influential mediator between parties motor vehicles and warfare, while domestic A paradigm shift occurred in 1973 Relations between Japan and the Middle in conflict because of stringent constitutional oil production had already peaked at the time. when the Organization of Arab Petroleum East have grown outside the realm of energy limitations on the military sphere, despite Safeguarding a stable supply of oil became Exporting Countries (OAPEC) implemented in past decades. The Middle East is an the historical advantage of neutrality it a keystone of Japan’s energy security, which an oil embargo after the fourth Arab-Israeli important market for the automobiles and has enjoyed in the Middle East compared led Japan to the Middle East, as well as Asia war. Japan had failed to be categorized machinery export, as well as for infrastructure to European countries. Therefore, Japan’s and Russia. as an Arab-friendly nation and was informed development for Japanese companies, who approach to energy security and strengthening of an export reduction. The news caused have also worked on enhancing human relations with the Middle East has been and Japan's first import of Middle Eastern a so-called ‘toilet-paper panic’ among resources and technical cooperation in various will be mainly to focus on the economic field, oil took place in 1921 from Iran.1 After World the Japanese who believed paper fields through government support. Japan including a steady and long-term commitment War II, Japanese demand for oil continued production would soon stop, leading to International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to human and social development. to increase, for postwar reconstruction massive purchases. The oil crisis accelerated has been engaged in several reconstruction and economic growth. Despite failing in inflation, which led the government to projects after the Iraq War in 2003, such Akiko Yoshioka Senior Analyst at JIME Saudi Arabia and Iraq in the 1930s due to introduce a legal framework to prevent the as power plants, water-supply systems, Center-IEEJ (Institute of Energy Economics, insufficient development funds and technical hoarding of goods and the arbitrary hiking communication networks, oil refineries, and Japan) [email protected] capacities,2 Japan’s endeavor to secure of prices. This event inspired some serious fertilizer factories. At the beginning of the crude oil by developing oil wells eventually rethinking with regard to Japan’s energy 21st century, some gulf airlines introduced Notes succeeded in 1957, when the Arabian Oil security and its relations with the Middle direct flights to Japan and contributed to Company gained concession of the Khafji East. As a new initiative to understand raising the profile of Arab Gulf countries 1 Hosaka, S. 2014 (June/July). ‘Nihon to field at the neutral zone between Saudi Arabia Middle East geopolitics and to strengthen among the Japanese. Dubai has now become wangan no sekiyu: baren sekiyu yunyuu 80 and Kuwait. However, since most of Japan’s ties, the Japanese Institute of Middle Eastern a well-known tourist destination among the shuunen’, Chuto Kyouryoku Senta Nyusu. 2 Nakajima, I. 2015. Sekiyu to nihon: kunan oil was imported through major Western Economies (JIME), the predecessor of Japanese, in addition to the historic cities to zasetsu no shigengaikoushi. Tokyo: oil companies that controlled vast resources JIME Center-IEEJ, was established in 1974. of Istanbul and Cairo. Shinchousha, p.55. Beyond these economic aspects, the Middle 3 The Energy Data & Modelling Center (IEEJ). Above: Japanese Vice Foreign Minister Youji Muto, next to Dutch Foreign Minister Koenders, at the Pledging East has also been the center stage of national 2017. Enerugi keizai toukei youran, p.26. Conference in Support of Iraq in July 2016. Image courtesy of United States Department of State. security discussions, especially since the end 4 Ibid., pp.192-193. The Newsletter No. 80 Summer 2018 News from Northeast Asia Regional Editor 23 Northeast Asia’s engagements Ilhong Ko The Region with the Middle East

Reinventing the Middle East? South Korea’s engagements with the Gulf amid geopolitical conflicts

June Park

outh Korean industries take great pride in having constructed some of the most Smonumental infrastructures in the Gulf since the 1970s. The oil shock of 1973 prompted a spike in oil prices and allowed for petrostates in the Gulf to initiate an economic development agenda focusing on infrastructure, across Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iran and Iraq.1 Following the Asian Financial Crisis of the 1990s, South Korean construction companies–notably Samsung C&T, Hyundai Engineering & Construction, GS Engineering & Construction –have constantly looked into opportunities in the region.2 The expansion of South Korea’s economic engagements with Gulf States is coupled with its cultural charm offensive of the Korean Wave (hallyu), and exports of 'Made in Korea' products ranging from halal- certified foods to electronics and autos.3

South Korea stands at a pivotal turning point for diversification of trading partners, as it continues to rely on an economic model heavily dependent on exports – with a huge concentration on China and the United States as export destinations. Along with Southeast Asia, the Middle East region is all the more important for the South Korean economy as an alternative export destination. But as the relationships between South Korea and the Gulf states deepen, despite the positive effects of increased level of engagements, South Korea’s engagements in the region are not without potential risks as the Middle East is by far one of President Moon Jae-in and Suhail bin Mohammed Faraj Faris Al Mazrouei, UAE Minister of Energy and Industry, during the South Korean president’s state visit the world’s most geopolitically complex regions. to the UAE in March 2018. Image courtesy of The Republic of Korea Cheong Wa Dae (Blue House). Energy is the most crucial component in South Korea-Middle East transactions, and the main drive for South Korean outward With the effects of the KRG referendum Post-9/11, with the U.S. declaration of war of a post-conflict state of Iraq and strategic investments in the region. As Asian demand of 2017 becoming obsolete, South Korean on Iraq in 2003, South Korea was obligated partnership with a Sunni state would entail for Middle Eastern energy continues to grow, firms are now vying for new opportunities in as a U.S. ally to deploy troops to Erbil of the certain levels of risks for South Korea going South Korea is one of the biggest consumers Iraq, notably in infrastructure and technology Kurdistan autonomous region of Northern Iraq forward. Such risks may be compounded as of Gulf oil and natural gas.4 South Korea’s first for democratic growth. South Korean (now Kurdistan Regional Government: KRG) decision making processes are convened by overseas nuclear power plant building project con-glomerate Hanhwa’s construction of upon the U.S. request to send additional forces omnipotent presidencies in the South Korean in the UAE and installation of a nuclear reactor residential apartments in Bismiyah New City on 4 September 2003. The Zaitun Division, political system. South Korea’s maneuvers in for a joint research project in Jordan brought of the Baghdad Governorate5 and South composed of 600 military medics and engineers, the Middle East will require careful treading, about subsequent interests from Saudi Arabia. Korean IT firm Miru Systems’ successful bid operated in Iraq as contingent of the Republic as North Korea’s ties with other Middle Eastern As the Gulf states look toward diversifying their for sale of electronic voting machines for of Korea from 2004 to 2008. In 2018, nine years countries could also potentially jeopardize energy sources, they look to Northeast Asia – Iraqi local and parliamentary elections to the after its signing, a secret military pact between South Korea’s position in the region. China, Japan, and South Korea – for provision Baghdad Government signaled the beginning the Republic of Korea and the United Arab of nuclear and renewable energy sources. of South Korea-Iraq partnerships toward Emirates obligating South Korean deployment Dr. June Park Research Fellow at the Yet, South Korea manifested patterns reconstruction in post-ISIS Iraq.6 of special forces to the UAE on a regular basis, Seoul National University Asia Center, of disorganization and corruption in its While South Korea could indeed play the without South Korean national assembly S. Korea [email protected] investments for energy resources in Iraq during role of a facilitator in Iraqi democracy and approval, came to light.8 The pact proved to the Lee Myung-bak presidency (2008 to 2013). governance through such partnerships – be instrumental in finalizing the South Korean As one of the major buyers of Iraqi oil, South resembling Iraq as a former war-stricken country bid for the Barakah nuclear power plant in Notes Korea has made deliberate miscalculations that went through democratic transitions and the UAE under Lee Myungbak. Nonetheless, 1 Shim, U.S. 2015. ‘South Korean Workers in its investments in oil drilling and liquefaction breakthroughs in the 1980s – South Korea’s own the Moon administration’s decision to embark and the Middle East Construction Boom projects in pre-ISIS Iraq. Its public investments controversies in the 2012 presidential elections, on a more strategic partnership with the UAE in the 1970s’, Journal of Contemporary in Akkas, Mansuria, Badra and Zubayr entailing manipulation of vote count methods reveals South Korea’s vested economic interests Korean Studies 2(1):37-56. under the Lee Myung-bak presidency were via automated voting machines, let alone its on outward investments in the renewable and 2 Maierbrugger, A. ‘South Korea is building considered catastrophic failures, incurring previous experiences of vote count controversies nuclear energy sectors in the coming years, the Gulf’, Gulf News. 5 November 2015. huge losses of the South Korean taxpayers’ in the presidential elections of Sungman Rhee, despite its internal reluctance to delve into 3 Saberi, D. ‘The Rise of South Korea’s Soft money, and investigations into the invest- the first Korean president, and authoritarian the region with military pursuits.9 Power in the Middle East’, The Diplomat, ments under the Moon administration have leaders Park Chung-hee and Chun Doo-whan, The Middle East is a complicated region in 14 March 2018. culminated in Lee’s arrest in March 2018. attest to certain limits of the South Korean model many aspects, and a power vacuum gradually 4 Tan, F. & R. El Gamal. ‘Iraq plans major In the pre-ISIS era, South Korea also suffered of democracy and South Korean transfer of develops in uncertainty. Russia under Putin change to oil pricing for Asia’, Reuters, 7 21 August 2017. from misreading local politics, as the Korea democratic governance toolkit to post-ISIS Iraq. remains engaged in Syria, but the U.S. under 5 ‘Construction in Iraq - Key Trends and National Oil Corporation and SK Energy were Whether South Korea as a US ally would be Trump sways between engagement and Opportunities to 2020’, PR Newswire, excluded by the Iraqi Central Government able to proactively engage with Iraq on projects withdrawal, while China seeks more active 17 August 2016. in Baghdad in the 2008 bidding process for other than oil, and whether its assistance involvement economically and politically in 6 ‘S. Korean firm bags deal to export vote- oil fields development, due to their previous could help shape Iraq’s governance structure the region. The Saudi Arabia-Iran rivalry is counting machines to Iraq’, Yonhap News, involvement in oil liquefaction projects with the towards democracy, remains to be seen. intensifying via proxy wars in Yemen and Syria. 2 April 2017. Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) of Iraq. While it is widely understood that South South Korea’s engagements could thus be a 7 Choi, G. H. ‘Is it the plan or NO plan? When the Iraq War ended in 2011, South Korean Korea’s main security concern is North Korea, double-edged sword due to the geopolitical Dissecting the Vote-Count Controversy’, industries sought for a revival of economic South Korea has been involved in a series complexities in the region, particularly owing Newstapa, 7 July 2017. 8 Park, J. & A. Ahmad. ‘Risky Business: of broader security roles in the Middle East engagements with the region, but the interwar to South Korea’s own military engagements South Korea’s Secret Military Deal with period did not last long and investment projects from the 2000s. Into the new millennium, with the U.S. that have been deemed a UAE’, The Diplomat, 1 March 2018. would soon be stalled due to the Syrian war South Korea’s pursuits in the Middle East were priority for South Korea in the postwar period. 9 Gambrell, J. ‘South Korean president that broke out in 2011, and the subsequent centered around achieving economic interests, Participation of a middle power such as South visits UAE amid deepening ties’, AP, rise of the Islamic State (ISIS) in 2014. but with combined military engagements. Korea in the management and reconstruction 25 March 2018. 24 News from Northeast Asia Regional Editor The Region Northeast Asia’s engagements Ilhong Ko with the Middle East

China felt its main foreign policy principle, non-violation of state sovereignty, had been China’s relations with the Middle East: compromised.7 Turkey is currently ambivalent about a perspective from the region China’s position in the Syrian crisis, although it previously collaborated in a military drill with China in 2010 on the condition that Ceren Ergenç Israel be excluded. The military drill was followed by a missiles deal with China which was abruptly and unilaterally canceled by Turkey in 2014 in response to NATO’s protests.8 Prospects for a closer alliance with China and membership to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization are often pronounced by the current Turkish government as a sign of its new multifaceted, less Western-oriented, foreign policy orientation.9 In short, China is gradually emerging as a global power involved in regional affairs. While China appears willing to act as a responsible global power, its own domestic security concerns prove its involvement in the Middle East region to be less than smooth. There are two main domestic concerns that shape China’s involvement in the Middle East: Middle Eastern relations with the Uyghur minority in China, and the impact of the Arab Spring on China’s public opinion. China’s relations with Turkey have followed a tumultuous path given the former’s soft attitude towards the Uyghur separatist movement. While the movement’s headquarters were removed from Istanbul following the Turkish government’s ‘China pivot’ in the early 2000s,10 China is concerned that there is an increasing number of Chinese nationals of Uyghur background joining ISIS in Syria with the intention to go back to China via Turkey.11 Consequently, China imposes visa restrictions on Turkish nationals even though China and Turkey enjoy warm relations at the presidential level, as demonstrated in the 2014 G-20 Summit in Hangzhou where Turkish president Erdogan was a keynote speaker along with Russian president Putin. China’s approach towards the popular protests in Iran and the Arab Spring has been cautious, as it perceives these popular protests against governments to be detrimental towards China’s domestic stability concerns. However, China’s reluctance to take a stance against the Arab regimes during the Arab Springs led President Xi Jinping. © Creative Commons. Courtesy UN on flickr. to a loss of credibility for the country in Arab public opinion.12 To conclude, China has been heavily fter thirty years of domestic develop- In short, China’s relations with the Middle East The BRI is primarily based on the construction involved in Middle Eastern affairs in recent ment and consolidation, China has until the 1980s were shaped by two factors: industry, as exemplified in Kuwait’s Silk City.3 years. While its economic involvement is Aentered a new phase in which its inter- Cold War-era political rivalries and China’s China’s infrastructure investment in the welcomed by the regional actors, political national aspirations are clearly pronounced; own domestic security concerns. The post- construction industry is a welcomed and security concerns create obstacles for it is redefining its role in the international Mao years would witness the centrality of development against the economic slowdown China to be perceived as a global power system. The Belt & Road Initiative (BRI) in economic motivations. Arab countries have been facing following central to regional affairs in the Middle East. particular signals a new type of regional- Currently, China’s relationship with the the political instability in the aftermath ization in the making, with its bilateral projects Middle East has three dimensions: Economic, of the Arab Spring or dropping oil prices.4 Ceren Ergenç Assistant Professor, with countries and regions beyond China’s international political, and domestic/regional Besides these economic motivations, Middle East Technical University, immediate borders. One of these regions security concerns. In assessing each of these China appears willing to be involved in Department of International Relations is the Middle East, where this realignment dimensions, China’s uneasy relationship with regional political affairs as a tool to consolidate & Asian Studies Program, Turkey is intertwined with political and economic the Middle East due to clashes of economic, its image as a responsible world power. [email protected] concerns. diplomatic and security interests in the China’s traditional foreign policy doctrine, region can be highlighted. Japan and South Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, Notes China’s relations with the Middle East Korea were the primary East Asian economic formulated in 1953, upholds non-intervention in were initially shaped by Cold War dynamics. partners of the Middle East during the 1970s the domestic affairs of sovereign states. Such 1 Kuscu, I. 2013. ‘The Origins of Uyghur Long- While China did not intend to be actively and 1980s. China slowly became an economic an approach prevented China from getting Distance Nationalism: The First Generation involved in the region’s affairs, it took a stance partner as its dependency on the region’s involved in regional conflicts as a moderator Uyghur Diaspora in Turkey’, Journal within the framework of the ‘Third Worldism’ of energy resources grew from the 1980s. China’s or an external actor that could change the of Central Asian & Caucasian Studies the Mao-era. China’s relations with the Middle economic interests in the Middle East focus on balance of power. However, China has recently 8(16):73-94. East were predominantly political during the four aspects: energy, trade, service labor, and made moves signaling a more proactive foreign 2 Hardy, L. 2017. ‘A Rising China Eyes the Middle East’, The Century Foundation. Cold War period. Given China’s pro-Palestinian the construction industry/investment. China policy. In the Arab-Israeli conflict, China https://tinyurl.com/hardy2017 all websites attitude, Egypt, a leading member of the has become an energy importer following maintains its position of advocating a two- referenced here were accessed on 15 April Arab (Socialist) League, became the first Arab the exponential growth of its industries. state solution as manifested in the 2016 Arab 2018. country to recognize the People’s Republic The Middle East supplies more than half of Policy paper.5 However, Chinese academic and 3 Idem of China in 1956, while the Gulf Cooperation China’s oil needs and in return, China is the cultural institutions also do not participate in 4 Lehr, D. 2017. ‘The Middle East is the Hub Council (GCC) countries in the West largest buyer of MENA oil.2 Additionally, the the boycott against Israel, which makes China for China’s Modern Silk Road’, Middle East Camp refused to recognize it until Sino-US Middle East is one of the central zones of the a welcome candidate for mediation between Institute. https://tinyurl.com/lehr2017 normalization in 1972. In return, China did not Belt & Road Initiative (BRI) of China launched the two parties. 5 Xinhua. 2016. ‘China’s Arab Policy Paper’. establish diplomatic relations with Israel until by President Xi Jinping in 2013. BRI is the As for the Syrian civil war, China has been https://tinyurl.com/xinhua2016capp 6 Ibid., Hardy 2017 1992. China recognized Palestine in 1988 with proactive foreign policy of China that aims following international institutional channels 7 Sun, Y. 2012. ‘Syria: What China Has which it had maintained political, cultural at channeling out excessive domestic capital, such as the United Nations Security Council Learned From its Libya Experience’, Asia and economic relations since the early 1960s. creating employment for China’s skilled and (UNSC) and the International Syria Support Pacific Bulletin, East-West Center. https:// Turkey also did not establish diplomatic unskilled workforce, and fostering bilateral Group, and has acted as Special Envoy in tinyurl.com/sun2012apb relations with China until 1971. Turkey interdependencies in Asia, Europe and Africa. the Syrian Peace Talks following Russia’s 8 Ergenç, C. 2015. ‘Can Two Ends of Asia had received a high number of Uyghur The BRI includes the Middle East through major proposals. Therefore, China is perceived as a Meet? An Overview of Contemporary refugees throughout the 1950s, following infrastructure investment policies, such as the part of a coalition with Russia and partly with Turkey-China Relations’, East Asia 32:289– the consolidation of China’s borders. Suez Canal, which is central to the ‘maritime Iran on the Syrian peace process.6 The reason 308; DOI 10.1007/s12140-015-9242. Consequently, Turkey served as one of Road’ part of the BRI. Israel and Iran are also that China does not act more forthcoming 9 Idem 10 Idem the major hubs of the Uyghur diaspora in included in the BRI: Iran through the Tehran regarding the Syrian crisis is due to the 11 Lin, C. 2017. ‘Chinese Uyghur colonies in the following decades. The activities of the railway that connects to the China-Pakistan outcome of the Libyan civil war during the Syria a challenge for Beijing’, Asia Times. Uyghur diaspora leaders in Istanbul remained route, and Israel through the Red-Med project Arab Spring period. China did not object to https://tinyurl.com/lin2017atimes a source of discordance between the Turkish that aims at connecting the Red Sea to the the UNSC resolution to intervene in the Libyan 12 Schichor, Y. 2013. ‘Middle Eastern and Chinese governments even after the Mediterranean. Both railway projects are civil war but when the intervention caused Perceptions of China’s Rise’, China Policy establishment of diplomatic relations.1 central to the ‘land-bound Belt’ part of the BRI. the overthrowing of the Qaddafi regime, Institute. https://tinyurl.com/Schichor2013 The Newsletter No. 80 Summer 2018 News from Northeast Asia Regional Editor 25 Northeast Asia’s engagements Ilhong Ko The Region with the Middle East

harmful to China’s development and just to want keep away from this China and the Middle East: ‘Graveyard of Empires’. But basically, most Chinese people know very little old friends in a new era about the Middle East. As for the view from the Middle East, some may appreciate China’s non-involvement Tingyi Wang attitude towards local issues and its maintenance of long-term friendly relations, whilst others may suspect t is quite unusual to see a state keeping Middle East is maintained at high levels. China’s intentions in the region and fear good relationships with all the Middle To take Sino-Arab trade as an example, that China may become another dom- IEast countries. In January 2016, Chinese China’s trade with Arab countries has inating power as its influence grows. President Xi Jinping made his first state-visit grown from 36.7 billion USD to 251.2 billion The challenges to Sino-Middle East to the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia, USD between 2004 and 2014. In 2016 the relations are obvious, and may cause Egypt, and Iran. This symbolic visit marked bilateral trade volume reached 231.9 billion some problems or even risks in the near the rapidly developing relationships between USD, with more than half of China’s crude future. Firstly, each side has only a limited China and the Middle East. The ambitious oil coming from Arab countries (190.6 knowledge or understanding of the other. initiatives of Xi’s presidency, such as million tons, 50.15% of the total amount Although historical connections existed ‘One Belt One Road’, Asian Infrastructure of 381 million tons).1 This figure does not in the past, China’s relationship with the Investment Bank (AIIB), and the Silk Road include Iran, the fifth largest oil importer Middle East was halted for quite a long Fund, all have linkages with the Middle East. to China. As Professor Tim Niblock time and even after World War II, the Connections between China and the Middle has noted on China’s relations with Cold War and ideological divisions still East date back to around 2000 years ago GCC countries, “For the two centuries played a very negative role in bilateral to China’s Han dynasty. Now both sides preceding 2013, the bulk of Gulf trade relations. Until 1992, Israel as the last are entering a new era as old friends. was with Western countries ... In 2013, for Middle Eastern country finally established the first time, China became the largest its diplomatic relations with China. China is a strategic partner of Saudi partner of the Gulf region (taking all Secondly, the turbulence, conflicts, and Arabia, Egypt, Iran, and it also maintains eight Gulf countries together).”2 civil wars taking place in the Middle East frequent high-level contacts with Israel, Turkey, Military cooperation between both sides have already caused some worries within and other states. Very few state leaders could has steadily moved forward. Despite the Chinese society, following the kidnapping pay state visits to Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Iran frequent high level visits and purchases of and murder of Chinese nationals in at the same time and receive warm welcomes, equipment and weapons, China’s military Pakistan and Afghanistan in the past as President Xi did in 2015. Just before Xi’s existence in the Middle East is generally few years. Thirdly, China is a newcomer departure, China issued its first ‘Arab Policy ‘soft’, taking the form of peacekeeping with growing interests in the region but Paper’ since 1949, which is a milestone of Sino- missions in Sudan and Lebanon. China’s at the same time faces pressures in East Arab relations. China was also determined to naval escort fleet also made a number and South Asia. Whether China has play an active role in the Palestine-Israel Peace of stops at the ports of Middle Eastern enough resources and the determination Process, and held the Palestinian-Israeli Peace countries and played an important role to continue developing its long-term Symposium in Beijing in 2017. in evacuations in Yemen in 2015 when strategic relations with the Middle East Besides warming up diplomatic and civil war broke out. Compared to China’s countries is still a question with no political interactions, China has already various commercial interests and presence answer in sight. become the largest trade partner of many of more than a million Chinese nationals Middle East countries. ‘Make Trade, Not in the Middle East, its military power is Tingyi Wang PhD candidate at War’ – trade and peace are China’s two relatively weak and so far it only has a the Department of International main objectives in this region. So far, around limited existence in this region to protect Relations, Tsinghua University, China 300,000 Chinese nationals live and work in its people and commercial interests. But [email protected] the United Arab Emirates. They mainly stay China may have two ports surrounding at the ‘Dragon City’, a well-known bazaar city the Middle East in the near future: one crowded with Chinese businessmen, located is Gwadar port in Pakistan and the other Notes next to Dubai. It is estimated that at least a is Djibouti port in East Africa. million Chinese now live in the Middle East. As for how the Chinese view the 1 Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China, 2017; One Belt One Road, or the so called ‘New Middle East region, there are very https://tinyurl.com/cafiec20171102 Silk Road’ is a worthy attempt, although s different opinions. Some believe that the 2 Niblock, T. 2016. Situating the GCC ome may argue that it will be too costly Middle East is a strategic area for China Calligraphy combining the Arabic word ‘Salam’ in China's Transforming Roles in and profits not as good as projected. Despite and will be useful to China’s One Belt One and the Chinese character ‘宁’, which both mean Asia, Middle East Institute; these arguments, China’s trade with the Road initiative; others think the area is ‘peace’. Adapted from a photo taken in Riyadh. https://tinyurl.com/mei-niblock

Participants of the ‘China-Arab Academic Dialogue’, which took place in Beijing in September 2014. 26 newbooks.asia Asian Studies. Newest Titles. The Review Latest Reviews.

New reviews on

newbooks.asia is the go-to Asian studies book review newbooks.asia website, administered by IIAS. The site lists the newest titles in the field of Asian studies and makes them available Now available to read online for review. Find a selection of new titles on page 28. All reviews are posted online, whilst a lucky few also make it into The Newsletter (see pp.42-47 of this issue). Browse a selection of the latest reviews below.

‘One of the most reliable ‘Superb balance of the theoretical references’ – Meredian Alam and empirical, with a mix of case

Anne Rademacher and K. Sivaramakrishnan (eds). 2017. study narratives and analysis. This Places of Nature in Ecologies of Urbanism work should become the standard Hong Kong: Hong Kong University Press ISBN 9789888390595 for many years to come’ – Paul Doolan https://newbooks.asia/review/disengagement-nature-urban Ana Dragojlovic. 2016. Beyond Bali: Subaltern Citizens and Post-Colonial Intimacy Amsterdam: Amsterdam University Press ISBN 9789462980648 https://newbooks.asia/review/beyond-bali

‘A masterful assessment of issues ‘A delightful, often anecdotic surrounding the citizenship on South narrative of exemplary fieldwork Asians living in the French colony and in-depth interviewing’ – Niels Mulder

of Indochine’ – William B. Noseworthy Sophorntavy Vorng. 2017. A Meeting of Masks: Status, Power and Hierarchy in Bangkok Natasha Pairaudeau. 2016. Mobile Citizens: French Indians in Indochina, 1858-1954 Copenhagen: NIAS Press ISBN 9788776941970 Copenhagen: NIAS Press https://newbooks.asia/review/life-show ISBN 9788776941581 https://newbooks.asia/review/mobile-citizens

‘The method of zooming in on one ‘A compelling perspective [to those] family will definitely be interesting interested in understanding the to historians of empire, for whom multidimensional problems associated the micro-historical approach is still with eradicating open defecation relatively uncommon’ – Kirsten Kamphuis in India and elsewhere’ – Linda Lane

Niranjan Casinader. 2017. Diane Coffey and Dean Spears. 2017. Transnationalism, Education and Empowerment: Where India Goes: Abandoned Toilets, Stunted Development The Latent Legacies of Empire and the Costs of Caste Abingdon and New York: Routledge Noida, Uttar Pradesh: HarperCollins India ISBN 9781138916012 ISBN: 9789352645657 https://newbooks.asia/review/colonial-education https://newbooks.asia/review/where-india-goes

‘A convincing book on the formation of ‘The most outstanding feature new urban zones in Ho Chi Minh City, of this book is its illustrations bringing together the voices of those who and audiovisual resources’ have become victims of such zones and – Lonán Ó Briain

of those who exclusively profit from it’ – Victoria Vorreiter. 2016. Hans Schenk Hmong Songs of Memory: Traditional Secular and Sacred Hmong Music Erik Harms. 2016. Thailand: Resonance Press Luxury and Rubble, Civility and Dispossession in the New Saigon ISBN 9780998123905 https://newbooks.asia/review/hmong-songs Oakland: University of California Press ISBN 9780520292512 https://newbooks.asia/review/rubbles-luxury The Newsletter No. 80 Summer 2018 27 The Review

‘Erudite, entertaining, and accessible’ ‘Had the authors reproduced the – Sumana Paul interviews in full, with an extensive

Gautam Kumar Bera. 2017. historical introduction, and detailed A Cultural and Religious History of Tripura explanatory notes, the results would Guwahati, India: Spectrum Publications ISBN 9788184330854 have been much better’ – Chandar S. Sundaram https://newbooks.asia/review/tripura-tripuris Edgar A. Porter and Ran Ying Porter. 2018. Japanese Reflections on World War II and the American Occupation Amsterdam: Amsterdam University Press ISBN: 9789462982598 https://newbooks.asia/review/japanese-reflections

‘An insightful read and, perhaps ‘This should be considered required more importantly, contributes to reading for any scholars interested a discussion that will hopefully in the Indian state, postcoloniality, grow and take root’ – Neil Webster and sexuality studies’ – Lars Aaberg

Olle Törnquist and John Harriss with Neere Chandhoke Jyoti Puri. 2016. and Frederik Engelstad (eds). 2016. Sexual States: Governance and the Struggle Reinventing Social Democratic Development: Insights over the Antisodomy Law in India from Indian and Scandinavian Comparisons Durham, NC and London: Duke University Press Copenhagen: NIAS Press ISBN 9780822360438 ISBN 9788776942007 https://newbooks.asia/review/sex-governance-law https://newbooks.asia/review/reinventing-development

‘This book certainly deserves ‘Presenting factual information as well praises for the contributors’ efforts as analyses of economic and political to introduce a rarely-discussed strategies by governments and oil concept through in-depth analyses companies that encompass major of cases’ – Shangpo Hsieh regions of strategic importance’ – Kurt Radtke

Paul J. Carnegie, Victor T. King, and Zawawi Ibrahim (eds). 2016. Mehdi P. Amineh and Yang Guang (eds). 2017. Human Insecurities in Southeast Asia Geopolitical Economy of Energy and Environment: New York: Springer China and the European Union ISBN 9789811022456 Boston and Leiden: Brill https://newbooks.asia/review/human-insecurity ISBN 9789004273108 https://newbooks.asia/review/geopolitical-economy

‘A comprehensive, authoritative ‘It provides food for thought, account of the contemporary political and a stimulus to undertake further, landscape of the Middle Kingdom’ and more integrated, research’ – Shane J. Barter and Jaroslav Zapletal – Patrick Vanden Berghe

Sebastian Heilmann (ed.) 2017. Andrea Acri, Roger Blench and Alexandra Landmann (eds). 2017. China’s Political System Spirits and Ships: Cultural Transfers in Early Monsoon Asia Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield Singapore: ISEAS - Yusof Ishak Institute ISBN 9781442277359 ISBN 9789814762755 https://newbooks.asia/review/china-political-system https://newbooks.asia/review/spirits-ships

‘This book shines a useful light on the ‘A treasure trove for anyone interested, relationship between contemporary not only in the history of Kabul, but China and Russia’ – Gregory Vincent Raymond also that of Afghanistan and beyond

Michal Lubina. 2017. in general’ – Willem Vogelsang Russia and China: A Political Marriage of Convenience - Stable and Successful May Schinasi. 2016 Kabul: A History 1773-1948 Opladen, Germany: Barbara Budrich Publishers Translated by R. D. McChesney ISBN 9783847420453 https://newbooks.asia/review/russia-china Leiden and Boston: Brill ISBN: 9789004323636 https://newbooks.asia/review/kabul-history 28 newbooks.asia Asian Studies. Newest Titles. The Review Latest Reviews.

Visit newbooks.asia to browse the newest titles in the field of Asian studies. If you would like to review any of the available titles, of which you will find Asian Studies. Newest Titles. Latest Reviews. a selection below, please submit a review request through the website or send an email to our editor at [email protected] newbooks.asia

Empire and Ecology in the Bengal Delta: The Making of Calcutta

Debjani Bhattacharyya. 2018. Cambridge University Press ISBN 9781108425742 newbooks.asia/publication/empire-and-ecology

Buddhism Illuminated: Manuscript Art from South-East Asia

San San May and Jana Igunma. 2018.

University of Washington Press ISBN 9780295743783 newbooks.asia/publication/buddhism-illuminated

Philippine Modernities: Experimental Beijing: Gender Music, Performing Arts, and Globalization in Chinese Contemporary Art and Language, 1880 to 1941 Sasha Su-Ling Welland. 2018. Jose S. Buenconsejo (ed.) 2018. Duke University Press University of the Philippines Press ISBN 9780822369288 ISBN 9789715428491 newbooks.asia/publication/experimental-beijing newbooks.asia/publication/philippine-modernities

Amanda Therese Jennifer Robertson. Judd C. Kinzley. 2018. Andrew I. Yeo and Rosemarijn Hoefte Don F. Selby. 2018. Snellinger. 2018. 2018. Natural Resources Danielle Chubb (eds). and Peter Meel (eds). Human Rights Making New Nepal: Robo Sapiens and the New Frontier: 2018. 2018. in Thailand From Student Activism Japanicus: Robots, Constructing Modern North Korean Human Departing from Java: University of to Mainstream Politics Gender, Family, and China’s Borderlands Rights: Activists and Javanese Labour, Pennsylvania Press University of the Japanese Nation University of Chicago Press Networks Migration and Diaspora ISBN 9780812250220 Washington Press University of California Press ISBN 9780226492155 Cambridge University Press NIAS Press newbooks.asia/publication/ ISBN 9780295743080 ISBN 9780520283190 newbooks.asia/publication/ ISBN 9781108425490 ISBN 9788776942458 human-rights-thailand newbooks.asia/publication/ newbooks.asia/publication/ natural-resources newbooks.asia/publication/ newbooks.asia/publication/ making-new-nepal robo-sapiens rights-activists departing-java Sender Dovchin. 2018. Ana Paulina Lee. Language, Media Leo F. Goodstadt. 2018. J. Barton Scott. 2017. 2018. Munira Cheema. 2018. Adil Johan. 2018. and Globalization in A City Mismanaged: Modern Hinduism Mandarin Brazil: Women and TV Culture Cosmopolitan Intimacies: the Periphery: The Hong Kong’s Struggle and the Genealogies Race, Representation, in Pakistan: Gender, Islam Malay Film Music of the Linguascapes of Popular for Survival of Self-Rule and Memory and National Identity Independence Era Music in Mongolia Hong Kong University Press Primus Books Stanford University Press I.B. Tauris NUS Press Routledge ISBN 9789888455980 ISBN 9789386552693 ISBN 9781503606012 ISBN 9781788311779 ISBN 9789814722636 ISBN 9781138051676 newbooks.asia/publication/ newbooks.asia/publication/ newbooks.asia/publication/ newbooks.asia/publication/ newbooks.asia/publication/ newbooks.asia/publication/ city-mismanaged modern-hinduism mandarin-brazil gender-islam malay-film-music popular-mongolia The Newsletter No. 80 Summer 2018 29 The Focus

Heritage expertise across Asia This Focus section proposes to examine and study cultural Trinidad Rico heritage debates less on heritage objects and practices and more on the human agents that create, promote, and study cultural heritage and its preservation through specific and diverse interventions. These interventions do not occur in a void: they are often attached to distinct disciplinary approaches and informed by specific political contexts and historical circumstances. Therefore, the six contributors to this section, addressing challenging case studies of preservation of tangible and intangible heritage in six different regions of Asia, aim to highlight how the involvement of heritage experts affects the very nature of cultural heritage objects and practices, including the choice of approaches that are used for their study.

were applied in the restoration of Buddhist Stupas irreversibly damaged the authentic value of these objects across Thailand as objects of living religious practice.1 This type of argument propelled both a distinct academic debate on ‘alternative’ modes of heritage preservation, and also an articulation of a support for alternative approaches to preservation through the formalization of suitable principles and standards for ‘non-Western’ heritage in policy documents by international heritage safeguarding organizations. On the other hand, and intimately connected to these developments, a disciplinary interest in ‘non-Western’ heritage debates and practices called for a better understanding of precisely what a ‘non- Western’ approach should be, and equally important, who should be authorized to articulate it. The study of heritage in Asia as a territory for heritage studies that has been used to define ‘non-Western’ heritage approaches has since grown in the direction of a heritage preservation field that frames its study and management within suitable social, historical, political, and especially religious contexts—an effort that aims to bring complexity to a homogeneous idea of ‘non-Western’—or ‘Eastern’—heritage. As researchers working on Asian cultural heritage sites, the contributors to this section align with this aim but are also concerned with the way in which we are deeply implicated in the expert roles and voices that are part of the examination of ‘Asian’ heritage preservation in various ways. For example, we may manage and deploy specific disciplinary forms of expertise in our studies, which originate elsewhere and are brought in to become vernacularized in local contexts. We also examine and engage critically with the work of other experts and their forms of knowledge from our particular disciplinary vantage points, and finally, we construct and perform our own disciplinary expertise through the production of academic debates across different sites as well as globally. Our work connects the specificity of heritage preservation practices in the t is a very exciting time to be interrogating of the present collection of debates is that context of Asia with broader debates in the value and scope of different forms the idea that there may be a ‘non-Western’ regional and international scales, examining Iof cultural heritage expertise that are approach was built significantly on evidence the channels of expertise, their points of deployed across Asia for two main reasons. collected from different sites across Asia. origin, destinations, as well as conversations On the one hand, since the late 1980s, global These studies suggested convincingly that and their adaptations into local contexts histories of the development of heritage a ‘Western’ model for heritage preservation and needs. Because of this, a concern with discourses and methods have predominantly was incompatible with—often described as expertise, and the complicated dynamics highlighted the significance of recognizing destructive of—local material and immaterial that are involved, has become germane to a set of opposing territories, practices and values and practices surrounding a heritage, a critical heritage turn and the ethical study experiences, articulated as ‘Western’ and and therefore contrary to the aims of cultural of heritage preservation and management ‘non-Western’ heritage approaches. Although heritage preservation. For example, in his in contemporary Asia. Restoration work at Taj Mahal, 2016. this distinction is problematic in itself, what early work, Denis Byrne argued that the way Photo by author. is significant about this turn for the purposes in which standards of authenticity Continued on next page > 30 Heritage expertise across Asia The Focus

level of Christian sites in Nagasaki, Japan, as a process that has compromised the authenticity of an important narrative that has the opportunity to be revealed and communicated through heritage constructs. Through a process that involved grassroots, governmental, and international experts at different stages, this piece brings forth the complicated relationship between foreign experts and local forms of knowledge production that are able to reveal unknown, concealed, and extremely sensitive ‘hidden’ historical and social facts in Japan. In addition, Otsuki challenges the selective use of different historical and ethnographic sources that are used by foreign experts to support the work of heritage preservation, suggesting instead a better incorporation of local archives of knowledge in order to construct heritage resources more ethically.

Charting expertise Although the six case studies featured in this issue are diverse, they do problematize coherently some of the key concerns for critical heritage studies in this region. A theme that weaves these case studies together is a concern with heritage ethics, that is, a concern with not just the type of expertise that is deployed to resolve specific heritage Excavation and restoration work of a historic building in Doha, Qatar. Photo by author. preservation challenges, but also with the forms of self-assessment that may (or may not) be used alongside standards, methodologies, between different forms of disciplinary resource exploitation that has characterized and the authority of disciplinary archives The contributors expertise, that is, different conservation the island through the Spice trade. This, and knowledges. Experts, however critically The contributors to this Focus section and heritage management agencies, which however, does not happen without conflict trained, are not immune to perpetuating address the role of experts, expert territorialize through their work the ruins of between local and foreign ideas of restoration. dominant frameworks through the work of knowledge, and expert networks in the the famous Buddhas. This piece captures Aesthetically, she documents the restoration of heritage identification and management, and mediation of cultural heritage value, its in particular the way in which local groups Nassau Fort as a process that causes tension Eurocentrism in cultural heritage preservation management, and its dissemination across are not only excluded but also unable to between disciplinary standards of restoration approaches is not simply resolved through various professional and academic platforms. perceive the differences between the various and local perceptions of authenticity that interventions applauded in critical heritage In particular, contributors were asked to international bodies of foreign experts working go against modern approaches to the studies. Despite a growing concern with consider the intimate relationship between on this heritage site. The outcome of these conservation and management of heritage marginalized voices and agendas that heritage value, its preservation, and the negotiations, which mobilize concepts of resources. Logistically, local stakeholders have propelled the critical heritage turn, an disciplines that approach them, as well as authenticity in accordance with different resent the type of workforce that is used to under-development of new and alternative their own roles as disciplinary agents and regional and institutional interpretations, carry out restoration work as something that methodological discussions that accompany knowledge-brokers in the transmission of causes confusion among local stakeholders somewhat affects the authenticity of the this turn in heritage studies means that specific forms of expertise—carrying forms and experts. restoration work itself. interventions often normalize foreign of knowledge and methodologies that Cut Dewi follows this collection of Moving eastward, to China, Qioayun ontologies. The interplay of international, construct knowledge about, and together debates with a commentary from Western Zhang discusses heritage preservation regional, and local expertise today makes with, the field and its interlocutors. This Indonesia through her study of post-disaster debates and policies that surround the the work of heritage preservation a true ongoing debate unfolds through different Banda Aceh, on the island of Sumatra. In this preservation of intangible cultural heritage cosmopolitan venture. This is not simply due to active or completed research projects across piece, she highlights a dynamic that is often for the ethnic Qiang people in the aftermath the networked nature of heritage preservation field sites in various countries of Asia: Syria, observed in ‘non-Western’ heritage territories, of the Wenchuan earthquake of 2008. organizations, but also the hybrid identity of Afghanistan, (Western) Indonesia, (Eastern) where heritage experts foreign and local Considering governmental efforts to preserve approaches that make the identification of Indonesia, China, and Japan. While there are alike deploy standards of expertise that are this previously unsupported heritage resource, ‘the local’ increasingly challenging: local expert many scholars involved in this type of work damaging to the preservation of local heritage she examines the way in which the local authorities may partake in self-colonization across regions of Asia and the world, this value. Considering expert assessments and Qiang have reacted to expert assessment through the systematic use of foreign tools, section curates a few archetypal voices from processes of selection that actively exclude and subsequent monetization of their skills and local stakeholder groups may exercise different disciplinary angles, including views the restoration of active ‘living’ mosques, as their newly-heritagized cultural resource their agency through the willing assimilation from Anthropology, Archaeology, Dewi critiques a dominant heritage practice was drawn into the post-disaster limelight, of foreign principles in order to gain authentic Art History, Heritage Studies and Sociology. that fails to acknowledge its Western and the challenges involved in maintaining control of a heritage resource and its future. This overview, therefore, aims to give a sense colonial legacy, advocating instead for forms authenticity in these practices. This case study In this sense, expert networks become of the mosaic of issues that are encountered of expertise that devise ways to embrace cautions against the use of intangible heritage increasingly reticent to being identified as in the field when heritage preservation is put Indonesia as a stand-alone territory. practices in nationalist agendas at the expense ‘local’ or ‘foreign’. to work by the hands of experts in different In contrast, Joella van Donkersgoed of alienating practices from their rightful Therefore, moving forward, a concern within contexts, while also hoping to draw out observes a different embrace of colonial practitioners. Zhang also highlights the uneasy the growth of a critical heritage methodology common challenges and concerns that may legacies for the preservation of heritage relationship between heritage preservation is not simply to challenge forms of expertise inspire us to think of new ways to support resources in Eastern Indonesia. In the Banda and the religious practices that rely on entirely but to confront the disciplinary baggage and/or challenge different forms of expertise Islands, she documents the development of different forms of authority and expertise of Heritage Studies in order to challenge in accordance with concerns articulated a heritage industry that openly welcomes in order to assess authenticity and value. categorical distinctions between different levels collectively as ‘heritage ethics’. Western experts to highlight and protect Dutch A final contribution from Tomoe Otsuki of locality that are used to inform research In the opening article in this section, Salam heritage resources on the island as part of describes a challenging expert involvement in questions and methodologies. Looking beyond Al Quntar offers a discussion on the way in a broader legacy of economic wellbeing and the identification and protection at a global nationalities, languages, and institutional which different forms of expertise address the arrangements, there is a construction of challenges of preserving heritage resources knowledge that travels very effectively ‘under in war-torn Syria. Considering the immense the radar’ in the form of best practices, level of interest that the ongoing conflict has standards, and disciplinary languages that brought to the fate of heritage resources, originate in the same colonial centers and are Al Quntar identifies an issue that underscores deployed by ‘foreign’, ‘local’, and ‘hybrid’ disciplinary and institutional approaches alike: experts alike. The challenge is, therefore, to the absence of Syrian-centered approaches assess how this hybridity affects the work to the safeguarding of heritage value and of characterizing the relative value of highly heritage resources. Instead, she points out, politicized types of expert knowledge, and to efforts have been often directed towards examine the effects of how and when these hyper-visible initiatives for Western audiences categorical boundaries are erected or erased. and the mobilization of heritage concerns in diplomatic transactions—which Al Quntar Trinidad Rico Assistant Professor likens to the use of heritage for propaganda and Director of Cultural Heritage by the perpetrators of destructive practices. and Preservation Studies, Department Constance Wyndham brings a second of Art History, Rutgers University. challenging case study in the examination of [email protected] heritage expertise, focusing on her research in Bamyan, Afghanistan. In this piece, she lays out a complicated landscape of Notes experts and local stakeholders that unfolds throughout the reconstruction efforts and 1 Byrne, D. 1995. ‘Buddhist Stupa and debates surrounding the destroyed Bamyan Thai Social Practice’, World Archaeology Buddhas. Her work narrates the interplay Heritage construction at work in Banda Aceh, Indonesia. Photo by author. 27(2):266-281. The Newsletter No. 80 Summer 2018 Heritage expertise across Asia 31 The Focus

active risk to their lives, including possible detention by the Assad government and the destruction of their homes and heritage. This tone-deaf engagement with heritage Palmyra and expert failure preservation in the context of active conflict suggests an absence of ethical concerns. There are, in addition, equally problematic claims surrounding the preservation of Salam Al Quntar Since the outbreak of Syria’s civil war in 2011, Syrian cultural Palmyra from other organizations. During the destruction documented at the site, a heritage has suffered extensive destruction resulting from collateral number of international research efforts were bombing damage, military use, intentional destruction, and looting. launched to record the extent of damage to cultural heritage resources in various ways. As discussed in relation to the international failure to respond to the While analysis of high-resolution satellite tragic humanitarian crisis that ensued, the destruction of heritage has imagery has typically been used to record the destruction of monuments by the hands created great frustration for the international community of heritage of ISIS,4 technological advancements in experts, who have focused primarily on obtaining and distributing 3-dimensional documentation (3D) are used popularly to produce archival information information about the extent of damage to cultural resources, rather and promote dissemination of information than on the conditions created by the crisis.1 about cultural heritage sites. For example, the Institute for Digital Archaeology at the University of Oxford has created a 3D model of the destroyed Arch of Triumph in Palmyra n this sense, the Syrian heritage crisis Palmyrene empire which annexed much of been dedicated to this site. Following this using structure-from-motion photogrammetry represents what Lynn Meskell has called the Roman east. Palmyra’s architecture is shocking execution, ISIS proceeded to destroy data,5 which was then printed as a 3D arch Ian “expert failure” to describe the in- notorious for its grand colonnade, a 1100 many of the most famous ruins in situ—the and put on display in London and New York. effectiveness of professional archaeologists meter-long Roman street that connects a Bel and Baalshamin temples, the tower tombs, This initiative prompted a heated debate and preservationists to save heritage in a time temple to the god Bel with the area known as the monumental arch and standing columns— about the purpose of such an endeavor, of conflict.2 I would argue that traditional the Camp of Diocletian. Other archaeological in addition to plundering the Palmyra Museum both its creation and display, especially expert responses to the crisis by international remains in the ancient city of Palmyra today and destroying a large number of sculptures considering that the reproduced model not organizations, spearheaded by the United include an agora, a theatre, urban quarters, and artifacts still inside. In March 2016, the only failed to capture the authenticity of Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural and other temples that comprise what is Assad forces backed by Russian military the original structure, but moreover showed Organization (UNESCO), have shown little generally considered by scholars to be the support, recaptured Palmyra and immediately a lack of relatedness between this initiative tangible benefit to Syrians, to Syrian heritage finest example of surviving Roman architecture started building a Russian military base within and heritage stakeholders in Syria. In this professionals, and to Syrian cultural heritage. in the Eastern Mediterranean. Also, within the the site. Nine months later, in December sense, the display was a ‘technological hit’ The majority of appeals made in support archaeological zone of Palmyra stands the 2016, ISIS recaptured Palmyra and this time that claimed Western custodianship over of the protection of Syrian heritage have Fakhr-al-Din al-Ma’ani Castle. This heavy destroyed the tetrapylon and damaged the an endangered heritage and not much else. endorsed a notion of universality and fortification dates to the 13th century and theater. The Assad regime forces managed neutrality to justify the need to protect this offers a spectacular view of the site. The site to take it back in March 2017. cultural heritage. However, the emphasis by of Palmyra, inscribed as a UNESCO World During this time, the ancient site also Reconstruction UNESCO on coordinating its efforts through Heritage Site in 1980, has a defined place in witnessed extensive looting operations, governmental communication channels Syrian historical consciousness. Syrians feel a which resulted in many Palmyrene artifacts of Palmyra has resulted in an inability to take effective particular connection to the site and take much appearing on the antiquity market or being Throughout my work as an archaeologist protective actions and puts to question pride of the once great merchant city that captured by Lebanese and Turkish customs concerned with the ongoing developments its commitment to neutrality. The ongoing influenced and ultimately defied the power of officers. Looting started in the fall of 2011, in Syria I note that, at various levels of concerns with the fate of Palmyra, as Rome. Palmyra stands at the literal crossroads closely following the uprising in Syria, and authority, groups of international experts I discuss in this piece and through my of civilizations as the art and architecture of as ISIS took occupation of the site, they engage with problematic uses of heritage research, demonstrates the failure of the city is also a perfect portrait of the Fertile established the so-called Diwan al Rikaz preservation claims without a clear concern UNESCO’s commitment to building peace Crescent, which features an incredible blend office, giving digging permits in exchange for for the ethics associated with the work of in the minds of women and men. It also of cultures and traditions: a dynamic culture a tax, applied only for non-figurative objects. heritage preservation and management. attests to the failure of international experts and a land of inherent pluralism and mélange However, it is believed that the looters were Instead of promoting a better understanding to preserve the heritage of Palmyra in owing to its Mesopotamian, Levantine, Semitic, handing over only unsellable figurative of the way in which Syrian cultural heritage any meaningful and sustainable way. Greco-Roman, Persian, and Islamic heritage. objects to the Diwan al Rikaz (presumably to resources and their fate are mobilized I argue that, in these failed attempts, little Both the modern town and ancient city be destroyed by ISIS fighters), while keeping for political or sectarian gains, a concern consideration has been given to local of Palmyra were caught in the crossfire that from ISIS those artifacts in good condition with an idealistic reconstruction of Palmyra communities and to Syrian experts as main marked the Syrian civil war, first starting that are to be sold to dealers of antiquities de-sensitizes audiences and other experts stakeholders in the preservation of this during early 2013. In 2014, military forces on the black market. alike to the context that gives Palmyra its cultural heritage resource. from the Assad regime fortified themselves significance: heritage reconstruction as a within the site, further damaging the ruins. reconciling and unifying role in post-conflict In 2015, ISIS forces overran Palmyra, and Heritage and preservation Syria, with the Syrian people (not monuments) Palmyra committed barbaric and monstrous assaults at the core of the reconstruction process. The Built around an oasis in the Syrian desert, on the people and cultural monuments and as propaganda day for discussions about the reconstruction Tadmur—or Palmyra [city of palms]—was artifacts of the city. Throughout these events, Throughout the different shifts in the of Palmyra will come and it will require a one of the most important trade and cultural the destruction of Palmyra’s magnificent control of Palmyra, its monuments and period of reflection about what should be centers of the ancient world, with a distinctive monuments provoked an international outcry artefacts have been used in appalling political rebuilt, how it should be done, and how local culture that was incorporated into the and prompted significant media attention. propaganda.3 While ISIS used the ancient recent events of the war and occupation Roman Empire in the first century CE. More At the center of these events, ISIS executed theater to stage dramatic executions for by ISIS should be memorialized, if at all. than two centuries later, the city gained Khaled Al-Ass’ad, the former director circulation on social media, Russian military This is a discussion that will invite voices independence from Rome, and under its of Antiquities at Palmyra and a devoted forces later staged a music concert at the from institutional and disciplinary heritage famous Queen Zenobia, established the outstanding archeologist whose work had theater to promote an image of a civilized expertise. I argue, therefore, that this Russian savior before losing the discussion must be undertaken by Syrians site to ISIS forces again. As ISIS was on all sides of the conflict and not decided driven out of Palmyra in for Syria by international experts and March 2016, and despite the fragile diplomatic organizations. security conditions, UNESCO released a statement on its future Salam Al Quntar Lecturer Assistant plans for Palmyra on 27 March Professor - Classics, Rutgers University. 2016. In this, the organization [email protected] announced a telephone conver- sation between the Director General of UNESCO, Irina Notes Bokova, and President Vladimir Putin of Russia during which 1 Al Quntar, S. & B.I. Daniels. 2016. they discussed the protection ‘Responses to the Destruction of Syrian Cultural Heritage: A Critical Review of and preservation of the cultural Current Efforts’, International Journal heritage of Palmyra. Offering of Islamic Architecture 5(2):381-397. “full support for the restoration of 2 Meskell, L. 2010. ‘Conflict Heritage and Palmyra”, this diplomatic display Expert Failure’, in Labadi, S. & C. Long was underscored by the fact that (eds) 2010. Heritage and Globalisation. UNESCO openly collaborated London: Routledge, pp.192-201. with a foreign actor in an issue 3 Eakin, H. ‘Ancient Syrian Sites: A Different contextualized by an ongoing civil Story of Destruction’ (The New York war, making claims on behalf of Review of Books, 29 September 2016); tinyurl.com/syriansites (accessed a devastated nation. UNESCO’s 4 March 2018) statement came at a time when 4 ‘Special Report: The Recapture of Palmyra’; millions of Syrians were, and still www.asor-syrianheritage.org/4290-2 are, displaced as a consequence of (accessed 4 March 2018) the bloody conflict and the people 5 www.digitalarchaeology.org.uk/ The Arch of Triumph, Palmyra, Syria. Photo by author. of Palmyra continue to experience building-the-arch 32 Heritage expertise across Asia The Focus

Bordering on The idea that cultural heritage is increasingly under threat has ushered in a new era for heritage expertise. One example where various regimes of heritage expertise converge is at the criminal the site of the destroyed Bamyan Buddhas in Afghanistan. Clashes between these conflicting realms of expertise have A clash of expertise in Bamyan, resulted in a ‘stalemate’ over the future of preservation work at the eastern Buddha and affected how local groups Afghanistan understand and relate to the site. As the preservation of damaged heritage is increasingly mobilised as a feature of international post conflict reconstruction programmes, Constance Wyndham this scenario asks questions about the role of experts and expert knowledge in such heritage interventions.

Heritage ‘at risk’ and expertise While the destruction of the Bamyan Buddhas by the Taliban in 2001 was treated as a new phenomenon, cultural property has often been subject to intentional acts of destruction and iconoclasm. Indeed, ‘heritage’ and destruction are deeply intertwined because damage to the material and immaterial past often inspires heritage designation.1 A common response from heritage agencies and professionals to the destruction of the Buddhas was to organise awareness raising initiatives and academic conferences aimed at mitigating threat to heritage. However, asserting such conventions and mechanisms for protecting heritage, which are common in the aftermath of such spectacular attacks, empower the idea that heritage is increasingly endangered which, in turn, provides legitimacy to the construction of specific forms of preservation knowledge, agendas, and policies.2 The notion that heritage is under threat gives power to a dominant global approach to heritage preservation that results from an ‘Authorised Heritage Discourse’ (AHD),3 a hegemonic discourse that promotes an idea of heritage as monumental, material and The Bamyan Valley showing the two Buddha niches. Photo by Bert Praxenthaler. permanent, and something to be cared for by trained ‘experts’.4 Here, I will outline how the significant amount of international heritage Research, Italian firm RODIO, Aachen during my field research in the valley Afghans What followed reveals a difference expertise attracted to the preservation University, Munich Technical University continually expressed a desire to reconstruct in agenda and a lack of communication challenges of the Buddha niches – a high and ICOMOS Germany. at least one of the Buddhas in some shape or between the two giants of international profile site that is still perceived to be at risk Since 2002, under the umbrella of UNESCO, form. However, the international ‘experts’ seem heritage policy and practice. In 2013, experts – affects how local groups understand and experts from these heritage agencies and split between two camps over the future of from ICOMOS Germany were contracted by relate to this heritage site. organisations have implemented a highly the niches: the group of experts from ICOMOS UNESCO to build a platform to structurally technical programme of conservation, largely Germany based at the Munich Technical consolidate the rear face of the Eastern funded by the Japanese Ministry of Foreign University, led by ex ICOMOS President Buddha and protect the public from falling The authority of experts Affairs. The focus has been on surveying, Michael Petzet, recommend anastylosis, rocks. During their work at the site to The Buddha niches are part of the measuring and logging of data relating to a method of reconstruction that involves build this platform, ICOMOS consultants designated ‘Cultural Landscape and Arch- the niches and the surviving fragments from reassembling and restoring the many boulders fashioned two structural supports to the aeological Remains of the Bamyan Valley’ the blasts, and stabilising the niches of both and fragments to their original positions eastern Buddha niche that were constructed inscribed on the United Nations Educational the eastern and western Buddha. Hundreds on the monument, possibly with the use of with iron rods, reinforced concrete and bricks. Scientific and Cultural Organization of fragments with a recognisable sculpted a foundational structure as support, while As the work progressed, these half-built (UNESCO) World Heritage List and World surface have been recovered, numbered Japanese donors pillars, which stuck Heritage in Danger List in 2003, two years and documented, and are currently housed and consultants out at the bottom after their destruction by the Taliban. Due to in temporary buildings constructed at the and UNESCO “[...] carrying out work of the niche began this designation, any conservation work on foot of each niche. Japanese conservators largely advocate to resemble the the niches must comply with the Operational and archaeologists have undertaken an for the niches to that was “bordering on the Buddhas destroyed Guidelines of the Convention Concerning adjunct programme of laser scanning the be stabilised but feet. ICOMOS the Protection of the World Cultural and extensive network of caves and conservation remain empty. criminal”, “wrong on every consultants maintain Natural Heritage of 1972 (also known as the of the remains of the mural paintings. The One supporting level” and taking place they were merely World Heritage Convention) and preserve ‘safeguarding’ project has so far received argument here is following UNESCO’s the Outstanding Universal Value of the site. US $6,345,807 of funding.5 To date, these that the niches were without their knowledge instructions From the beginning, the conservation efforts interventions at the niches have been inscribed on the and constructing at this site have been concerned with the technical with an emphasis on the role of World Heritage List or permission.” a protective platform management of international expertise. the international expert or consultant who after the destruction to improve access In Munich in November 2002 the ‘Bamiyan visits Bamyan for short periods, rather than of the Buddhas, to the site. However, Expert Work Group’ (BEWG) was formed longer-term investments focused on either therefore any change to the integrity of UNESCO understood the appendages as by UNESCO and the National Committee understanding local regimes of heritage the site as it has been inscribed would be an opportunistic attempt by ICOMOS of Germany of the International Council on value, or on training for Afghan conservators considered to detract from its authenticity. to reconstruct the eastern Buddha’s feet Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS Germany). or engineers. At the 10th BEWG meeting, which took as a means of instigating its preferred Since 2002, this group has met approximately place in Tokyo in 2011, it was announced conservation strategy of anastylosis, every 18 months in a different city around that neither Buddha statue was to be totally and was outraged at this apparent deliberate the world (although only once in Afghanistan A conflict of expertise reconstructed. This determination was flouting of World Heritage conservation in 2005), to debate and discuss plans for In July 2002, upon the arrival of the first followed by a recommendation from the doctrine. In an article by The Art Newspaper the future of the Bamyan valleys’ heritage. ICOMOS Germany mission to the valley, the Expert Working Group that the large western from February 2014, a consultant architect A small number of Afghans are included governor of Bamyan province expressed his niche be left empty “as a testimony to the for UNESCO accused ICOMOS Germany at each meeting while the majority of the urgent wish to ‘reconstruct’ the Buddhas.6 tragic act of destruction” while a study is of carrying out work that was “bordering group consists of international experts from While reconstruction, without the correct undertaken to see if a “partial reassembling on the criminal”, “wrong on every level” UNESCO, the Japanese National Research documenting evidence, is not permissible of fragments of the eastern Buddha could be and taking place without their knowledge Institute for Cultural Properties, the Italian under paragraph 86 of the World Heritage an option”. Afghan local, national government or permission. As a response, in July 2014, Institute for Protection and Environmental guidelines and its principle of authenticity, and Bamyan residents were disappointed. UNESCO terminated ICOMOS Germany’s The Newsletter No. 80 Summer 2018 Heritage expertise across Asia 33 The Focus

Cooperation (SAARC), an initiative aimed at promoting trade and regional economic development. Visiting filmmakers from China sponsored a 3D laser projection of images of a life sized Buddha into the niche of the western Buddha at night as part of the festivities, using a huge projector transported from Kabul. The principal Buddha hologram projected into the niche was one of a totally different Buddha, which has no direct relationship to Bamyan but rather resembles a statue of a generic Gandharan Buddha from southern Afghanistan or Pakistan, enlarged to fill the niche. The niche of the western Buddha, which had been occupied by a vast scaffolding and closed off to locals throughout the long years of preservation efforts, was suddenly activated by this intervention. This popular event represents another use of the site by ‘non experts’ and is revealing as to the range of possible ‘authentic’ Bamyan Buddhas.

Will ‘revitalisation’ happen? Under pressure from an Afghan govern- ment keen to rebuild at the Buddhas, UNESCO organised the 14th Expert Working Group Meeting in Tokyo in September 2017 for which proposals for the statues’ ‘revitalisation’ were sought. This call revealed the hierarchies of knowledge inherent in such meetings: in an accompanying document, Afghan participants are referred to as ‘Afghan authorities’ and international consultants as ‘international experts’. The partially rebuilt ‘feet’ have been a catalyst for several local movements that support reconstruction of the statues. For example, Shukria Neda, an Afghan civil society activist that currently lives in Bamyan, launched a pioneering campaign to collect two Afghanis from local residents (four US cents), with the aim of collecting enough to pay for the reconstruction work. However, at the meeting itself, some forms of authority and expertise were deemed more acceptable than others and Shukria Neda was excluded from speaking in the main public symposium where the international proposals from Japan, Germany and Italy were discussed. These international proposals included a range of propositions for the future of the valley: ongoing work on the remaining fragments; a lapidarium of fragments; a rammed earth Buddha; a marble Buddha; and, a plastic Buddha situated on the cliff opposite the niches. The recommendations that followed the Expert Working Group meeting in Tokyo advocate for “the establishment of a working committee for reviewing proposals for the Bamyan Buddha statues”. As negotiations for the future authenticity of the site continue, it remains to be seen what role local expertise and civil society will play in authenticating reconstruction.

Constance Wyndham University College The eastern Buddha with the ‘feet’ concealed behind plastic sheeting in 2015. Author’s photograph. London Institute of Archaeology [email protected] contract to work in Bamyan, accusing the However, this deadlock had an interesting of the valley’s heritage as they understand organisation of making new constructions effect locally. Interviews that I conducted international agencies and experts as having that threatened the Outstanding Universal as part of my field research with members control: “it is a World Heritage site – we don’t Notes Value of the site. of the local community in the valley during have a role” explained one informant. Since the debacle, the Japanese govern- 2015 suggested that ICOMOS’s construction However, several recent local initiatives 1 Holtorf, C. 2006. ‘Can less be more? Heritage in the age of terrorism’, ment has withdrawn funding support and of the ‘feet’ or structural platform was reveal interesting counterpoints to UNESCO’s Public Archaeology 5:101-109. two independent international heritage exactly what the majority of local residents expert led interventions at the Buddha niches 2 Vidal, F. & Dias, N. (eds) 2016. consultants were sent to Bamyan to assess the expected, and that this incident was widely and their attached notions of authenticity. Endangerment, Biodiversity and Culture. situation at the eastern Buddha. These experts interpreted locally as the start of the much- One such happening is ‘One Night with Buddha’, Routledge. subsequently sent a report recommending that anticipated rebuilding of the Buddhas. an annual event organised by The Bamyan 3 Smith. L-J. 2006. Uses of Heritage. the ‘feet’ be carefully removed, a solution that Interestingly, local groups do not seem to Tourism Association to commemorate the Routledge. is not possible due to local sensitivities around perceive the differences between the various destruction of the Buddhas. This ceremony 4 Rico, T. 2014. ‘The limits of a “heritage any further destruction at the site. Currently, international bodies who are seen instead takes place on 2nd of March, the date of the at risk” framework: The construction of the unfinished appendages stick out at the as interchangeable foreign experts. Several beginning of the statues’ destruction. Students post-disaster cultural heritage in Banda bottom of the Buddha, partially covered by residents expressed disappointment that the and younger residents of Bamyan attend Aceh, Indonesia’, Journal of Social Archaeology 14(2):157-176. a brown plastic sheet that flaps in the wind ‘foreigners’ had started to rebuild the Buddhas the event, during which participants walk 5 Manhart, C. et al. 2014. ‘UNESCO’s around the ungainly ankle-like structures. and then stopped without undertaking any with candles around the site and read poetry. activities for the Safeguarding of This controversy, which was played out in the more activity at the site. While the Bamyan Expert Working Group Bamyan’, in C. Margottini (ed.) After international media, in which photographs of the So far, the processes of preservation recommended that the niche of the western the Destruction of Giant Buddha Statues supposed, and unfinished, ‘feet’ were included and clashes between conflicting realms of Buddha remain empty in order to bear witness in Bamiyan (Afghanistan) in 2001. for everyone to make their own judgment, international expertise at the Buddha niches to the Taliban’s act of destruction, ‘One Night Springer, p.65. demonstrates the power of the monument for have worked to largely sideline local systems with Buddha’ is a way for local groups to 6 In Michael Petzet’s account of ICOMOS international heritage organisations such as of heritage value and ideas of ownership at momentarily reclaim the site from international Germany’s activities in Bamiyan in July UNESCO and ICOMOS Germany to attract the site. This scenario illustrates the territorial heritage agencies and undertake acts 2002 the governor of Bamyan informs a team from ICOMOS on “the urgent publicity, leverage themselves and undermine manner in which international bodies persist of memorialisation and commemoration wish to reconstruct the Buddha”, each other’s work. Since this wrangle in 2013 in dealing with the Buddha niches while of their own. see: The Giant Buddhas of Bamiyan, between the two international organisations paying lip service to Afghan ownership and Another such event happened in 2015 when Safeguarding the Remains. Monuments there has been no further conservation work participation. One result is that local groups Bamyan was declared the first cultural capital and Sites series, No. XIX. Berlin, at the eastern Buddha. and individuals relinquish responsibility of the South Asian Association for Regional ICOMOS-Hendrik Bäßler, 2009, p.43. 34 Heritage expertise across Asia The Focus

Reclaiming cultural heritage after disasters in Indonesia

Cut Dewi While concerns in post-disaster heritage preservation are focused on the loss of known heritage assets, the erasure of destroyed heritage and the exclusion of emerging heritage by the hands of careless expertise is the biggest challenge in preservation that follows devastation caused by a natural disaster. Post-disaster reconstruction helps us understand not only what heritage is, but also the place of heritage and preservation traditions in post- disaster contexts. In my field research in Banda Aceh, Indonesia, I have observed destruction and loss of heritage value as a direct result of expert judgement, a process that suggests the deployment of a very narrow understanding of cultural heritage that results in systematic exclusions of local heritage forms.

The Baiturrahman Grand Mosque, Banda Aceh, Indonesia. Photo by author.

s it has been argued by critical 1945. Despite the end of the colonial rule in Some scholars have argued that this heritage advocates, an Authorised 1945, this policy was uncritically adopted social reconstruction is needed alongside A Heritage Discourse (AHD)1 has been in as heritage policy across an independent the physical reconstruction that is the focus operation since the European Enlightenment. Indonesia, with updates in 1995 and 2010, of post-disaster work. For example, in Banda In particular, this discourse posits that cultural setting forth heritage principles that are still Aceh, it has been argued that the social heritage is an object primarily understood to in use today. This appropriation, and the reconstruction of society does not stop after be at risk of destruction and loss. This AHD associated adoption and dissemination of a formal reconstruction projects come to an discourse and definition for cultural heritage universalizing and European discourse, have end (such as the five-year plan undertaken by is, in turn, shaped by the forms of authority since dictated standards for care of heritage the Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Board “The heritage sites and expertise that have been influential to the resources in this Southeast Asian nation. for Aceh and Nias (BRR).3 Still today, the heritage industry—in particular, architects, As a result, it has reinforced a tendency to survivors reconstruct their social and cultural affected by the tsunami archaeologists, historians, and art historians. overlook Indonesia’s heritage tradition in life through various means, which includes These disciplinary experts have been powerful the construction of its heritage policies. the construction of cultural heritage places.4 [...] have become actors who put forward through their work The main reason for the erasure of heritage an idea of what heritage is for ordinary in this particular context is primarily the places of remembering people and communities, and who have taken Understanding value way that authenticity is understood by a privileged position as stewards to look after The narrow definition of architectural heritage experts: the perceived and actual [and are] a reminder heritage and pass it on to future generations. heritage as an object that is old, monumental, age of a place or building is often mobilized to future generations The dominance of these forms of disciplinary and historical (as articulated in the AHD), has to exclude emergent forms of heritage after expertise, however, has obscured the social, invariably excluded many places and objects the disaster. In Indonesia, the age-limits of about the risks and cultural and political contexts and uses that which have been preserved in such a way heritage value are determined to be up to heritage may relate to. to reflect a continuity of cultural activities 50 years old, posing a challenge to the way likelihoods of recurring For example, in Indonesia, the AHD view of in the aftermath of a natural disaster. These that heritage debates and management expertise is reflected in the legacy of a Dutch buildings and places play important roles decisions are conducted in light of the tsunami tsunami events” heritage policy, Monumenten Ordinantie in supporting social reconstruction through reconstruction. The aftermath of the tsunami (1931), introduced during the Dutch colonial an articulation of traditions as part of con- in Banda Aceh saw the reorganization of era, from the late sixteenth century to tinuous processes of identity formation.2 heritage lists on account of different The Newsletter No. 80 Summer 2018 Heritage expertise across Asia 35 The Focus

understandings of value. On the one hand, the mosque), the 2004 tsunami and members different types of sites, after destruction, Notes debates emerged about the inclusion of of the community who disappeared during hurts in multiple ways. It is a process that tsunami sites as official forms of heritage. this catastrophe. The haul, the ceremony makes us consider the effects of applying 1 Smith, L. 2006. Uses of Heritage. On the other hand, heritage buildings remembering the death of Teungku dominant heritage definitions (such as AHD) Routledge. destroyed or affected by the tsunami were Dianjong, still takes place in this mosque to a disaster-prone area like Banda Aceh, 2 Daly, P. & Rahmayati, Y. 2012. ‘Cultural Heritage and Community Recovery removed from inventory lists that designate in a collaboration between the community which would effectively lose many of its in Post-Tsunami Aceh’, in P. Daly, heritage resources, resulting in the loss and his family. Yet the ceremony had to be heritage icons on account of changes to their R.M. Feener & A. Reid (eds) From the of government funding and support for halted for several years until the mosque authenticity. While at the same time, new Ground Up: Perspective on Post-Tsunami their maintenance. was properly re-built in 2008. For the local sites of potential heritage value constructed and Post-Conflict Aceh. Singapore: For example, the Badan Pelestarian Cagar community, the tsunami sites have as much after the disaster are a long way from being ISEAS Publishing. Budaya (BPCB, the Conservation Board for heritage value as the mosque, and they recognized as having heritage value. 3 Samuels, A. 2010. ‘Remaking Tangible Heritage) withdrew support and have therefore expressed a desire to reclaim In my work, I suggest that a country like Neighbourhoods in Banda Aceh: funding for the Teungku Dianjong Mosque them and have them acknowledged as such. Indonesia should advocate for alternative Post-tsunami Reconstruction of Everyday in Banda Aceh, on account of issues with its The rebuilding of places, especially mosques, ways of looking at heritage not just on Life’, in M. Clarke, I. Fanany & S. Kenny (eds) Post-Disaster Reconstruction: authenticity. The mosque has been destroyed serves an important role in Islamic society and account of resisting AHD understandings Lessons Learn from Aceh. London: and reconstructed several times in the same is a process that, I would argue, is imperative of heritage value as alien and foreign to Earthscan, Ltd. style featuring a three-tiered roof, but using to the construction of survivor identity and Indonesian heritage traditions, but also 4 Rico, T. 2016. Constructing Destruction: different materials—from a wooden structure to cultural resilience. In the face of the disaster, in consideration of societies that may be Heritage narratives in the tsunami city. bricks and concrete. This heritage organization rebuilding a historical mosque is considered more prone to rapid change—as is the case Routledge. invoked Act #11 of 2010 regarding Cultural heritage-making in its most authentic form. of communities across Indonesia that are 5 Dewi, C. 2015. ‘Iconic Architectural Properties, which mandates a strict code of vulnerable to natural disasters. It has been Heritage: Its Memory and Conservation authenticity in relation to the preservation argued that Indonesian heritage traditions in Post-Disaster Context’, unpublished of original materials in heritage buildings. Healing and social pay more attention to non-material aspects PhD Thesis at the Australian National What has been clear in post-tsunami heritage of sites and buildings, promoting instead University. reconstruction 6 Dewi, C. 2017. ‘Rethinking architectural debates amongst heritage organizations authenticity of meaning, ritual, and spiritual heritage conservation in post-disaster in Indonesia is that the authenticity of the The heritage sites affected by the activities. In this sense, the acknowledgement context’, International Journal of Heritage material and style of a heritage remains the tsunami, in this sense, have become places that there is a non-Western movement of Studies 23(6):587-600. main parameter for acknowledging heritage of remembering and commemoration not only heritage management now needs recognition value from the perspective of experts. in relation to the past tsunami disaster, but from different experts involved in heritage My PhD research from 2011 to 2015 also as a reminder to future generations about management in Indonesia, especially revealed that, for the community, this the risks and likelihoods of recurring tsunami architectural conservationists, who have particular mosque still holds the same events. In this way, heritage sites can become the ability to be involved and advocate for authentic significance as a mosque even not only a repository of community values alternative ways of looking at heritage. though the physical fabric has changed.5 Its and collective memories, but also provide the use-value is also intact, used spiritually for opportunity to engage in processes of post- Cut Dewi Lecturer at the Department prayers especially during the wet season, traumatic healing and social reconstruction; of Architecture, Syiah Kuala University; and also socially as a place of remembering rather than the physical aspects which might and researcher at PPISB (Centre for the past, especially the past related to fade.6 In consideration of these processes, Cultural and Social Studies), Banda Aceh, Teungku Dianjong (the figure who founded the revocation of a heritage status for Indonesia [email protected]

Peulanggahan (Teungku Dianjong) Mosque, Banda Aceh, Indonesia. Photo by Author. 36 Heritage expertise across Asia The Focus

Heritage making after the earthquake Safeguarding the intangible heritage of the Qiang people in China

Qiaoyun Zhang After the 8.0-magnitude Wenchuan earthquake in 2008, the Chinese State set about to safeguard the intangible cultural heritage (ICH) as a part of their efforts to support the ethnic Qiang people and their cultural life.1 The Qiang were hit hard, with more than 80 percent of their population living across severely affected areas. The Chinese government led swift and comprehensive relief efforts, placing a particular emphasis on recovering the Qiang culture. The inscription of selected Qiang cultural practices as national ICH, as well as the rescue and promotion of the newly-nominated ICH, became a major part of the post-earthquake heritage recovery plan.

oon after the disaster, four Qiang cultural the local governments since then. Thanks safeguarding campaign in the early 2000s. practices (Qiang Sheepskin Drum Dance, to these initiatives, local industry has been The Chinese ICH safeguarding campaign SQiang Embroidery Skills, Qiang New Year, rebuilt and transformed mainly through an therefore transformed the status, significance, and Qiang Polyphonic Singing) were included emerging heritage tourism. At the local level, and even the practices of the heritagized on the Representative List of Intangible Cultural these newly-heritagized cultural practices cultural traditions in Qiang. The campaign Heritage of China, becoming the first time that have thrived in many Qiang villages where also changed how the Chinese general public a large number of ICH of such a small ethnic associated practices such as worship, healing, perceive and interact with such items. group were added to the national list at once. exorcism, dance rituals, as well as embroidery In 2009, the Qiang New Year was inscribed and watchtower construction skills, were on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage given space and resources to continue to Challenges for in Need of Urgent Safeguarding sponsored be practiced. by the United Nations Educational Scientific This heritagization—which emerged as a ICH safeguarding and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). matter of urgent safeguarding needs—should What I refer to as the ICH knowledge- With such an unusually fast inscription of be seen as a State and scholarly-led process. making process in China includes the the Qiang ICH into the Chinese national and Selected Chinese scholars worked closely with following three aspects. First, sponsored by UNESCO lists, there was considerable state the PRC Ministry of Culture and local culture the central government, the ICH safeguarding funding and governmental planning invested and sports bureaus in order to interpret, campaign has grown to be a major means to in the rescue and promotion of Qiang ICH promote, and regulate the implementation of protect and celebrate traditional and ethnic A Qiang Shibi and A Qiang Sheepskin and their stewards. For instance, annual ICH safeguarding measures. Such scholar and cultural practices as national treasures in Drum Dance Master performing at a government-sponsored Qiang New Year celebrations of the Qiang New Year have been State collaborations have been established China. ICH is a nascent yet politically ener- celebration. Photo by author. held in the Qiang concentrated counties by since the beginning of the Chinese ICH gizing concept in contemporary Chinese The Newsletter No. 80 Summer 2018 Heritage expertise across Asia 37 The Focus

campaigns for cultural heritage protection and promotion. When introduced to the Chinese public in the early 2000s, intangible heritage was seen as a morphologically and culturally alien concept. Nevertheless, China is now the country hosting the largest number of elements on the UNESCO-recognized Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The Chinese Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage now includes almost 1300 elements. Second, the heritagization of folk rituals is a process of knowledge production and identity transformation in which the folk ritual is officially reinterpreted and upheld as national heritage. Adopting and adapting UNESCO’s discourse on ICH, the campaign grants heritage status to what was previously considered to be private, old, local, and once denigrated cultural practices, allowing these to enter the public and collective Chinese cultural life. Described as ‘feudal superstition’ and officially banned or condemned in the past, some of the now-celebrated ICH items were long despised for contributing little importance to Chinese culture in aesthetic, intellectual, or social terms. In this context, the heritagization that took place is a culturalizing process that integrates ‘backward’ and ‘superstitious’ practices into new and promising “cultural categories”.2 The culturalizing process recognizes and represents the folk rituals’ political viability, scientific validity, educational utility, and social positivity, essential for the nationalist construction of a modernizing multi-ethnic China. The making of the Qiang New Year as national ICH is a case in point: this Qiang worship ritual is reinterpreted as an occasion for the Qiang to express “respect and admiration to all spirits, the motherland, and the ancestors”,3 to “promote ethnic unity and harmony”,4 to be educated about civilized conducts, as well as to celebrate the ‘positive energy’ (zheng nengliang 正能量) embedded in the officially-acclaimed ‘miraculous reconstruction’ after the earthquake. Last, but not least, along with the state- led ICH safeguarding campaign, the local stakeholders’ perceptions and performances of their own traditional cultural practices have been transformed. In large part, this is because heritagized practices are now articulated within the terms of ‘multivocality’ —that is, where a folk ritual is used to display multiple diverse voices and meanings when presented to different audiences and performed by varied practitioners.5 A bird's-eye view of the reconstructed Qiang village. Photo by author. The protection awarded by ICH designation provided new resources and opportunities for the folk rituals to survive. Admittedly, practices into showcases for state power performances, preferring to create special Notes the promotion of the Qiang ICH led to the and nationalist agendas. In the events rituals just for tourism events, while retaining development of both performative and sacred that unfolded as part of urgent heritage- the authentic practice for its sacred purposes. 1 The Qiang people are one of the 55 aspects of these rituals. Villagers safely and safeguarding planning, the viewpoints and In addition, there was a lack of sustainable officially recognized ethnic minorities creatively took advantage of the preeminence expectations of the Qiang ICH stakeholders planning or funding strategies involved. The in the People’s Republic of China (PRC). They have a comparatively small of ritual practices, such as the continuation and ordinary villagers were marginalized. emergent Qiang ICH preservation campaign population of 300,000 and have long of the New Year celebration and shibi I argue that their right to define their own seemed to come to an end along with the been economically, politically, and rituals in funerals and house construction, cultural practices in their own terms as well completion of the State-led reconstruction culturally marginalized. to fulfill their responsibilities and reinforce as employ agency in the way that they would projects in 2011. My research in the affected 2 Gao, B. 2014. ‘How Does Superstition social relations (Shibi have preferred to Qiang communities shows that very little long- Become Intangible Cultural Heritage are the Qiang ritual protect such practices term effort was devoted to the transmission of in Postsocialist China?’ Positions 22 specialists who monitor “Heritagized practices were disregarded. these ICH within local communities when the (3):551-72. major Qiang rituals at Local community media and scholarly attention on the Qiang 3 ICH China. 2013. ‘Qiang Nian 羌年’ funerals, weddings, members and scholars faded away. This contrast leads to two main [Qiang New Year Festival]. are now articulated http://www.ihchina.cn/4/10460.html and Qiang New Year). alike have also been issues surrounding the newly-heritagized (accessed 7 Feb 2018). Such responsibilities within the terms of concerned with the cultural practices. On the one hand, the lack 4 ICH China. 2013. ‘Daizu Poshuijie and relations form the influence of tourism of funding or cultural preservation planning 傣族泼水节’ [Dai Water-splashing Festival]. backbone of everyday ‘multivocality’.” and a market economy may prompt villagers to participate more in http://www.ihchina.cn/5/11073.html community life, which in on the transmission for-profit performance of their traditions, (accessed 7 Feb 2018). turn provides socially- of these ICH practices. misrepresenting the social and cultural 5 McDowell, J.H. 2010. ‘Rethinking accepted meanings and artifacts of the For example, the celebration of the Qiang meanings of these practices and essentializing Folklorization in Ecuador: Multivocality manifestation of cultural heritage. At the New Year, or the practices and skills involved and further marginalizing rituals and the in the Expressive Contact Zone’, same time, the local Qiang added new in traditional embroidery, were mobilized Qiang. On the other hand, the short-lived Western Folklore 69:181-209. meaning and function to the heritage cultural as commodities for tourism consumption.6 preservation campaign failed to preserve, 6 Le Mentec, K. & Zhang, Q. 2017. ‘Heritagization of disaster ruins and practices. For example, after the earthquake Many stewards of the Qiang New Year, and sometimes even destroyed, the socio- ethnic culture in China: Recovery plans shibi were frequently asked to perform the Qiang Sheepskin Drum Dance, and Qiang ecological context surrounding the tradition after the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake’, ‘sending the red’ ritual to bless villagers’ Embroidery Skills became representatives — especially the human-environmental and China Information 31(3):349-370. new cars, in which specialists place a piece not only for the noted cultural practices, but inter-personal relations involved — in which 7 Zhang, Q. & Barrios, R.E. 2017. ‘Imagining of ‘blessed’ red cloth under the windshield also for Qiang earthquake victims. They were such practices originate and develop.7 Culture: The Politics of Culturally Sensitive of the vehicle. In the past, shibi would only popularly invited to perform their skills and Although there were cases in which individual Reconstruction and Resilience-building perform such a ritual when worshiping techniques at various events to demonstrate villagers re-discovered values through these in Post-Wenchuan Earthquake China’, the spirits. the survival of endangered practices as well practices, culturally insensitive safeguarding in Companion, M. & Chaiken, M. (eds) as the resilience of the Qiang population as a programs may cause ICH items to lose their Responses to Disasters and Climate Change: Understanding Vulnerability whole. However, increasingly the Qiang shibi attachment to community values, reducing Discussion and Fostering Resilience. CRC Press, were accused by villagers of performing ‘fake’ their liveliness and relevance. pp.93-102. My long-term field research for this case and out-of-context rituals for the sole purpose study, since 2012, cautions against ignoring of entertaining tourists at the expense of Qiaoyun Zhang Affiliated Fellow the politics of interpretation and safeguarding engaging in blasphemy of spirits or ancestors. at International Institute for Asian that may alienate local practices from local Shibi and their apprentices expressed similar Studies, Leiden, the Netherlands communities, turning the ICH inscribed concerns with offending the spirits in such (see p.55 of this issue) [email protected] 38 Heritage expertise across Asia The Focus

The relief of the 1865 discovery of hidden Christians in the Ōura Cathedral, Nagasaki. Courtesy of Minimi-shimabara City, Nagasaki.

A critical review of Catholic heritage sites in Nagasaki, Japan

Tomoe Otsuki In July 2016, the Japanese government nominated a group of Catholic heritage sites in the Nagasaki region to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s (UNESCO) World Heritage Committee for inclusion in the World Heritage List. This nomination comprises a collection of 12 sites that tell the story of the 250-year prohibition of the practice of Christian faith between the 17th and 19th centuries in Japan. The process of shaping what constitutes Catholic heritage in Nagasaki calls for an examination of the history, legacy and local knowledge that have been excluded from the official discourse that has accompanied this heritage.

his essay explores how the discourse Christians’. In this essay, I refer to them as Nagasaki Prefecture as potential candidates of Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) ‘underground Catholics’ to be consistent with for World Heritage nomination. The members Tthat has been used to support this the historical background of this period, in of the Church Group believed that these nomination has shifted as different actors which no missionaries from the other branches churches illustrated the “livingness” of the have become involved in the process of World of Christianity, such as Protestantism, entered region’s Catholic heritage, being sites where Heritage-making. In particular, I examine Japan.1 Many of the underground Catholics local Catholic communities have maintained the role of the advisory body to UNESCO, were accused of heresy, while others refused their religious values and ensured the the International Council on Monuments and to renounce their faith even in the face of continuity of their cultural tradition developed Sites (ICOMOS), in defining the significance exile, torture and death.2 over a period of 450 years. They claimed of history of Japanese Catholicism used In the mid-19th century, Japan finally that this living aspect of these churches to justify the status of the proposed sites as lifted its 250-year policy of closure to foreign constituted OUV.3 World Heritage in light of the introduction countries and opened a few ports to the Their campaign was successful. In January of the history of ‘hidden Christians’ to an outside world, one of which was in Nagasaki. 2007, Nagasaki’s Catholic churches were international audience. The first Catholic church was erected in registered in the UNESCO Tentative List for Nagasaki after the ban on Christianity was Japan, marking the intention to pursue a lifted, but it was opened solely for foreigners World Heritage List nomination; the sites were ‘Underground Catholics’ residing within Nagasaki. In March 1865, described as “testimonies of the suppressed in Nagasaki and the World however, a small group of underground adherents’ re-acquisition of religious freedom Catholics secretly entered the church and and its long process”.4 In November 2007, Heritage Campaign asked a French priest, “Where is the statue the Prefectural Government of Nagasaki The Nagasaki region of Japan used to be of Santa Maria?” They then whispered: created a working group called the ‘Nagasaki the religious centre for Japanese Catholics “All of us have the same heart as you.” This World Heritage Scholarly Conference’ and European missionaries during the encounter led to the discovery of roughly (NWHSC) as an official body to discuss the 16th century, as the region served as Japan’s 15,000 underground Catholics across the preservation campaign strategies for Catholic gateway for the exchange of knowledge, Nagasaki region. heritage sites and to write an application for technology and culture with foreign countries. Advocates for the preservation of Catholic nomination to the UNESCO World Heritage However, as the number of Japanese heritage sites believe that a collection of List. The NWHSC comprises members from subjects and lords converting to Catholicism Catholic historical sites can tell this rich and both the public and private sectors, such The Tabira Cathedral, one of the sites excluded from increased, feudal authorities perceived unique history of Japanese Catholicism in as Nagasaki Catholic leaders, scholars, the final application to the World Heritage Committee. © Creative Commons on Wikipedia. Christianity to be a threat to their ruling power Nagasaki spanning a period of four centuries. business leaders and civil servants. Gradually, and banned Christianity in the year 1612. The campaign for designating Nagasaki’s the role of primary agent and stakeholder During the period of Christian prohibition, Catholic churches and heritage sites as in the heritage campaign for these sites rulers converted to Catholicism during the all European missionaries were expelled from World Heritage was initially launched by was shifted from the Church Group to the 16th century; four villages where underground the country, while many Japanese Catholics a citizen group called ‘To Declare a New NWHSC. Between 2007 and 2012, the NWHSC Catholics concealed themselves during the went underground to escape persecution, World Heritage: The Nagasaki Church repeatedly reviewed the components of the period of Christian prohibition; and eight hiding in remote areas in the Nagasaki region. Group’ (hereafter ‘the Church Group’) in sites. Eventually, it listed 14 Catholic heritage Catholic churches that were built after the These Catholics, who disguised themselves 2001. The group was composed of local sites and named the multi-site assemblage end of Christian prohibition. The NWHSC by publicly practicing Shinto/Buddhism while Catholics, scholars and non-Christian the ‘Christian Churches and Heritage Sites in presented this heritage collection as sites secretly maintaining their faith, are referred citizens. This citizen group identified Nagasaki’.5 The proposed heritage complex of exchange and communication of traditional to as ‘underground Christians’ or ‘hidden 49 Catholic churches throughout the consisted of the remains of two castles whose cultures between Japan and the West. The Newsletter No. 80 Summer 2018 Heritage expertise across Asia 39 The Focus

ICOMOS intervention essence of Christianity”,6 adding that what they themselves had practiced for 250 persecution, European missionaries had the property shows “the distinctive way in years. Following the Roman Catholic Church ordered Japanese Catholics to persecute in Nagasaki which the hidden Christians continued their also meant that they had to dismiss all the non-Catholics, including Buddhist monks and In January 2015, Japan recommended faith during the ban on Christianity” and traditions that their ancestors had developed Shinto priests, and to burn down temples and the inscription of Catholic heritage sites to the therefore has OUV. In July 2016, the Japanese and handed down through generations. shrines in order to propagate Catholicism UNESCO World Heritage List. In September government nominated the Catholic heritage As a result, many of the former underground during the 16th century.11 Yet this significant of that year, a group of experts from ICOMOS sites to UNESCO’s World Heritage List. The Catholics decided to live as ‘hidden part of history is now completely excluded came to Nagasaki to assess the application final decision for a permanent registration Christians’ and continued to keep themselves from the official discourse of Catholic and the heritage property. In February 2016, is to be made in July 2018. isolated from mainstream society and the heritage in Nagasaki on account of the type ICOMOS recommended that the Japanese The intervention by ICOMOS experts Catholic Church in Nagasaki in order to of sites and narratives that were selected government dramatically review its application, played an important role in efforts to shed ensure the continuation of their own religious to represent and justify this nomination. asking that the application focus on the period light on the history of underground Catholics. values and traditions.7 They did not identify The official representation of underground of the ban on Christianity in Japan, which The period of Catholic persecution has never themselves as Catholics anymore and did Catholics as it stands authenticates their experts considered a period of exceptional been a part of Japanese national history not build a Catholic church. Equally important history and practices for an international significance in Nagasaki, rather than on the and very few people in Japan know that is the fact that hidden Christian communities audience; however, a romanticized image period that followed after the ban was lifted. approximately 4,000 underground Catholics still exist in the contemporary period. of underground Catholics that excludes the In April 2016, the NWHSC invited ICOMOS became martyrs, while thousands of other However, they are virtually disappearing periods before and after their persecution to Nagasaki in order to refine its application. Catholics were sent into exile. After the as their communities are aging and can undermine the truly significant elements ICOMOS maintained its previous advice, telling official nomination to UNESCO, it became depopulating, and no official conservation of their history, which invokes tremendous the NWHSC to exclude sites that were not clear that no Japanese heritage stakeholders, measures have been provided by the central sacrifice and tolerance. relevant to the Christian ban. ICOMOS also including the local and national media, had government to preserve their traditions.8 advised the NWHSC to include the term ‘hidden ever considered the question of how people Christians’ in the title of the heritage property. in Japan might come to terms with this Conclusion In the new version of the application to forgotten or marginalized history. ICOMOS Disrupting continuity This case study raises the issue of how the World Heritage List, the property consists also contributed to honouring underground In my research, I am concerned local voices and ethnographic knowledge of 12 sites, 10 of which are villages where Catholics by representing this population with revealing knowledge gaps between of Japanese Catholicism Christianity are underground Catholics used to live, including to an international audience as courageous, ICOMOS experts’ understanding of hidden used—or in this case, excluded—from the one of the villages located in the Amakusa faithful Japanese Catholics who developed Christians and local knowledge. There are process of defining the Outstanding Universal region in Kumamoto Prefecture. Nearly all a distinctive religious tradition. two museums devoted to underground and Value of a property. The final application has the churches selected by the Church Group However, some local scholars have hidden Christians in Hirado city,9 Nagasaki, betrayed the wishes of local Catholics for and the NWHSC—except the Ōura Cathedral, also argued that ICOMOS experts, as well which used to be the land of underground the conservation of their churches as living where underground Catholics revealed as members from the NWHSC, ignored Catholics and continues to house hidden heritage as the role of primary agent in the themselves to the French certain aspects of Christian communities. The archival and heritage campaign shifted from the Church priest in 1865—were local knowledge material collections in these museums as well Group to the NWHSC and ICOMOS. The eliminated from the final “[...] they witnessed regarding the as the curators’ historical and ethnographic nomination process of Nagasaki’s Catholic application. Instead, 7 underground Catholics knowledge are essential to understanding heritage sites has raised some crucial Catholic churches were how ignorance and in the designation of the history of Japanese Catholicism in the questions: How should heritage experts, added to the list as they boundaries for this region. However, none of the ICOMOS experts including ICOMOS, deal with religious are located in these 10 rejection of others’ nomination. First and visited these museums during their stay in heritage that implicates extremely delicate villages that housed faiths and values foremost, the final Hirado city or tried to learn the history of narratives and histories? How can local underground Catholics application obscures the hidden Christians from the local curators heritage-makers effectively communicate during the period of caused brutal violence.” prominent differences in these museums. Likewise, the NWHSC with ICOMOS experts? How can critical Christian prohibition. between ‘underground did not include any of these curators or heritage scholars advocate for the importance The Tabira Cathedral Christians’ (Senpuku ethnographers on their selection committee. of including local ethnographers and curators is one of the churches that were excluded from Kirishitan) and ‘hidden Christians’ (Kakure As a result, the NWHSC was incapable of in the process of heritage-making? Japan’s the final list in the very last selection process Kirishitan). ‘Hidden Christians’ is a more communicating to the foreign experts from nomination of Catholic heritage sites to from 2016 to 2017. After the end of banning common and popular term both in Japan and ICOMOS that ‘hidden Christians’ are living the UNESCO World Heritage List is only the Christianity, 8 families of former underground abroad to describe Japanese Catholics during communities in the present, and that isolating beginning of the exploration of the legacy of Catholics moved to a small village called the period of Christian prohibition; however, the history of underground Catholics from the Japanese underground Catholics and what ‘Tabira’ from different underground Catholics’ ‘underground Christians’ refers to those period after Christian prohibition would not their sacrifice can signify to humanity. villages and built a humble temporary who secretly maintained their faith during only contribute to the further marginalization church. Tabira continued to receive former the period of Christian persecution. Hence, of hidden Christians and the erasure of their Tomoe Otsuki Research Associate underground Catholics from other villages all Japanese Catholics during the period of rich history and particular cultural traditions, of the York Centre for Asian Research, in Nagasaki. They reclaimed wasteland and Christian prohibition should be referred to as but also disrupt the continuity between York University, Toronto, Canada finally built the Tabira Cathedral in 1918. The ‘underground Christians’. The term ‘hidden the period of Christian persecution and [email protected] cathedral was dedicated to the 26 martyrs Christians’ refers specifically to those who the present time. who were executed by crucifixion in Nagasaki decided not to belong to the Roman Catholic Shigeo Nakazono, an ethnographer and in 1597. ICOMOS, however, claimed that the Church, but rather continued to maintain a curator of the hidden Christian museum Notes Tabira Cathedral is irrelevant to the period of their own religious values and traditions in Hirado, claims that, as time passed, Christian banning as Tabira became a Catholic developed over 250 years of persecution underground Catholics genuinely sought 1 Protestantism was introduced to village after the end of the ban, ignoring even after the Japanese government lifted the ways of co-existing with Buddhism/Shintoism Japan in the early 1860s after the ban tremendous efforts and sacrifices the former ban on Christianity. Notably, the Japanese in order to keep their faith; not all the on Christianity had been lifted. underground Catholics made in order to trans- title of the heritage property employs the underground Catholics ‘disguised’ themselves 2 See Martin Scorsese’s 2016 film Silence, form the wasteland into the land of God. term ‘underground Christians’, whereas as Shinto/Buddhists.10 Nakazono argues that based on the 1966 novel Silence The final application to the World Heritage the term ‘hidden Christians’ remains in the the significance of the underground/hidden (Chinmoku) written by Japanese List is titled the ‘Hidden Christian Heritage English title of the property. Christians in Japanese society is their practice Catholic author Shūsaku Endō. Silence Sites in Nagasaki Prefecture and the When Catholicism was reintroduced in of embracing others’ religions in order to effectively depicts the history of Christian persecution and the tremendous suffering Amakusa Region’. The application describes Japan after the end of Christian prohibition, maintain their own—precisely because they of underground Catholics and captured how underground Catholics “gave rise to many of the underground Catholics were witnessed how ignorance and rejection European missionaries in the Nagasaki a distinctive religious tradition that was stunned by the significant differences of others’ faiths and values caused brutal region. seemingly vernacular yet maintained the between official Catholic teachings and violence. Prior to the period of Christian 3 Matsui K. 2013. Sacred Sites for Tourism Strategies: Nagasaki Churches and the Commodification of Place. Tokyo: Tsukuba-Daigaku Press. 4 http://whc.unesco.org/en/ tentativelists/5096 5 All the heritage properties were Catholic related sites. However, they were officially named ‘Christian Churches and Heritage Sites in Nagasaki’. 6 http://kirishitan.jp/values/val004 7 Nakazono S. 2015. What is ‘Hidden Christians’? [Kakure Kirishitan to wa Nanika] Genshobo: Fukuoka. 8 The local government of Hirado city, Nagasaki, has recently launched an oral history and documentary project to record the tradition of hidden Christians in the city. 9 One is Hirado Kirishitan Museum (https://tinyurl.com/hirashin) and the other is Hirado Ikitsuki Historical Museum Shima no Yakata (https://tinyurl.com/hirashin2). 10 ‘My Perspectives—Lack of Experts on Heritage in Nagasaki’, Nagasaki Press, 21 June 2016. 11 Anan, S. 2009. Study of Subjects of Discrimination in Nagasaki: Trade, Christianity and Buraku [Hisabetsuburakuno Nagasaki gaku: Boueki to kirishitan to hisabetsu-buraku]. Nagasaki: Centre for Nagasaki Human The Hara Castle Ruins, one of the sites included in the final application to the World Heritage Committee. Courtesy of Minami-shimabara City, Nagasaki. Rights Studies. 40 Heritage expertise across Asia The Focus

Reinterpretations at Fort Nassau in the Banda Islands, Indonesia

Joëlla van Donkersgoed Heritage sites are in a constant process of re-interpretation by a wide variety of actors and stakeholders. The act of attaching meaning to a site does not occur in a vacuum but is influenced by power dynamics within its broader social context. For example, emphasis on certain features of a site, at the expense of other features, can vary with each interpretation and each interpreter. Moreover, the meaning ascribed to a site by contemporary communities may be widely different from the intended meaning given by the society that constructed it. Because of this, heritage sites should be studied from a variety of angles that together shape the interpretation of the landscape in which the site exists.

project for Fort Nassau in 2014, which included their islands, and the reconstruction of Fort the removal of vegetation and the rebuilding Nassau is regarded as a positive investment of the collapsed and absent bastion walls. This towards this goal. The concern of the local government initiative can be seen as shaped population, however, is the way in which by a specific vision of tourism consumption: this is conducted. There is an overall sense a completed fort that aligns with the aesthetic of exclusion amongst the local communities of the VOC. In order to accomplish this, the during the process of reconstruction and there different life-phases of the fort, including is a fear that the reconstructed site will be its partial destruction and other historically an inauthentic replica. The fear is based on significant events, were disregarded. previous reconstructions that did not meet the Although there is an overall consensus expectations of the Bandanese; for example, a among the Bandanese that the restoration is a recent renovation of a colonial building by non- positive action for the fort, the project has not local investors opted for a new roof made of been received with merely positive responses. blue durable material rather than a traditional Firstly, plans to reconstruct the moat around roof. Some Bandanese described the modern View from the reconstructed bastion of Fort Nassau on Banda Neira. In this image the material used for the the fort were encountered with resistance appearance of this material as degrading the reconstruction of the bastion is clearly visible, as well as the fact that the residence is located in the trajectory by the local population who have inhabited historical feeling of the building and the area. of the next phase of reconstruction. Photo by Joëlla van Donkersgoed. that land for several decades and used the The use of material that differentiates visually area of the moat for the cultivation of crops. from the historical fabric is in this case a factor n my research on the current interpretations perken, plots of land that were to be governed Proposed preservation and rehabilitation that decreases the heritage value in the eyes of the cultural landscape of the Banda Islands by ex-VOC employees, called perkeniers, plans to reconstruct the entire structure would of the Bandanese. Iin Indonesia, I explore the interpretations of and labored by slaves. therefore involve the displacement of several The ongoing efforts in heritage manage- the historic site of Fort Nassau on the island Fort Nassau in Banda Neira is the first families. Secondly, there have been conflicting ment, including the addition of this site as of Banda Neira by diverse interest groups, permanent construction the Dutch built on the reactions to the reconstruction of the walls of a cultural landscape to the Tentative List of including local, national and international archipelago, leading to fierce resistance from the fort on two separate counts. On the one UNESCO, as well as the restoration initiatives agents. Through my work, I examine the the Bandanese noblemen. It is the location hand, the materials used in the reconstructed at Fort Nassau, suggest that there is increasing challenge of gathering insights into the where 44 noblemen, orang kaya, were publicly bastions differ from the material in the original interest in the heritage resources of the Banda different influences that define this particular quartered and decapitated during the Dutch stonework. Discontentment was voiced by Islands at multiple local and international site as a heritage site. Considering various conquest. The fort itself has since known several Bandanese in relation to this distinction, levels. This has attracted outside experts, heritage interpretations, which include both several uses, including its function as a prison who argued that the reconstructed parts of who are invited to ‘do something’ with the colonial narratives as well as the oral history of and a storage facility. However, it lost its the fort did not seem ‘original’ or as it is more heritage for the promotion and benefit of the the Bandanese people, I suggest that fixating military defensive function after it was severely frequently described in the field of heritage Bandanese people. These efforts are welcomed on a specific historical heritage deters the damaged by bombing during its capture by studies, that it is inauthentic. On the other by the local community as they recognize that ongoing (re)interpretation of sites to suit the the English in 1810. The inner court was then hand, the Bandanese have also voiced regrets tourism is a profitable source for seasonal needs of contemporary society. turned into a tennis court for the enjoyment that the construction work is conducted by work, and they are also proud to share the of the perkeniers families. In the 20th century, non-local workers, fueling the perception history and resources of the islands with this open area was re-used as the location for that the regional office does not trust the visitors. However, developments surrounding Banda Islands and Fort a radio station and antenna. These, in turn, craftsmanship of Bandanese construction the restoration efforts at Fort Nassau revealed became a target for Japanese bombs during workers. Overall, the Bandanese feel that that the local community does not feel directly Nassau: nutmeg and mace the attacks on the Banda Islands in World through this process of outsourcing the work, empowered through the current style of Until the mid-1800’s, the Banda Islands War II, which damaged the fort further. they have lost their ability to determine how the heritage management. There are various ways in Indonesia were the primary source location In ruins, the fort failed to regain a new function reconstruction of their site is being conducted. in which their involvement could be formalized for the sought-after spices nutmeg and mace. and vegetation took over the site. Bandanese Interestingly, while many post-colonial in these initiatives; for example, Bandanese As these goods were popular around the world, who live near and at the site reported that heritage debates question the contemporary construction workers could be employed rather traders from Asia and the Arabian Peninsula the structure became haunted, with sounds validity of preserving colonial structures than outsourcing the work to a company from travelled great distances to the region in order of the massacred men and the rattling of in territories that were once occupied, the Ambon; and the process of consulting the to obtain them. The first European traders their chains heard at night. development of a heritage industry in the community could include devising a plan to that engaged with people on the Banda Banda Islands suggests that heritage resources incorporate the reconstructed site into their Islands were the Portuguese in 1512, followed from the Dutch colonial era are not regarded daily social lives, giving the fort a function by the Dutch in 1599, and the English in 1601. From site of tragedy negatively by the Bandanese nor the other beyond tourism as a stage to hold cultural The Dutch East India Company (Vereenigde Indonesian stakeholders involved in these performances, a marketplace, an area for Oostindische Compagnie or VOC) was to site of tourism interpretations. Instead, these resources drying nutmeg, etc. This would stimulate the established in 1602 with the prime objective of Fort Nassau had seen multiple phases are valued as an opportunity to monetize site to accrue new social value and contribute maximizing profits by establishing monopolies of destruction and reinterpretation prior to a heritage through tourism and foster a sense to the larger cultural landscape that defines on certain trade goods—the remoteness of the the start of my research. When I first visited of pride in buildings that reflect the financial the Banda Islands as a potential World Banda Islands and their profitable resources the site, the Banda Islands at large had been successes made through the trade of Heritage List property. made this location an obvious target for the attracting interest from within and outside nutmeg historically. establishment of a monopoly on nutmeg Indonesia by organizations and individuals Joëlla van Donkersgoed and mace. However, the Bandanese were interested in the development of heritage PhD Candidate, Rutgers University not receptive to trading exclusively with the industries, due to its multi-cultural history and Processes of reinterpretation [email protected] Dutch, which would mean breaking other unique natural marine environment. Notably, Fort Nassau on Banda Neira is an long-established trade relations. The VOC sent through the patronage of a prominent local example of a Dutch colonial site that is being Jan Pieterszoon Coen to seize control of the family Des Alwi, foreign experts have been reinterpreted for contemporary uses. These Notes island, which he did through violent measures. involved in the preparatory work for the efforts are propelled by Indonesian president In particular, in 1621, a bloody confrontation nomination of the Banda Islands on the Jokowi’s wish to stimulate tourism as an 1 ‘The Historic and Marine Landscape known as the ‘Bandanese Massacre’ involved Tentative List for the World Heritage List of avenue to increase the GDP of Indonesia.2 of the Banda Islands’, UNESCO World Heritage Centre, 9 Feb 2017, not only the execution of 44 Bandanese the United Nations Educational Scientific and Efforts and resources towards the re- https://tinyurl.com/bandaislands 1 noblemen but also the persecution, deportation Cultural Organization (UNESCO). As a result of construction of this fort fit within this goal in 2 ‘Tourism Ministry Aims to Woo and starvation of an estimated 90% of the this general interest, the regional conservation order to attract more tourists to the Moluccan 13.5 Million Foreign Visitors next Year’, local population. After this violent conquest, office in Ternate, Balai Pelestarian Cagar province. The Bandanese seem to welcome The Jakarta Post, 14 June 2016, Jan Pieterszoon Coen divided the islands into Budaya (BPCB), initiated a reconstruction an increase in the number of tourists that visit https://tinyurl.com/woovisitors The Newsletter No. 80 Summer 2018 41 The Adspace

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Transoceanic Africa-Asia connections

Mahmood Kooria The Indian Ocean was not always the ‘Indian’ Ocean. It has also been an African Ocean known as the Zanj Ocean, Abyssinian Ocean, and Ethiopian Ocean. These names forgotten in popular imaginations as well as in academic scholarship represent a larger problem surrounding the maritime littoral: the neglected historical and contemporary role of Africans in this seascape and on its shores. Yet, in the last decade new studies have been appearing in the field, and the three books under present review represent this new trend.

​Reviewed titles

Malik Ambar: Africa in the Indian Africa in the Indian Power and Slavery Imagination: Race Ocean: Islands Across the Indian and the Politics of in Ebb and Flow

Ocean Postcolonial Citation Sellström, T. 2015 Ali, O.H. 2016 Burton, A. 2016 Leiden and Boston: Brill Oxford and New York: Durham and London: Oxford University Press Duke University Press

he ocean has historically been a the nuances of these linkages, yet the lion’s The three books under review slightly royal court. Under his tutelage, he learnt highway for large scale and long term share is focused on the interests of China move away from these trends in present “the ways of the court and state operations” Tflows of communities, commodities, and in Africa, mainly emphasising political and historiography, yet they are informed by (p.42). Following the assassination of his ideas, in which millions of people willingly economic negotiations and investments, and have emerged from the wider currents master in a royal plot, Ambar travelled or unwillingly travelled, traded, coerced, and but also social, cultural and demographic in the African and Asian connections and between different kingdoms in the Deccan commodified. Africa’s major collaborators implications. Given the recent ‘reappearance’ conflicts because and despite of the European region working for several commanders and have been the Asian communities before and of China after almost 600 years, this sudden colonial expansions. Omar H. Ali follows rulers. Over the course of time, he “increased after the European and American colonial/ boom in literature and discourse has created the life of Malik Ambar, an iconic figure his following across the western Deccan” imperial endeavours. Both Asia and Africa, an imbalanced academic orientation towards in the transoceanic and transcontinental by inheriting the army of his former the two major continents sharing the ocean’s the deep genealogies of transcontinental mobility of the 16th and 17th centuries, who commanders and harassing Mughal forces shores, have historically plotted their socio- exchanges and encounters between the two dramatically went from being a teenage slave and capturing their supply convoys. Utilising political, economic, and religious trajectories regions. The Indian Ocean often appears to a statesman and kingmaker; Antoinette this manpower, military and diplomatic under the direct influence of the ocean. only marginally as a memory scape of Burton focuses on gradations of race, gender skills, and marriage alliances, he rose to This review essay is mainly concerned with the historical past to be invoked when the and politics in the literature produced on prime minister of the Ahmednagar Sultanate this aspect: how did the Indian Ocean play, situation demands it. the Africa–India entanglements in the 20th where he controlled the enthronement and and how does it continue to play, a crucial Notwithstanding, the wider Asia-Africa century; and Tor Sellström foregrounds the dethronement of sultans, built up marvellous role in the memories of and studies on the discourse, several edited volumes, and African islands in the littoral as products cities and forts, and excelled in administration Afro-Asian interactions in the past and conference proceedings, have recognised and producers of the maritime sociocultural of law and order. the present. the role of the ocean in the transcontinental geography. These works together represent In between all the ups and downs of interactions. Two book series, for example, three major aspects of East and South Africa’s his life, Ali argues that Ambar depended on (published by Ohio University Press, edited predicaments with the maritime world: that of the life principle of namak halal or ‘true to The oceanic scape by Richard B. Allen; by Palgrave MacMillan, slavery and forced migrations, the depictions the salt’ — a concept and tradition of being edited by Gwyn Campbell) have published of Africans as an inferior racial category loyal to the master — in his services to the in Africa-Asia Studies volumes with an emphasis on African within the Indian (Ocean) literary contexts, Nizam Shah rulers, no matter who sat on In the past decade, there have been interactions with Asia through this littoral. and the islands as marginalised terrains in the throne. However, although true that he increasing attempts to identify these Within this field, one booming zone of geopolitical concerns of mainland countries, was loyal to the sultanate during several interactions between Asia and Africa, inside study is slavery in the Indian Ocean. be they in Africa or elsewhere. hardships, he also poisoned a ruler to death and outside the region. The major conferences The subfield explores nuances of other- when things did not go as he had planned; organised by the University of Goethe in wise unrecognised forced relocations of or more precisely, when the then Persian Kuala Lumpur (2014), Cape Town (2015) and Africans and Asians, from within different Phenomenal life queen called his daughter “a mere slave girl”, Frankfurt (2016) and by the International Asian-African regions to such faraway “concubine” and a “kaffir” (p.65). Ambar Institute for Asian Studies in Accra (2015) places as Australia.1 Some other common of an African slave poisoned both the queen and the king and and Dar es Salam (2018) are worth noting in themes, such as piracy, have also found Omar Ali’s study tells of the ways in replaced him with a five-year-old boy as the this regard. The latter’s first conference with significant scholarly attention, particularly which Africans were forced to leave their new sultan. Ambar served his interests more participants from 40 countries in 55 panels after the increase of Somali piracy in and homelands as slaves and travel thousands than that of the master(s) and the throne. resulted in the formation of a consortium around the 2010s. Several other individual of miles.2 Malik Ambar was such a slave, yet Ambar’s story has attracted the called the Association for Asian Studies in researches have explored the African a figure who resisted the Mughal expansion attention of several scholars in the last Africa, headquartered in Accra, and has involvement in the oceanic mobilities into the Deccan through his diplomatic skills century, but Ali ‘oceanises’ the story through identified and energised ‘Africa-Asia’ as a through intellectual, religious, and legal and military tactics (bargi-giri). For several comparative and connected histories. new field of study. Relatedly, there have been networks. The works on Islamic legal and decades in the late 16th and early 17th century He provides a vivid comparative description remarkable academic initiatives by Chinese, political encounters in the eighteenth to Ambar was the sole barrier for the Mughals to of Ethiopia, Iraq and India as backdrops for American, Indian, South African, Malaysian, the twentieth centuries have presented the Deccan. Born into and raised by an Oromo Ambar’s trails. Ambar’s later life has been Singaporean, and European institutions, fascinating African cases in the wake of tribe in the Ethiopian highlands, enslaved and well recorded, but the author accommodates not to mention the international diplomatic European colonial expansions. And, of exchanged in the slave markets of Africa and a ‘discursive strategy’ of contextualisation conventions for South–South collaborations course, the histories of European and the Middle East before ending up in South and imagination to fill the gaps in his early between postcolonial Asian and African Arab colonialisms in East and South Asia, Ambar travelled a long way in his life, life for which “documentary evidence is countries, starting with the Asia-Africa African terrains through enslavements, similar to many other thousands of Africans sparse” (p.135). Through this mechanism of Conference in Bandung in 1955 and stretching forced migrations, genocides, armaments, before and after him. In India, Malik Ambar interpretative connected historical reading, to its 60th anniversary conference re-hosted organised plunders, along with negligible was first sold in the Sultanate of Ahmednagar we get a detailed image of the lives and by Indonesia in 2015. All these efforts have tints of infrastructural developments, have to the chief minister Mirak Dabir aka Chengiz oceanic journeys of not just Ambar, but produced a significant amount of academic been subjects of serious studies through Khan, who himself was once a Habshi of also several other African slaves from projects to record, analyse, and advance the frameworks of the oceanic scape. slave and had risen to his position in the East and Central African regions.3 The Newsletter No. 80 Summer 2018 43 The Review

Asia sites/cites Africa and enliven African protagonists, plots (if not in the South African context of Naidoo), specificities, colonial and postcolonial By the mid-nineteenth century, the flow and places. Beyond these convolutions, the islands in the ocean do live with the economic and political transitions, diplomatic of slaves between the continents was reversed; gendered and sexualised solidarities emerge remnant bulks of Afro-Asian intermixtures and international engagements. For the now instead of slaves from African lands, across the racial boundaries. While the political with deep histories across centuries. Those purpose of this essay’s focus, what becomes the bounded and free labourers from mentoring by an African companion (Serete) aspects define present socio-economic, clear in his description of these islands is South Asia and beyond filled the ships as a for Indian brothers (Srenika and Krishandutt) religious and political realms of the island the ways in which the oceanic mobilities in pivotal workforce for European plantations, in Singh’s novel “confirms the possibility of nations in different ways, be it in Madagascar, precolonial and colonial periods dramatically colonial bureaucracies, and infrastructure cross-racial brotherhood”(p.45), Srenika’s Comoros or any other islands in the area. influenced the demographics, cultures and developments in Africa. In the colonial period wife Yagesvari and the family maidservant Sellström presents a quick trip through all politics of these islands. Just like the movement up until the late 20th century, this process (Anna) are unable to converse with each these aspects in his book. of slaves, labourers, pirates, and traders created a layered racial hierarchy in Africa as other (and thus stands as a critique of Apart from bringing these islands to shaped their recent past, the large scale much as in the Indian soils and minds. Despite universal sisterhood), the same way Indian the forefront of discussions by locating them migrations in the premodern periods, such as claims for Afro-Asian solidarities or because women would be scapegoated for failed in the land-based African and sea-based that of the Austronesian, Bantu, Arab, Swahili, of the Afro-Asian (unequal) collaborations Afro-Asian collaborations in Sen’s novel, international maritime geopolitics and and other communities, have also defined post-Bandung Conference (1955), the ‘brown’ in which the cross-racial “collaborative describing their predicaments in social, the very nature of each island’s historical and often asserted itself as an in-between or better patriarchy” is in the driving seat and economic, political, and environmental contemporary situations. The interactions racial category vis-à-vis the ‘black’. Those of “Afro-Asian solidarity is a homosocial (trans-)formations, Sellström’s book as such between these Asian and African communities Indian origin distanced themselves from black experience at the expense of a brown does not have an overall argument or narrative. along with the European colonialism provide identities in their social, political and cultural woman”(p.105). These lowered and stooged He himself admits this: “The book is not the irrefutable spectacles of transoceanic struggles and sought allegiance with the profiles of women in the transcontinental outcome of original research, nor does it interactions which produced creole/hybrid, privileges of the white. The (re)presentation exchanges are reversed once we come to claim to break new theoretical ground” (p.xii). multi-racial/ethnic communities. Some of the of these racial regimes in the postcolonial Naidoo’s (auto-)biographical writings in which, This lack of any persuasive arguments in the islands had also been drastically transformed writings of Indian/African authors form the at least in one instance of the activist Cynthia historical or contemporary situations might through Western colonialism, be it the ancient central emphasis of Antoinette Burton’s book, Phakathi, gender solidarity “interrupt[s] make the book less attractive a read, and island countries such as the Comoros or other Africa in the Indian Imagination. cross-racial alliances and empower[s] an might appear like a long Wikipedia entry, later-populated islands such as Reunion and Burton takes the literature as emblematic African woman not just to prove her worth or but it should be useful for general readers Mauritius, and the same colonialism continues of the Africa-Asia interactions and the ways get her job back but to tell her African male to get an overall idea of these islands. to shape the fate of some islands like Chagos in which those are narrated, negotiated, employer” the status of her work (p.141). The islands under discussion are and Mayotte where the UK, USA, and France cited and sited. With a focus on writers with These writers represented the larger Madagascar, Comoros, Reunion, Mauritius, continue to breach international laws and an Indian background and their citationary Indian and African connections of their Seychelles, Mayotte, and Chagos. In the transform these places into “the scenes practices, Burton elaborates on the politics times and they fed into the existing political long Introduction (‘From Zanj to Maersk’) of human tragedies” (p.306). (and biases) of the connections and their and diplomatic agendas, whether it was Sellström describes their common features, tellings, in which Africa, Africans, and Cold War or Africanisation. Such issues histories, politics, and problems. In the ‘blackness’ are circulated as a recurrent trope are reflected in the citational practices of following chapters, he enquires similar Concluding remarks in the Indian imaginations. These postcolonial respective authors. Burton convincingly tells themes with regard to each island country, Taken together, the works of Ali, Burton racialised image-nations emerge from the us how the authors in the twentieth-century such as the geographical and demographic and Sellström present a conglomerate of hierarchised privileges that the Indians in postcolonial Indian and African historical and contemporary interactions Africa enjoyed or strived for during the colonial intellectual realms imagined of Africa with the oceanic littoral. While and apartheid regimes.4 Before he would themselves as harbingers of new the narratives on slave mobilities and the become ‘Mahatma’, Gandhi’s political, social, forms of change and created representations of Africans in postcolonial and communalist predispositions against an assertion of racial bias Indian writings demonstrate a transoceanic Africans in early 20th century (explicated through more advanced forms of entanglement with Asia at large, or India in through his pejorative uses of such terms technological, educational, and particular, the socio-political and economic as ‘kaffir’), thereby distancing himself from cultural exchanges. (trans-)formations of African islands in the black people, was part of a larger Indian ocean illuminate the prosperous past of aspiration of placing themselves above the Africa-Asia exchanges along with their Africans, according to which they would in African islands contentious present in nationalistic and 1919 request the League of Nations “to reserve majoritarian political rhetoric. The oceanic Tanganyika an ‘Indian’ territory for the purpose of the ocean world and its impacts on the lives of African of Indian colonisation” and which led Sarojini The same predicaments of individuals, nations and institutions are Naidoo to support this Indian colonial ambition memory on the oceanic melanges irrefutable both in the past and in the by saying that “East Africa … is the legitimate of the past is very much part present despite the politicised, insensitive Colony of the surplus of the great Indian and parcel of the present on and ignorant attempts to erase or ignore nation”(p.10). Burton analyses the nuances the African islands in which the vivid trajectories. Future research and of such south-south racial and sexual politics the intermixed communities initiatives will enlighten us more on the by historicising “the role of Africa and of of Asian, African, and European various faces and phases of Africa’s role in blackness in the emergence of a postcolonial origins create a maritime the littoral and of Africa–Asian connections Indian identity that was both transnational demography with increasing across the ocean. and diasporic, but no less conscious of or concerns over their coexistences invested in racial and sexual difference for in the contemporary island Mahmood Kooria Leiden University being both” (p.14). nations. These islands are the [email protected] The multi-sited and many-cited real focus of Tor Sellström’s Africa or fictional journeys of protagonists between in the Indian Ocean. If the Afro- India and Africa as well as within Africa Asian interactions in Ali’s and deepen our understanding of the modes Burton’s works had spatial and through which racialised citationary practices temporal segregations through Notes plugged into the postcolonial narratives. inconsequential/discontinued 1 For a recent study in the field, see for Burton takes two novels, one travel account, contacts of a dislocated Ethiopian example, Hopper, M. 2015. Slaves of and (auto-) biographical writings to caricature slave or a Goan traveller, or as One Master: Globalization and Slavery in how often those writers walked the thin line a writer who fictionalises Arabia in the Age of Empire; Lovejoy, P.E. of racism and crossed over to the racialist, the events and moments of 2011. Transformations in Slavery: A History if not racist, terrains in their writings. temporary contacts of Slavery in Africa; Pybus, C. 2006. This literary corpus stands as a rich archival Malik Ambar. Courtesy Wikipedia. Black Founders: The Unknown Story of repository for historical enquiries into the Australia's First Black Settlers. racial and sexual sentimentalities of the 2 See for example, de Silva Jayasuriya, S. authors and their wider contexts. In this 2011. ‘South Asia’s Africans: A forgotten people’, http://www.historyworkshop. archive of mind-sets, we not only see how org.uk/south-asias-africans; de Silva often skin colour and race conflicted with Jayasuriya, S. & J.P. Angenot (eds) 2008. and compromised each other, but also we Uncovering the History of Africans in Asia; witness testimonials of gender collaborations Robbins, K. & J. McLeod. 2006. African that form interracial solidarities, whether Elites in India: Habshi Amarat; Minda, A. in a patriarchal misogynist setting among 2004. An African Indian Community in brown and black men, or feminist/female Hyderabad: Siddi Identity, Its Maintenance understandings of motherhood or and Change. sisterhood between and among black 3 The book is prepared as a textbook and brown women. for students, with questions and answers, excerpts from primary sources, and Looking through the works of four authors a timeline at the end of the book. of South Asian descent (Anasuya R. Singh, The narrative style of the book affirms Frank Moraes, Chanakya Sen, and Phyllis its usability as a textbook. It also gives Naidoo), Burton investigates how Africa some portraits and paintings of Ambar and Africans have been cited and sited as and a few other Africans in India, a luxury secondary and tertiary categories in which of elite life that is generally rare for race, class, sexuality, legality, technology, his contemporaries. and politics deepened boundaries and frictions 4 For recent critical readings of Gandhi in the envisioned Afro-Asian solidarities of in South Africa along with the wider Indian sociopolitical sentiments in the larger the postcolonial world. Out of the four, only colonial Africa, see Desai, A. & G. Vahed. Phyllis Naidoo asserts a non-racial history 2015. The South African Gandhi: Stretcher- of Africans and Indians in the anti-apartheid Bearer of Empire; Greenwood, A. & H. struggles, while the remaining authors follow Topiwala. 2015. Indian Doctors in Kenya, a racialist citationary apparatus to describe East Africa and the Indian Ocean 1596, Arnold Florent van Langren. Courtesy Wikimedia Commons. 1895-1940: The Forgotten History. 44 newbooks.asia Asian Studies. Newest Titles. The Review Latest Reviews.

the hero and/or heroine take center stage, they are more generally set ‘out in the open’, in real life, and are as such less divorced from daily reality than the ones central to Bollywood movies. Pongiyannan argues that “the relationship between Tamil cinema and politics … mainly revolves around the actors’ potential to project their superhuman qualities and fans’ faithfulness to the charisma of their favourite actors” (p.29). Two factors are crucial here. While actors set themselves apart from ordinary men by projecting themselves as exceptional and ordinary on-screen, the audience is ‘encouraged’ to perceive their stars as superhuman with divine powers (ibid.). In relation to this, fans have even been known to display their devotion to their particular film hero through religious practices and open worshipping. The author furthermore argues that it appears that a “fan’s allegiance to cinematic stars grows stronger as the popular democratic institutions remain corrupt and continue to fail the masses” (p.33).

MGR – Nadodi Mannan (1958) For his analysis Pongiyannan focuses on Tamil film culture and five iconic movies, each one clearly connecting with the lead actor’s political ambitions and views. The author kicks off the analysis with perhaps one of Tamil cinema’s most politics. Superstar iconic movie stars, Marudur Gopalamenon Ramachandran, generally referred to as MGR. The founder of the All India Anna Dravida Progressive Federation party or Anaithu Indhia actors as charismatic Anna Dravida Munnetra Kalagam (AIAMDK), he was the chief minister of Tamil Nadu for ten years, from 1977 till his death in 1987. MGR continues to be worshipped as a god by the politicians state’s poor, and temples have been built in his veneration. The movie that Pongiyannan pays special attention to here is Nadodi Mannan (1958), which was not only MGR’s 100th Michiel Baas Compared to Bollywood, the Tamil movie industry movie (he would make roughly 150 during his lifetime), but also the one that propelled him (Kollywood) has received much less international and into politics and secured his political superstar scholarly attention. With its detailed analysis of five movies status. While it does not lie in the scope of this article to provide a proper synopsis of the and their respective stars, Pongiyannan’s study Film and movie, nor of any of the other discussed in this Politics in India (2015) provides beautiful insights into the book, what stands out in this movie – which was also written, directed and produced by entanglement of movies and politics in Tamil Nadu, India. MGR – is the way in which corruption, nepotism and injustice are exposed by the two main characters (a double role played by MGR). Besides being the first color movie in Tamil Nadu, the film is a clear example of one that ​Reviewed title puts ‘Tamil-ness’ central through its layering of cultural values and moral lessons. As in the book’s subsequent chapter, which focuses on actress Jayalalitha, Pongiyannan Film and Politics in India: notes the importance of MGR’s fair skin as Cinematic Charisma as a part of his appeal to fans. Yet while this may have made him stand-out as a person hailing Gateway to Political Power from a well-off and upper-caste (Brahmin) background, the actor never failed to point Pongiyannan, Dhamu. 2015. out his humble upbringings and his early days Bern: Peter Lang of poverty, in order for the masses to be able ISBN: 978-3-0343-1551-7 to identify with him (p.46). Unlike Rajinikanth, arguably Tamil cinema’s ‘biggest’ star ‘ever’ and a Marathi speaker by birth, MGR was not a native Tamil speaker, something which at some point also became a political issue (p.46). But MGR simply argued that any person who spoke Tamil was a Tamil, though himself of Malayali ancestry. He promoted n 2012, the Tamil film song ‘Why This in Chennai that is the center of the production of the malnourished, and deities of the himself as a pan-Tamil leader, and due to his Kolaveri Di’ became a worldwide success of its movies) enjoys much less international downtrodden”. As such they “inform the association with the anti-Hindu Dravidian Iand has been viewed over a 130 million times familiarity. Even if Dhanush, a well-known audience, educate the spectator, address Movement also made a determined effort not on YouTube since. The song was written by actor who has performed in over 25 movies various social problems, provide them with to be seen as religious, thus refusing to play lead actor Dhanush, star of the psychological so far, was central to a hit of epic proportions, solace, and secure them with hopes through religious film roles (p.47). thriller simply titled ‘3’, to which the song was his name is unlikely to elicit much of an ‘aha!’ warrior heroes” (p.12). integral. Literally translating as ‘Why this across India’s borders. The fact that he is the killing rage, girl?’, its meaning or relevance son-in-law of Rajinikanth, one of India’s most Jayalalitha – Adimaip Penn to the film was not much of a factor in its revered stars, is probably even less known. Bollywood vs. Kollywood international popularity. Instead, it was the Rajinikanth (often shorted as ‘Rajini’) is Any person who has ever seen a Tamil (1969) song’s ‘Tanglish’ (portmanteau of Tamil and one of the five ‘Tamil’ actors that Dhamu movie will immediately recognize the relevance Pongiyannan continues his analysis by English, not unlike Hinglish which combines Pongiyannan discusses in relation to their of the argument made above. It is also what zooming in on MGR’s heir-apparent and Hindi and English) that seemed to trigger a political aspirations in his informative and sets apart Tamil movies, and in broader partner Jayalalitha whose ‘whiteness’ or particular fascination abroad. It was probably illuminating account of Tamil film and its terms ‘South Indian’ cinema (including the ‘fairness’ added considerable charisma to her the first time a Tamil song made such an associated politics, Film and Politics in India Kannadiga, Malayalam and Telugu movie popular appeal. Also hailing from an upper impression overseas. Other than Bollywood, (2015). Pongiyannan’s main argument is that industries), from Bollywood. While the latter caste (Ayyangar/Brahmin) background, like Tamil Nadu’s movie industry Kollywood a clear link can be drawn between the way generally revolves around story-lines high on MGR Jayalalitha’s popularity also crossed (named after Kodambakkam, a neighborhood Tamil actors star on-screen, the role depicted, glamour, with meticulously choreographed caste lines and had a clear unifying effect on the social issues touched upon, and his or her studio-filmed dance routines and a focus on the masses. Born in 1948, she passed away political ambitions. For this the book builds on the upper middle class and elites, the former recently in 2016 and was at the time still Chief Top: Jayalalitha receiving Prime Minister Sara Dickey’s seminal work (1993) in showing puts ‘ordinary’ Indians much more central, Minister (CM) of Tamil Nadu. In total she would Modi at Chennai airport. Courtesy Wikipedia. how these actors are not merely entertainers with scenes set in market places, people’s serve six terms as CM for a total of fourteen Below: Sarathkumar with Raadhika at 62nd Britannia Filmfare South Awards 2014. but in their portrayal also “saviours of the homes, and simply on the street. While Tamil years. According to Pongiyannan, her career Courtesy Wikimedia Commons. oppressed, protectors of the poor, messiahs movies also abound in musical scenes in which can be divided into three phases, the first The Newsletter No. 80 Summer 2018 45 The Review

of which (1965-1973) is the time she made remained somewhat of an enigma. Born in her debut and entered into a relationship an impoverished Marathi family in the city of with MGR; the second (1973-1991), saw her Bangalore (capital of the state of Karnataka), emerge as a star while her relationship with he is in many ways the opposite of MGR: MGR caused considerable commotion; and unkempt hair, dark skin, and not particularly the third, post-1991 phase, saw her come into muscular or even handsome by conventional her own, develop her own (political) charisma standards. His choice of roles is interesting and eventually become one of the state’s in this light as well; he has never shied away most powerful political leaders. from playing characters displaying ‘bad Like MGR in the movie discussed earlier, behavior’ such as drinking and smoking. Jayalalitha plays a double role in one of While his ordinary looks may make her most iconic movies, Adimaip Penn (1969). him much more a common man than other It was a notoriously provocative film, in which actors – arguably in itself an attempt to she was the first actress to expose her belly, make Tamil Nadu cinema more representative uncommon in Tamil movies till then, and as and realistic (p.104) – his movies tend to be a result she “became the forerunner of the characterized by a particular outlandishness cinematic sexuality of female actors in Tamil that has become his signature style. Yet Nadu” (p.77). Yet this sexuality would continue analyzing the various characters he has to be coupled with notions of innocence, portrayed over time, what stands out is that augmenting her appeal to the masses. Actually he is much more religiously inclined than the singing one of the main songs in the movie, actors mentioned above. Padayappa (1999), rather uncommon in Indian movies since actors one of his most iconic movies, for instance, and actresses generally lip-sync, the movie will is also one of the names of the popular Tamil always be remembered for the way it endowed Hindu deity Lord Murugan. Rajini’s religious Jayalalitha with a particular charisma that avowals associate him “with right-wing she would expand on and make use of for nationalist parties, such as the Bharathiya decades to come. While it cannot be denied Janata Party” (p.116), currently in power in that her popularity was partly determined by India. Furthermore, as the author argues, her controversial relationship with MGR, and “The way in which Padayappa’s success augmented by her fair complexion – which the is built on the feudal social structure, Screenshot of Rajinikanth in the movie Padayappa. author refers to as “charisma of complexion” caste hierarchy, and the inferior status of (p.99) – as well as upper caste background, women sends a strong message to the Tamil the movie discussed here as well as those that audience” (p.131). Rajini’s dark complexion Interestingly, many of Vijayakanth’s With its sequential focus, moving from MGR, followed added powerful layers to what would and characterization as a smoker and drinker, movie titles are different references to MGR’s Jayalalitha and Rajinikanth to more recent become one of Tamil Nadu’s most powerful though a morally upright man, may convince nicknames and song titles. Vijayakanth also actors, the author could have also paid more and charismatic political leaders. the audience that he is one of them, but makes a deliberate effort to communicate to significant attention to the preferred shift his films at the same time suggest that his MGR fans while at the same time positioning from fair to darker skin tones, the changing audience “leave everything in the hands himself as an unyielding action hero who role caste plays in the identity formation of its Rajinikanth – Padayappa of god, embrace superstition, and accept seems to channel Rajinikanth’s angry young actors and depictions in movies, as well as the the feudal social structure.” (ibid.) man’s image (p.140). Here the author argues more prominent role of violence. (1999) that: “The narrative structure of Vijayakanth’s Differing from Bollywood, it is clear that More than any other Tamil actor, films revolves around this tension between the Kollywood movies are much more politically Rajinikanth has left a mark across the state’s Newcomers Vijayakanth anti-heroic or antagonistic violent act, and layered, and function as political vehicles for borders and even abroad. Legendary for the heroic violent act, violence, and rescue.” their actors. In its keenness to contrast Tamil his completely over-the-top action scenes, & Sarathkumar (ibid.) What makes Vijayakanth particularly movies with North Indian ones, Pongiyannan cigar flipping trickery as well as for that one In the final two chapters Pongiyannan unique is his lengthy discourses that he has little to say about other South Indian time when he actually had a one-on-one moves on to relative newcomers Vijayakanth inserts in movies, highlighting “the deplorable movie industries that also have strong political conversation with a Malaria mosquito in the and Sarathkumar. Again the focus is on the plight of the ordinary people when dealing connections, most notably the Telugu one. movie Endhiran (or Robot, 2010), Rajinikanth’s political views of both. Vijayakanth’s Captain with bureaucratic red tape, corruption and Besides that, the book makes some claims fan base is notorious for their adulation Prabhakaran (1991) and Sarathkumar’s violence against women.” (p.155) that lack a sound basis or reference, such as and idolization, which generally reaches Naatamai (translated as The Village Headman, Like Vijayakanth, Sarathkumar is an action the one where the author argues that Tamil feverish conditions around the time of a new 1994) are explored in greater detail. Like hero who does not shy away from violence, Nadu is the second wealthiest state in India movie release. With fan clubs in countries Rajinikanth, Vijayakanth is a dark-skinned but much more so than with the other actors (p.5), or where he mentions that the South such as Japan, the actor is also far more action hero who is also somewhat perceived discussed, the persona he depicts on screen Indian languages Kannada, Malayalam and popular abroad than any other Tamil actor. as an alternative to the former (p.134). can be directly linked to his own (Nadar) caste Telugu all have their roots in Tamil (p.8). Both Compared to the previous actors discussed, At the same time the actor styles himself background. Born into a low-caste position, his Tamil and Telugu did originate from the same however, his political alliances have always as a black MGR, imbuing his movies with caste has witnessed upward mobility through proto language, but Tamil developed from strong political messages its iconic leader K. Kamaraj, who as the author Proto-South Dravidian while Telugu emerged and skillfully and cunningly also points out, was a contemporary of Gandhi separately from Proto-Central Dravidian. portraying himself as a (p.159-160). Like actors such as Stallone and As such it has never quite been conclusive charismatic leader. Perhaps Schwarzenegger, Sarathkumar is a bodybuilder which of the two languages is older. Yet what more so than in MGR’s case, and of the actors discussed in this book he is makes Pongiyannan’s study a stand-out one he is particular known for perhaps the most known for displaying and is the fact that it is one of the few that directly countering lawlessness and conflating a particular muscularity with strong focuses on Tamil cinema and while doing taking up arms against notions of hegemonic and ‘rural’ masculinity. so skillfully provides a comprehensive overview notorious criminals. Captain Through Naatamai (1994) he established his of the way Tamil movies relate to various Prabhakaran in that sense, charisma “by projecting himself as a man of issues and developments in the state. justifies violence, something extraordinary integrity and revolutionary vision Although Tamil as a culture and language the actor does so with the in terms of ideals such as, egalitarian justice …” ranks among the oldest in the world, when following words: “I need to (p.161) He continues to do so by representing it comes to ‘Indian culture’ the focus remains become a beast to destroy himself as a Rural Rambo, both conforming rather hegemonically on North India, something the beast,” (p.138) the latter to the feudal system and confronting the which sees itself represented in the significantly referring to corrupt politicians elements that threaten to disrupt the caste higher number of publications about Bollywood and bureaucrats. hierarchy. Again the poor are a crucial focus each year, contrasting markedly with the Screenshot of Anirudh Dhanush singing ‘Why This Kolaveri Di’. in his movies, particularly informed by growing much smaller number of ones on South Indian disenchantment over the divide between rich cinema. This also sees itself reflected in the and poor, while also challenging new forms international perception of Bollywood as even of consumerism and materiality. In particular more prolific than Hollywood in the number the actor’s charisma builds on his “cinematic of movies that hit the theatres every year, characterization as superhuman with while a comparable number of movies originate extraordinary qualities that can redeem from the Tamil and Telugu movie industries. people from their daily problems.” (p.167) The hit song ‘Why This Kolaveri, Di?’ did little to change the perception of Tamil movies as a niche industry while Bollywood continues Tamil films in perspective to stand in the limelight and is perceived Pongiyannan’s analysis is revealing for as India’s premier and even ‘national’ movie the political undertones of many Tamil films industry. Pongiyannan’s study is an important and the way Tamil actors make use of their reminder that there is more to Indian cinema movies to propel their own political careers. than Bollywood glamour and that its regional In MGR and Jayalalitha’s case this led to a movie industries are superbly revealing for the long-lasting and determining presence on the plight of the country’s underclasses, political political stage, while in the case of the other conundrums, as well as hopes and aspirations actors discussed their political influence and of the ‘common man’. Here’s for hoping more ambitions are less easy to pinpoint. A notable authors will follow suit and investigate the omission in Pongiyannan’s study is one of Tamil complex and variegated Indian cinematic Nadu’s most well-known actor, Kamal Haasan landscape. (1954), an avowed atheist who has always remained rather aloof about his political Michiel Baas Asia Research Institute, ambitions, but has more recently hinted at National University of Singapore. Movie poster for Endhiran. entering Tamil Nadu’s political arena himself. [email protected] 46 newbooks.asia Asian Studies. Newest Titles. The Review Latest Reviews.

old, traditional, or even authentic side amidst all the novelties and drastic changes that their encounters with foreigners entailed – this recurring motif may be the underlying reason The Faces of the Unknown: behind the author’s choice regarding the book’s title. A Frenchman’s Adventures Furthermore, it is also of importance to point out that Raquez makes great efforts in Late Imperial China to delineate the nature of French presence in China through the examples of mining, education, politics, etc., which clearly Aliz Horvath exceed the boundaries of a simple travel guide and make him also a sort of reporter or even ‘intelligence agent’ who informs his compatriots about future possibilities for France to strengthen its position in the region. Finally, his references to other primary materials and his critical attitude towards their merit (or the lack of it), the abundance of excerpts from journals and legal documents, numerous photographs, and his precise observations on local customs seem to testify his desire to consider his experience through scholarly lens as well, thus adding another layer to his account. In scholarly works, there is a tendency to have a relatively ambiguous attitude towards diary-type materials due to their In the Land of Pagodas: A Classic highly subjective nature that may cast doubt Account of Travel in Hong Kong, Macao, on their reliability as primary sources. In the present case, however, the large number Shanghai, Hubei, Hunan and Guizhou of supplementary details, quotes, and translations provided by Raquez, as well as Alfred Raquez. 2017. Edited and translated the foreword, written by a Chinese individual, by William L. Gibson and Paul Bruthiaux appear to serve as means to enhance the Copenhagen: NIAS Press credibility of the material. With all this in ISBN 9788776942014 mind, we might consider this book a hybrid, Image © Creative Commons. Courtesy ‘in-between’ work that tells us ‘Raquez’s truth’ Luigi Andreola on Flickr. through the intertwinement of original texts and the author’s personal experience. In terms of significance, the text can be ultifaceted – this is perhaps the first represents a French perspective, which itself foreign groups, whose mutual interests pushed interesting not only to China scholars but also word that may come to mind upon is relatively rare in relevant source materials. them on the same ‘side’. In this sense, Raquez’s to those focusing on European (especially Mreading through Alfred Raquez’s (or, This approach, accompanied by his numerous In the Land of Pagodas unequivocally adds French) history and international relations, using his real name, Joseph Gervais) account references to certain foreigners who served to our understanding of the complexities and since the book provides insights into both the on his travels around China during the last in China in various capacities and his often the chaotic nature of China’s late 19th century French perception of China and the Chinese years of the 19th century. The book, translated vivid criticism of other nations, fits organically history that cannot be characterized simply view of Westerners, thus serving as a mirror and edited exquisitely by William Gibson and into the existing scholarship in multiple ways. through the ‘China vs the West’ binary. for all parties to face their own realities. Paul Bruthiaux, provides a curious mixture More specifically, it can enrich the field of This peculiar point of view is accompanied Ultimately, as I mentioned earlier, the of genres, impressions, and experiences that microhistorical research produced by, for by an interesting intertwinement of various quality of the translation is excellent and may be of interest to a broad audience. The example, Jonathan Spence, whose work, To styles which may perhaps bring us closer includes an abundance of well-researched term ‘complexity’, however, does not only Change China: Western Advisers in China to the author’s persona. As I mentioned footnotes as well, which certainly facilitate the characterize the text, but can be used to (London: Penguin Books, 1980), covers the earlier, the book does not include precise understanding of Raquez’s French references, describe the author as well who, according operations of influential figures (such as information on Raquez’s identity, but the making it easier for the reader to follow the to the translators’ introduction, possessed an Inspector General Sir Robert Hart) who are rapid shifts between genres, occasionally rich, but at times confusing, narration without equally complicated background. also mentioned by Raquez, demonstrating even within a single paragraph, demonstrates major difficulties. The text mentions that The material can be situated in the his privileged status as an individual with the different ‘masks’ that he takes on the original edition contained an addenda abundant range of personal accounts created special connections. His distinctly French throughout the story. Within the framework section, but the current version uses footnotes by previous foreign travelers, such as those voice, on the other hand, can be juxtaposed of a diary-type structure, Raquez appears in instead both in the case of Raquez’s remarks produced by Marco Polo in the medieval with the available studies on the operations at least three distinct roles which, I believe, and the additions provided by the translators. period or Ennin who had penned a multi-year of ‘Westerners’ in late-imperial China, are directly related to the stylistic variety Although Raquez’s name is included in the diary in as early as the 9th century. These represented by scholars, such as James Hevia, of his work: as a tourist, he lists a variety relevant notes in square brackets, perhaps works all provide interesting insights into the whose major contribution, English Lessons: of practical information for future travelers a clearer distinction between the original current state of China, but unlike most cases, The Pedagogy of Imperialism in 19th Century while attracting the reader’s attention to and the later contributions or a note in the where the authors’ personal circumstances China (Durham, NC: Duke University Press, the wonders he experiences by providing introduction about the reasons behind the are fairly clear (Ennin, for example, was 2003), explores Western colonial endeavors vivid and almost literary-style descriptions editors’ typographical choices would be initially part of a diplomatic envoy and in Asia through specifically British lens, thus about his urban impressions, the sequence helpful. Otherwise, the book can serve not intended to gain more in-depth knowledge on shedding light on the distinction between the of banquets he attends, and the changing only as a novel and useful material for a broad Buddhism), Raquez seems more of a mystery, intentions and practices of different countries. scenery around him. In the course of his audience, but also as a highly entertaining due to the lack of information regarding his Raquez’s account reinforces the idea of kaleidoscopic adventures, the only constant read for anyone interested in foreign status and the purpose of his travel to Asia. heterogeneity, while also showing examples element is the sight of pagodas that he never encounters in the late 19th century. Despite the fog around the author’s of unexpected collaborations between certain neglects to mention. In Raquez’s mind, these persona, the tone of his book consistently Chinese (or ‘Celestial’, as he calls them) and buildings seem to be the symbols of China’s Aliz Horvath University of Chicago

Dorothy Ko's engrossing new book, while clearly showing how ‘the Qing leaders expressed their interests in artistry and technology by being attentive to the making TheThe Social Social Life of Inkstones Life of Inkstones of each individual product’ (p. 11; italics in the original), reveals more importantly the social import of creating, receiving and appreciating the inkstone, in which rested, ready for use, Simon Wickhamsmith the vital fluid of administration and literary culture. The ‘social life’ of the inkstone indeed, is its cultural capital: it is noticeable how hen Manchu forces from the little of Ko's book is actually devoted to its northeast conquered the Ming use in the actual process of writing, and how WEmpire in 1644, they, having had central are its aesthetic and tactile qualities. The Social Life of Inkstones: a script for writing their own language for less During the first 150 years, during the Artisans and Scholars than 50 years, suddenly became the rulers of reigns of the Kangxi, Yongzheng, and a culture whose written legacy stretched back Qianlong Emperors, the Palace workshops in Early Qing China more than 2000 years. The practical concerns were the tastemakers and focal points of of government, as the Empire developed and inkstone appreciation, and it was against Dorothy Ko. 2017 its need for administrative efficiency and the subtle artistry and technical design of Seattle: University of Washington Press cultural power grew, meant that the rulers the workshops' products that the carving ISBN 9780295999180 felt the need to have access to, and a benign of inkstones was judged, and collections control over, the material and intellectual assembled. Ko begins her book with expression of their people. an extensive and intricate tour of the The Newsletter No. 80 Summer 2018 47 The Review

religious studies scholars working on early by articulating a history of kingship and modern, modern, and contemporary India. by forming a new Indo-Persianate aesthetic. This book is extremely rich and is important The chapter is thoroughly convincing in its on many levels, but for the purposes of this argumentation against legitimation theory review I will limit my discussion of Culture and its call to consider the role of knowledge of Encounters to sovereignty, a thread that systems and aesthetics in the construction of Courtly runs through the entire book. imperial power; however, in this discussion the implications of these translations on Indian political theology was perhaps downplayed Legitimation theory a little too much in order to emphasize the Encounters aesthetic literary interactions. Specifically, and sovereignty I am thinking about the discussion of Truschke’s discussion of sovereignty Abū al-Fazl’s preface to the Razmnāmah begins from a critique of legitimation theory (though to be fair the author returns to this Caleb Simmons in her introduction. Following Sheldon Pollock subject in brief repeatedly, including a great (Language of the Gods in the World of Men, discussion in Chapter 6, p. 218). Akbar’s Berkeley: University of California Press, 2006) struggles to seize authority from the ulama and Daud Ali (Courtly Culture and Political and the declaration of the king’s authority Life in Early Medieval India, Cambridge: in al-Fazl’s preface would have been an Cambridge University Press, 2004), the author interesting place to discuss sovereignty and highlights the simplistic perspective of old the role of aesthetics in the state of exception. models of legitimation theory and argues for a This could have also set the stage for the more nuanced understanding of the function fourth chapter in which Akbar’s ‘universal and role of courtly aesthetic culture in the kingship’ and ‘comprehensive sovereignty’ imperial project. She pushes this forward by were discussed (p. 143). adopting Rodney Baker’s work and arguing While the book was overwhelmingly for a form of ‘inward-turning’ legitimation that convincing in its overall goals, this reviewer sought to define the Mughal ‘unique political was left with many questions regarding self’ (p. 19). Interestingly, she argues that sovereignty in the Mughal court: What are in this unique political self ‘the Mughals also we to make of sovereignty and the Mughal wished to see themselves as Indian kings and unique political self as ‘Indian kings … deeply pursued this desire by appropriating a culture grounded in South Asia’s pre-Islamic past’ deeply grounded in South Asia’s pre-Islamic in the interaction of Persian and Sanskrit past’ (p. 19). courtly cultures? What implications does this While this is certainly undeniable and have for our understanding of sovereignty richly demonstrated throughout the volume, in Indian kingship more broadly? my interest in political theology in early The author deftly shows that the modern India led me to wonder how this interactions between the Sanskrit and relates to broader issues of sovereignty in Persian literary traditions was dynamic, premodern India. I kept thinking that instead but it was clearly also a generative one of once again highlighting the perils of the beyond its aesthetic innovations, and limiting oft-critiqued legitimation theory, it could the discussion of sovereignty to legitimation have been productive and interesting to theory brings up larger questions related connect this material with work on the nature to political theology and sovereignty within of sovereignty, e.g. Giorgio Agamben’s State India that are left unaddressed. One can of Exception (Chicago: University of Chicago hardly fault the author for not treading into Press, 2005) or Carl Schmitt’s Political these discussions further given the robust Theology (ed. and trans. George Schwab, manner with which she navigates so many Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2005) difficult academic terrains within the book. and The Concept of the Political (ed. and Perhaps it will even encourage those of trans. George Schwab, Chicago: University us interested in sovereignty and political of Chicago Press, 2007). theology to look more closely at the ulture of Encounters is a ground- Mughals in the future. breaking study of Sanskrit in the CMughal Court from 1560-1660 CE. Sovereignty in the In this book, Audrey Truschke argues that ‘the Conclusion Mughal imperium … was defined largely by Mughal court In that regard, I highly recommend Culture repeated engagements with Sanskrit thinkers, A specific example of where this could of Encounters as not only an innovative study texts, and ideas’ (p. 2) that embedded the have been helpful is in the third chapter of Mughal courtly aesthetic culture but also court in the ‘intellectual landscape of South when Truschke turns her attention to the for its ability to foster a greater interest in Asia’ (p. 4). The author uses the information to construction of sovereignty in Persian questions of the construction of sovereignty problematize our received narrative of Indian renderings of the Sanskrit Mahābhārata. and political theology in early modern India. history, particularly related to the Mughals, This chapter is perhaps the most intriguing Libraries at any institution of higher education and its implication on contemporary politics of the entire work as the author explores need to have this book on its shelves. It would in the subcontinent. One of the things that the multiple valences between Islamicate be ideal reading for a graduate course on Culture of Encounters: sets this book apart is the author’s command and Sanskrit traditions in the texts and modern Indian history, religion in South Sanskrit at the Mughal Court over both Persian and Sanskrit, a rare and the processes of translation. Particularly Asia, Islamic history, and/or Indian Islam enviable quality, that allows her to expertly interesting is the way the author expertly (and surely many others). It is probably too examine literature across Islamic, Jain, and navigates between politics and aesthetics advanced for most undergraduate students; Audrey Truschke. 2016. Brahmin traditions. The work is truly novel, in order to show how the divide is arbitrary though it is well-written enough for bright, New York: Columbia University Press impeccably researched, and very well written. and meaningless in this case. She argues engaged students in upper division seminars. ISBN 9780231540971 It will inevitably have great influence in the instead that the Persian Mahābhārata field and is a ‘must-read’ for historians and tradition sought to redefine sovereignty Caleb Simmons University of Arizona

workshops through the first three imperial envisioning its application, is vital to the or art historical research. The character so much in the way in which Chinese reigns, including an account of the master- refinement of the finished work, and Ko's and historical development of Gu's brand, aesthetics is studied and framed and craftsman and designer Liu Yuan. This treatment of the mines around Yellow Hill is then, is an indication of how connoisseurship repackaged, makes their influence – yet material on how the Empire contributed to the exemplary in showing both how the physical and cultural power worked in the Qing Empire not, of course, the recognition accorded aestheticization of the inkstone, its reframing landscape produced stones, and also how the during the 18th century, the subject of Ko's them in life – all the greater. as an objet d'art, elegantly contextualizes stonecarvers themselves developed precision concluding chapter about the collectors This is in almost every sense an excellent the remainder of the book. Ko's analysis of tools with which to extract and subsequently of inkstones and their collections. book. It is full of information and of historical Liu's contribution to what she suggests as carve the stones. As a woman, Gu's gender seems to have and art historical analysis, and its illustrations being a secondary reframing, of the dragon The two chapters which concentrate been (or to have become) of little import in – notwithstanding that the subject matter as a traditional symbol of imperial power as on the carvers of inkstones emphasize the light of her art. However, inkstone might not always be easy to photograph a standard indicator of the power of the Qing, the importance of skill even over gender. carving and inkstone appreciation remained successfully – are frequent and clear. is one of the book's art historical highlights. Gu Erniang, who functions as the central masculine preserves, and while women Physically weak readers should note however, From the Imperial Palace, the book moves character of this story, was the leading could use inkstones to write, and to write that it is a very heavy book, due to the quality first to the Yellow Hill villages in Zhaoqing, carver of inkstones in her time, but also an poetry of great beauty, circles of collectors and weight of its paper and binding. That Guangdong province, where the precious entrepreneur and designer who, to use Ko's were limited to men. But, as the evidence said, the University of Washington Press Duan stone were mined and carved. Perhaps words, expertly promoted her own brand. of Ko's painstaking research shows, there has produced a fascinating contribution to this book is actually more about the Duan Yet, while Gu's artistry and her brand became were women who collected and appreciated the study of the art and aesthetics of writing stone than about any product made from famous, the details of her life remain hidden. inkstones for just the same reasons, and in China, and to the cultural history of the it, for it is the color and the weight and the Ko clearly wants to explore the artisan as a in just the same ways, as did the men Qing. Dorothy Ko is a talented scholar, but luster of the stone which gives it the quality biographical subject, as well as a cipher for with whom they lived. One of the principal she is also a most alluring writer, and I look which rendered the inkstones so desirable his or her art, and yet like the subtle elements qualities of Ko's work is in revealing the forward to reading her other books. to collectors. As with a sculptor of marble or concealed (or restrained) within the carved influence which women exercised from their wood, the importance to a carver of inkstones inkstone often the individual is expressed ‘occluded’ position, and I feel that there is Simon Wickhamsmith Rutgers, of sourcing just the right stone, of creatively through the voices of second-hand accounts, a sense in which their marginality, as with The State University of New Jersey 48 The Network Announcements

IIAS signs cooperation agreement with the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences (SASS) Leiden-SASS workshop The signing ceremony was preceded by an afternoon workshop, during which representatives of SASS and scholars from Leiden University gave presentations about on-going research on both sides. Following introductions by Prof. Wang Zhen and n 24 April 2018, in Leiden, the Dr Philippe Peycam, the Director of the Netherlands, the International SASS Institute of Sociology and Institute of OInstitute for Asian Studies (IIAS) and Youth and Juvenile Studies, Dr Yang Xiong the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences (杨雄) spoke on the subject of ‘Chinese (SASS) signed an agreement to establish a Social Development, Challenges and Policy SASS-IIAS Centre for China Studies in Leiden, Thinking’. The next speaker was Dr Shi Nan, and an IIAS-SASS Centre for China Studies researcher at SASS, who gave a lecture ‘On in Shanghai. The cooperation will relate not the Flexibility of the Renminbi Exchange only to developments within China, but also Rate’. The last two lectures were delivered to relevant topics in other parts of Asia and by researchers from Leiden University. beyond. The agreement was co-signed by Focusing on ‘China-Pakistan Economic Leiden University. Corridor’, Dr Wang Jue (王珏) of the Leiden Left to right: SASS Vice-President Prof. Wang Zhen (王振), Rector Magnificus of Leiden University Institute for Area Studies (LIAS) spoke about The agreement provides for the exchange Prof. Carel Stolker and IIAS Director Dr Philippe Peycam. the ‘Opportunities and Challenges on the of researchers between IIAS and SASS and ‘Belt and Road’, after which Dr Rogier their partners, and cooperation in projects. interdisciplinary and trans-sectorial Creemer, researcher at the Van Vollenhoven Moreover, SASS and IIAS agree that the two IIAS-SASS partnership research platform, the ‘Urban Knowledge Institute for Law, Governance and Society of representative centres should be made fully The present agreement constitutes Network Asia’ (UKNA), under the theme of the Leiden Law School, addressed the available to the researchers and members a new chapter in an already long-standing ‘Human Flourishing in Asian Cities’. Among ‘Role of Technology in Governing China’. of Leiden University, IIAS’s umbrella structure. and active partnership between IIAS the over 120 researchers that were exchanged The delegation furthermore included Philippe Peycam: “This ceremony is not just and SASS. In 2005, in Shanghai, the two between all the UKNA partners, several Dr Chen Qingan (陳慶安; SASS Institute celebrating the long-standing SASS-IIAS institutes jointly organised the fourth edition researchers from the two institutes spent of Law), and Dr Liu Ahming (刘阿明; SASS partnership, but also one that includes Leiden of the International Convention of Asia time in both Shanghai and Leiden. This Institute of International Relations), who had University”. The agreement was signed during Scholars (ICAS 4). This was the first ever year, also under UKNA, SASS and IIAS are arrived two weeks earlier to help prepare the a festive ceremony at Leiden University’s major international event of this kind in the organising, in collaboration with Fudan day in close collaboration with IIAS staff Faculty Club, in the presence of a broad People’s Republic of China, attended by University and New York University Shanghai, member Lin Xiaolan (林晓兰), as well as to group of interested parties from, among 1,400 participants from all over the world. a major conference on port cities, taking place discuss a business plan for the cooperation others, Leiden University, NWO (Netherlands From that time on, IIAS forged collaborations in Shanghai in November 2018. In addition, between SASS and IIAS for the coming years. Organisation for Scientific Research) and the with many PRC institutions, including of also this year, SASS will be participating, and The discussion was continued immediately Chinese Embassy. The signatories were course, SASS. Another important step in the partnering with IIAS, to support the second upon the signing ceremony, together with Prof. Wang Zhen (王振), Vice-President of collaboration between SASS and IIAS was edition of the international conference the full SASS delegation. SASS, Dr Philippe Peycam, Director of IIAS, in 2011, when the two organisations joined ‘Asia-Africa: a New Axis of Knowledge’, and Prof. Carel Stolker, Rector Magnificus thirteen other institutes from Asia, Europe and which will take place in Dar es Salaam, SASS website: of Leiden University. the USA to operate in the IIAS-coordinated Tanzania, on 20-22 September 2018. www.sass.org.cn

IIAS offers an annual award for the best national master’s IIAS National thesis in the broad field of Asian Studies, in the Netherlands

Master’s The Award

• The honorary title of ‘Best Master’s Thesis’ in Asian studies Thesis Prize • A maximum three month stipend to work at IIAS, in order to write a PhD project proposal or a research article 2018 Criteria • The master’s thesis should be in the broad field of Asian Studies, in the humanities or social sciences • The thesis must have been written at a Dutch university • Only master’s theses which have been graded with an 8 or higher are eligible • The thesis must have been evaluated in the period 1 Oct 2017 – 31 October 2018 • Both students and their supervisors can apply

Submission

Please submit four hard copies of the master’s thesis and a cover letter including the grade awarded and your contact details.

Submissions should be sent to: Secretariat Photography © Ania Blazejewska Photography International Institute for Asian Studies (IIAS) P.O. Box 9500 Application deadline: 1 November 2018, 9:00 am 2300 RA Leiden For further information email: [email protected] The Netherlands The Newsletter No. 80 Summer 2018 49 Announcements The Network

New book in the IIAS/AUP Upcoming Asian Heritages Series conferences he Chinese state uses cultural heritage as a source Still to come in 2018: two major inter- Tof power by linking it to political and economic goals, but national conferences co-organised heritage discourse has at the same by the International Institute for Asian time encouraged new actors to appropriate the discourse to protect Studies. The events are open to anyone their own traditions. This book with an interest in the themes addressed, focuses on that contested nature of heritage, especially through the lens yet it is unfortunately no longer possible of individuals, local communities, to submit proposals. religious groups, and heritage experts. It examines the effect of the internet on heritagisation, as well as how that process affects different groups of people. Chinese Heritage in the Making: Borderland Spaces: Ruins, Christina Maags is a lecturer in Chinese Politics at the School Experiences, Negotiations Revival(s) and Resources of Oriental and Asian Studies (SOAS), University of London. and Contestations

Marina Svensson is Professor Christina Maags of Modern China Studies at & Marina Svensson (eds) 2018. Lund University and does Amsterdam University Press he 6th conference of the Asian research related to human ISBN: 978-94-6298-369-4 Borderlands Research Network will rights, cultural heritage, 288 pages, 19 b/w illustrations; Hardback Tfocus on the generative and productive journalism, digital society capacity of border spaces, which is urgently and the Internet in China. €95.00 / £85.00 / $115.00 in need of being addressed. It will address the following questions: How are border- http://en.aup.nl/ lands in Asia creating alternative spaces for books/9789462983694-chinese- heritages, self-definition and the extraction heritage-in-the-making.html of resources? How can these cases serve 13-15 August 2018 to rethink social theories of various kind? Organised by the American University Venue: of Central Asia, the International Institute American University for Asian Studies (IIAS) and the Asian of Central Asia, Borderlands Research Network (ABRN). Asian Borderlands: Bishkek, 2-3 May 2018 Kyrgyzstan Information and registration: workshop and book launch www.asianborderlands.net Alexander Horstmann & Karin Dean, Tallinn University, Estonia

out complementary theoretical insights from Asian border research to contribute to wider scholarship on the one hand, and identified new innovative methods for studying any border, on the other. Alexander Horstmann (Tallinn University) argued that there is a dearth of theory building in borderland studies, but that there are new avenues, not least those developed in the context of the Asian Borderlands Research Network (asianborderlands.net). Beppe Karlsson (Stockholm University) presented his work on migration strategies of indigenous minorities in Northeast n 2-3 May 2018, to mark the India. Tomas Cole (Stockholm University) publishing of the Routledge presented his case-study on conflict, 20–22 September 2018 OHandbook of Asian Borderlands conservation and alternative regimes of (eds Alexander Horstmann, Martin Saxer sovereignty in the highlands of Myanmar. Venue: and Alessandro Rippa), Tallin University and Other new avenues and innovative University of Dar Es Salaam, the Forum for Asian Studies at Stockholm concepts on Asian borderland studies were Dar Es Salaam, University jointly hosted a book launch also presented: Nick Megoran (Newcastle Africa-Asia, a New Axis of Tanzania in conjunction with a workshop, titled University) on the biography of borders, ‘Innovative Approaches to Border Studies’. focussing on the Uzbekistan-Kyrgyzstan Knowledge – Second Edition The Handbook is yet another milestone border; Karin Dean (Tallinn University) on in the studies of borderlands generally assemblage and the Sino-Myanmar border; and in the growing field of Asian border Jussi Laine (University of Eastern Finland) studies specifically; it is intended for a wide on border making and -scaping; Martin audience — political or social stakeholders Saxer (LMU Munich) on pathways, place- uilding on the multiple encounters, Leiden University (Leiden, the Netherlands); in borders, students and people thinking knots and curation, terms that he developed interactions and dialogues initiated at University of Michigan (UM, Ann Arbor, U.S.); about borders within the wider society — in the context of his ongoing ERC project Bthe 1st Africa-Asia Conference (Accra, L'Observatoire des sociétés de l'océan Indien because we strongly hold that the insights on ‘Remoteness and Connectivity: Highland Ghana, 2015), this second conference seeks -OSOI, Université de La Réunion (La Réunion, gleaned from borders and ‘bordering’ Asian in the World’. Finally, Agniesza Joniak- to deepen the explorations of new realities, Fr.); National University of Singapore (NUS, can enhance the explanatory power Lüthi (University of Bern and Université de and long histories connecting Africa and Asia. Singapore); Social Science Research Council in understanding the converging social Fribourg) presented her new project with Organised by the University of Dar es (SSRC, New York, USA); Center for Asian worlds across the globe. the Swiss National Foundation, ‘Road Salaam (UDSM, Tanzania), Association for Studies, University of Ghana (Accra, Ghana); The two-day workshop critically evaluated construction maintenance in Sino-Inner Asian Studies in Africa (A-ASIA, Accra, Ghana) Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences (SASS, the current state of interdisciplinary Asia border regions’. All in all, the workshop and the International Convention of Asia Shanghai, China); Henry Luce Foundation research on borders, explored future trends collected very promising new avenues Scholars (ICAS, Leiden, the Netherlands). (U.S.); and the Tokyo University of Foreign and new methods, while also establishing in border research. In partnership with: Muziris Institute for the Studies (TUFS, Japan). connections between ‘the mainstream’ Indian Ocean Studies, University of Calicut and Asian border scholars. It explored The Routledge Handbook of Asian (Calicut, Kerala, India); International Institute Information and registration: where Asian border studies as an inter- Borderlands is available from: for Asian Studies (Leiden, the Netherlands); www.icas.asia/africas disciplinary field is heading and teased https://tinyurl.com/routledgeAB2018 50 Critical Heritage Studies ‘In-situ’ discussions on The Network Report cultural heritage

Left: The tanneries, Fez. Below: Médersa mérinide, Salé

Fieldtrip, Critical Heritage Studies, Morocco, A sense of heritage 4-8 April 2018

Student discussion in Morocco and allowing public use while protecting the building at the same time. We resumed our tour to visit the Al-Attarine Madrasa, built during the height of decorative Islamic architecture. Heidi Jie and Eun Chae Park In April 2018, students and academics from Leiden University Continuing to navigate to our next destination, however, revealed the logistical challenges in the Netherlands and Mohammed V University in Morocco of manoeuvring a group of thirty through the embarked on a five-day journey to be immersed in the souk, past carts, people and enticing shops, inevitably resulting in the group splitting complexities and history of the expression of cultural heritage up and some getting lost. The remainder of in Morocco. The trip was organised by the International the group continued to enjoy the tanneries, amongst other sites. leven students from the IIAS-coordinated Institute for Asian Studies (IIAS) and the Netherlands Institute There was something about this souk that Critical Heritage Studies programme at of Morocco (NIMAR) in Rabat, Morocco. left a deep impression on most of us. From ELeiden University and twelve Museology the market stalls came a barrage of sounds students from Mohammed V University shared and sights; this place had its own pace and a learning experience about the complexities life. Some students had the opportunity to of heritage in Morocco. The study trip was led ranging from Muslim prayer beads to political and with great passion, he captivated his shop and bargain at the local stores. From the by an entourage of five academic experts with divides in Morocco. After dinner, although audience’s attention as he told the tale of the Moroccan students and the merchants of the different disciplinary backgrounds, including very enthused, most of us were longing to history of Salé, once the political and maritime souk, the Leiden visitors learned about locally Philippe Peycam (Director of IIAS), Léon find our beds. centre of Morocco. He led us to the top of the produced goods, their uses, who uses them Buskens (NIMAR), Willem Vogelsang (Deputy maritime gate, gifting us with a beautiful view. and why, which provided insight into Moroccan Director of IIAS), Elena Paskaleva (lecturer and Although Salé houses more citizens than Rabat, daily life and culture. When the group was coordinator of the Critical Heritage Studies Day 2: No sh*t talk about it has lagged behind in political and economic reunited again, we shared our last traditional programme at Leiden University) and Paul van resources. Rabat and Salé have a centuries-old Moroccan dinner with the other students and der Velde (ICAS Secretary), who all actively my city feud that still lives on today. The new tram teachers, exchanging memories, impressions, participated in the academically stimulating Morning breakfast at café Lina with system, even if it facilitates commuting, has so and inshallah, aux revoirs and not-adieus. and culturally enriching exchange. It was a French pastries, coffee and a jus d’orange. far failed to foster any warm feelings between five-day immersion in Moroccan architecture, A visit to the heart of Casablanca, guided by the two cities. After admiring a renovated museums, and, most importantly, food that shamelessly proud architect and Casablanca caravan sarai [roadside inn], we enjoyed a Day 5: There and back again brought us in touch with the multi-faceted native Labib El Moumni who would not accept, cup of mint tea with a snack called msemmen We were sorry to have to leave Morocco, aspects of the cultural heritage of a country in his words, “sh*t” talk about his city. He – a pancake-like bread that is eaten through- a beautiful country we had just begun to that is trying to find its own voice. guided us through the wide boulevards lined out the day. explore. Our bus was ready to take us back to with colonial-era Art Deco architecture, Back at the NIMAR institute, three Leiden Casablanca Airport, but as trips go, things do remnants of the French protectorate. The students presented their research; we then not always happen according to plan. It was Day 1: Tardy trepidation city design, culminating in the symbolic visited the Musée de l’Histoire et des by coincidence, and our misfortune, that our Schiphol Airport, eight o’clock in the morning. clock tower, punctuated Casablanca’s firm Civilisation, an archaeological museum that bus was held up for 45 minutes by a marathon What began as an uneventful trip turned feet in the future. El Moumni highlighted the aims to bring Moroccan heritage and history in the city centre. Consequently, many of us into momentary worries upon touchdown architectural details that showed the change in to life, starting from prehistoric times to the did not make the flight back to Amsterdam and in Casablanca where two of the members emphasis from French to a Moroccan identity. Islamic era. After wrapping up our visit to the had to spend the night in Casablanca before of our party were held in limbo by customs, Our tour ended with our first traditional museum, the group arrived at the buildings continuing the journey home on the following pending approval of their visas for entry into Moroccan lunch, during which Léon Buskens of Mohammed V University where the Leiden day. One flight and a ride on the Thalys brought the country. The rest searched frantically for proposed we consider assumptions about students continued their presentations for everyone home safely, thus ending our journey. Wi-Fi and dirhams, some with more success authenticity by illustrating the fluidity of the day. The Moroccan students were invited than others. After customs released the changes in cultural heritage with the history and encouraged to consider how the topics required visas, we were off to Rabat where of our drinking glasses on the table. They presented could be implemented in a Moroccan Reflections we, running late, finally met with the students were originally an exercise in frugality, made context. The souk of Rabat was a welcome It is very well possible to learn about and from Mohammed V University and their from recycled glass, and used primarily respite at the conclusion of the tours and engage with critical heritage studies in the professor Mohammed Saïd El Mortaji. in restaurants. The concept of bildy, or presentations, where the students now had Netherlands, but the privilege of traveling to The two groups introduced themselves over ‘authentically made’, turned these previously a chance to spend some time together. Our a country so vastly different from one’s own a cup of mint tea and Moroccan sweets. low-cost, mass-produced glasses sold for gracious hosts were happy to show us the souk afforded us the invaluable experience of After tea, the Leiden group was steered 1 dirham a piece, into twenty-five euro and all its surprises. Students bought herbs and ‘understanding’ away from our textbooks and to stunning panoramic riverside views set glasses sold in Parisian shops! spices, sweets and boxes, all while experiencing outside the comfortable realm of the classroom. against the late evening sun. What followed From there, it was a dash to the train the smells and sounds of a vibrant, lively souk, It made us keenly aware of the importance was a tour through Rabat’s historically and back to Rabat for Leon’s lecture on ‘The Past a living entity, defined at its core by the people of context and the relevance of learning from culturally significant sites, guided by professor and Future of Morocco’, providing our group and their relationship with it. The bargaining people who are in close contact with the culture Mohammed. By the time dusk had fallen, with the context from which to consider the and the stories told while being immersed in under investigation. The senses also played an Oumaima Oualid, a PhD candidate in Critical coming sites on our visit. Afterwards, the the atmosphere brought home the idea that important role in the experience. Sounds, smells, Heritage at Mohammed V University, led group split up, and a small satellite group ‘heritage’ is not at rest, but alive, and dynamic. tastes and textures add depth and colour like us through the bustling streets and plazas went to have dinner in a local restaurant spices add flavour to food, something that of Rabat. We took time to admire the tiled to have a first taste of the local cuisine. a PowerPoint presentation in the classroom fountains of the souk [market place]. Originally Day 4: Lost in the souk cannot convey. Heritage, understood as serving as gathering places for the locals and The city of Fes. Guided by al-Mountasir something fluid, evolves through exchanges, their animals to water themselves as well as to Day 3: 3D lectures Loukili, we visited Dar Batha Médina, the continuously re-invented, and as societies catch up on the latest gossip, these fountains A morning trip to the city of Salé by tram, new museum of Islamic art, constructed by change, their heritages change with them. are now being renovated with the added where the main maritime gate of Salé and the French using parts of houses of the purpose of heritage-making and attracting archaeologist Dr Mohamed Krombi awaited us. Moroccan nobility of Fes. Rooftop drinks at Heidi Jie and Eun Chae Park students from tourists. The group then dined in an Italian With infectious enthusiasm, Dr Krombi gave the a café near one of the old city gates revealed the Double Degree in Critical Heritage restaurant where we had the chance to learn group an extended tour during which he halted how the city works to protect old buildings, Studies of Asia and Europe programme about, discuss and exchange views on topics at important archaeological sites. Animated using removable architectural components and participants of the Morocco fieldtrip. The Newsletter No. 80 Summer 2018 Feminist methodologies Embracing curricular reflection 51 and educational innovation Report The Network

Workshop, Cotton University India, The Cotton Spring 2-4 April 2018

Rakhee Kalita Moral Early April 2018, and the corridors of Cotton University Dare to think, dare to imagine in Guwahati, the capital city of Assam, were abuzz The last day of the workshop featured with a burst of energy and gathering of women in the several break-away sessions to discuss ‘Utopian thinking in a changing world’ in order he two-and-a-half-day workshop central conference hall of the 117-year old institution, to realise a shared manifesto that stressed was “a liberating exercise”, as one to participate in a workshop on ‘Feminist Methodologies’. the need to go beyond traditional patriarchal T women’s studies scholar and teacher The event was occasioned by the northeast India project norms to explain the violence of men against remarked, filled with lively conversations with women. What emerged was the need to women’s collectives, sharing experiences of the IIAS-coordinated programme Humanities across inquire into the irreversible structural changes and perspectives from outside the formal – political, military, ecological, economic – that structure of the classroom and the curriculum. Borders: Asia and Africa in the World (HaB), undertaken were responsible for the emasculation of men Conducted by Professor Vergès (Advisor) by the author to explore how the experience of women’s in the borderlands by the actions of the state. and Dr Aarti Kawlra (Academic Director of This was followed by an individual story-board the HaB programme), the workshop brought mobilisations for peace via diverse civil society agents exercise, titled, ‘I/We dare to think, dare to the everyday life of women seamlessly into in recent times, in Nagaland and Assam, could enter imagine’, during which participants used dry the feminist scholar’s world and provided pastels on black chart paper to create visual a shared space for reflection over common the discourse and practice of women’s studies courses representations of womanhood from their own concerns and issues stemming from the in the region. vantage points. It resulted in a spectacular region’s unique context. wall mural that further enlivened the workshop Our discussions in preparation for the space, already adorned with flowers and workshop with women of different tribes textiles in bright colours. and communities in the Naga Hills and the The final session was a reflection and high Assam-Nagaland borderlands were initially tea with the Vice-Chancellor and Registrar to explore how traditional customs/practices of Cotton University, who were more than just and formal legal injunctions trigger and enthusiastic about the curricular outcomes of influence collectivisation among women the workshop. It was exciting to see that the in the region. My young and multi-tasking Cotton University administration was already research assistant Tiachenla was largely the thinking of rolling out courses at three different mover in Nagaland, without whom it would levels for the coming semester. It was proposed have been impossible to organise the event. that we create an inter-university group to Between Abantee Dutta, project associate and build an add-on course for non-university law researcher, and myself, some of the earlier students as an introductory methodologies frameworks and rationale of understanding course for all undergraduates across women’s practices of resistance have since disciplines, as well as a postgraduate course been reshaped by the revelations that unfolded at the master’s level in women’s studies. through the workshop itself. However, the The workshop was a reminder of the question that still remained pertinent and recurrent need to mobilise academia-society uppermost on the workshop’s agenda was: linkages under one common platform. And How do we do feminist methodologies in the for women’s studies to celebrate womanhood specific context of northeast India without (not simply the white feminist variety) while being limited by overarching theoretical reminding us that being woman awakens prescriptions that typically direct many of the need to go past the discriminations our approaches to gender studies, and in and totalisations that erase the sense of particular women’s studies? imagining the self as being human in the The workshop was flagged off by a plenary Workshop participants world. The convergence of ideas, ontologies session at the Sudmerson Hall on 2 April 2018, and epistemologies towards this end came alive where the background and intent of the HaB could feed into larger paradigms of women’s A number of exercises were deployed as a resurgence of women’s voices, scripting workshop – to revitalise and make relevant studies programmes elsewhere. Articulating to enable sharing in an atmosphere of a new narrative in the history of gender studies the teaching and learning of women’s studies the experience of being a woman in Assam conviviality and exchange. The workshop and approaches in this region, home already courses for and by women in the Northeast and Nagaland, the handbook will document began in the afternoon of April 2nd with to several women’s peace movements and – was officially recognised by university women’s decisions, personal and public, the ‘Who are we?’ exercise of mapping one’s interventions in what has long been regarded officials, especially by the newly appointed in the specific cultural and political context home and introducing oneself as though as India’s troubled eastern frontier. Vice-Chancellor and the Registrar of Cotton and history of the region. ‘to a friend’, using small photos and index From some of my earliest imaginings University. It was followed by a lecture by cards on a wall map showing the northeast about documenting and archiving a women’s Francoise Vergès on Political Feminism in the region of India, followed by individual movement in India’s northeastern peripheries Era of Femonationalism and Populism to a Beyond home and family accounts of ‘How we define ourselves socially’ (during the Chiang Mai kick-off of the packed room and eager audience that included The Cotton workshop was in recognition outside and beyond the home and family. HaB programme in early 2017 steered by many students and scholars from other small of this ongoing work of women’s collectives in The next day, Francoise led the first session Director Philippe Peycam’s indefatigable joie and big colleges and universities in Guwahati the region. It was a coming together of women on women’s work, titled, “Who is caring de vivre), the April 2018 HaB workshop on and beyond. The public session sent out a from various orientations, both academics and cleaning the world?”, during which the feminist methodologies at Cotton University clear message to all those present that Cotton and members of civil society groups. As the individual and collective hours of work were seems to have made a few seminal strides University was indeed ready to be the initiating workshop processes unfolded and participants calculated to bring to the fore the mental in reconfiguring and repositioning learning platform for curricular reflection and change listened to the experience of – in the words of load carried by women in society today. and living with a real humanities approach in gender studies in the cluster of institutions renowned feminists from across the world – The afternoon session of day 2 reiterated to knowledge production and curricula of higher education in the northeast of India, “being (conscious) in the world”, their reactions the need to interrogate crystallised constructs development at the university. It is worth and for the implications for allied research. ranged from sheer wonder to euphoria and of ‘gender’, ‘custom’, ‘tribe’, ‘communal reiterating that the encouragement and Kheshili Chishi, a tireless peace worker realisation of a unity across geographies. identity’, ‘the Northeast’, and ‘nation’, that unstinted support to the workshop by both its from Kohima in conflict-torn Nagaland, whose This knowledge provided participants with define and intersect the experience of being Vice-Chancellor, Professor Bhabesh Goswami, drive and commitment was largely responsible novel ‘ways of seeing’ their own positionalities ‘woman in Assam and Nagaland’. Francoise and its Registrar, Professor Shikhar Sharma, for mobilising two dozen women via overnight and endorsed the local and contextual as helped us inquire into the notion of ‘gender’ bring rich promise in formally forging the train journeys from the Naga Hills to Guwahati, being uppermost for rethinking the discourse in its Western definition, and to challenge institution’s partnership with the International exemplified the urgency and spirit of shared and practice of women’s studies in the region. it for being too narrow and thus too poor to Institute for Asian Studies in Leiden, the purpose that brought the 70 participants The participants comprised women from truly account for the multiple ways in which Netherlands, which has taken off both in together in the workshop. Kheshili, one academia, including IIT Guwahati, Gauhati women experience their identities, roles and spirit and action with this interesting event of the front-runners in the Forum for Naga University, North Eastern Hill University, TISS, belonging to a place. Aarti proposed the idea at Cotton University. Dilip Gogoi from the Reconciliation (FNR), a civil society collective Northeast Studies’ Regional Centre and other of interrogating the discourse of place-based Faculty of Political Science, my very competent of the state rooting for peace with the Indian colleges and collectives, as well as independent identities and local pasts or lived histories, co-convenor at Cotton University, silently government, remains a major resource for the researchers, unaffiliated but passionate and of becoming a researcher, activist assured me, every time I felt anxious about current project on women’s mobilisations, and women, and a few activists that also included in defending one’s own sense of place. hosting a theory/praxis initiative of this kind, has brought the author in touch with several some ardent MA students from the English She discussed the idea of expanding the that we could certainly break out of the mould grassroots people whose stories and struggles department of Cotton University, and happily notion of value to resist the logic of monetary and make this novel workshop a real success. give flesh to a proposed publication under for me, my dynamic young colleagues Pallabi, value via price and a utility and introduced Spring is indeed here! preparation as part of the HaB programme. Raa and Risha. The workshop’s activities the idea of custodianship and inalienable Entitled, The Little Book of Women’s Practices enabled and echoed the participants’ own value to complement the rights-based Rakhee Kalita Moral is Associate Professor from Assam and Nagaland, the volume is lived situations, inspiring a sense of purpose approach to natural resources, including flora at Cotton University and Coordinator/ envisaged as a handbook of women’s individual towards decision-making and change, together and fauna, property, skills such as weaving, Primary Investigator of the Northeast and collective practices in the everyday, with the recognition that gaining knowledge dyeing and bamboo construction, and other India project of the IIAS-coordinated both in confrontation and collaboration about one’s own experience and positionality material agents of sustenance and cultural programme Humanities across Borders: with state, society and family. One that in the present is empowering in itself. reproduction. Asia and Africa in the World 52 The Network Research

he Urban Knowledge Network Asia (UKNA) is an inclusive network that brings Ttogether scholars and practitioners engaged in collaborative research and events IIAS Research, Urban Knowledge on cities in Asia. It seeks to influence policy by contributing insights that put people at the Network Asia (UKNA) centre of urban governance and development strategies. The emphasis is on immediate Networks, problem solving as well as on the identification of long-term, transformative processes that increase the scope for the active engagement of people in the creative production and and Initiatives shaping of the city in Asia. The UKNA Secretariat is at IIAS, but the network comprises universities and planning institutions across China, India, Southeast Asia and Europe. Its IIAS research and other initiatives current flagship project is the Southeast Asia Neighbourhoods Network (SEANNET), which are carried out within a number promotes research, teaching and dissemination of thematic, partially overlapping of knowledge on Asia through the prism of neighbourhoods and urban communities in research clusters in phase with six selected Southeast Asian cities. contemporary Asian currents and built around the notion of social www.ukna.asia Coordinator: Paul Rabé [email protected] agency. In addition, IIAS remains Clusters: Asian Cities; Asian Heritages open to other potentially significant topics. More information: EANNET is a four-year project www.iias.asia (2017-2020), supported by a grant Sfrom the Henry Luce Foundation Southeast Asia (New York, USA) that seeks to develop a multi-disciplinary body of knowledge Neighborhoods on cities in Southeast Asia through the IIAS research clusters prism of the neighbourhood. Through Network (SEANNET) case study sites in six cities (Mandalay, Myanmar; Chiang Mai and Bangkok, Asian Cities Thailand; Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; This cluster deals with cities and urban Manila, Philippines; Surabaya, Indonesia), in-situ roundtables and workshops, academic cultures with their issues of flows and fluxes, SEANNET seeks to engage the humanistic social conferences, publications, and new forms of ideas and goods, and cosmopolitism and sciences in a dialogue with urban stakeholders pedagogy developed in collaboration with local connectivity at their core, framing the existence as co-contributors of an alternative knowledge institutions of learning. The second ambition of vibrant ‘civil societies’ and political micro- on cities. It seeks to achieve this through a of SEANNET is to help shape and empower cultures. Through an international knowledge combination of participatory field-research, a community of early career scholars and network, IIAS aims to create a platform for practitioners working on and from Southeast scholars and urban practitioners focusing on Asia. To that effect, SEANNET research teams in Asian cities ‘in context’ and beyond traditional the six neighbourhoods comprise international western norms of knowledge. and local scholars, students from local universities, and civil society representatives, working together with neighbourhood Asian Heritages residents. This cluster focuses on the uses of culture and cultural heritage practices in Asia. In particular, www.ukna.asia/seannet it addresses a variety of definitions associated Coordinators: Paul Rabé with cultural heritage and their implications [email protected] for social agency. The cluster engages with and Rita Padawangi Singapore a broad range of related concepts and issues, University of Social Sciences including the contested assertions of ‘tangible’ [email protected] and ‘intangible’, concepts such as ‘authenticity’, Cluster: Asian Cities ‘national heritage’ and ‘shared heritage’, and, in general, with issues pertaining to the political economy of heritage. IAS supports the work of the Indian Medical Research Network, which Global Asia Iaims to stimulate social-cultural and Indian Medical Asia has a long history of transnational social-historical research on Indian linkages with other parts of the world, thereby medical traditions such as Ayurveda, Research Network shaping the global order, as much as the world Unanitibb, Siddha, Yoga and Sowa Rigpa. at large continues to shape Asia. The Global Of special interest is the integration of Asia Cluster addresses contemporary issues Indian medicine in Indian public health related to Asia’s projection into the world as well and its role as second resort for as trans-national interactions within the Asian middleclass Indians and Europeans. region itself. In addition IIAS aims to help develop a more evenly balanced field of Asian Studies www.iias.nl/indianmedicine by collaborating in trans-regional capacity Coordinator: Maarten Bode building initiatives and by working on new types [email protected] of methodological approaches that encourage Cluster: Asian Heritages synergies and interactions between disciplines, regions and practices.

nitiated by IIAS, this programme involves Leiden University in the Netherlands, two IInstitutes at National Taiwan University Double Degree in in Taiwan and one at Yonsei University in South Korea. Discussions with other possible Critical Heritage Studies partners in Asia are ongoing. The programme offers selected students the opportunity to of Asia and Europe follow a full year study at one of the partner institutes with full credits and a double degree. The curriculum at Leiden University benefits from the contributions of Prof Michael Herzfeld (Harvard) as a guest teacher and the Senior Advisor to the Critical Heritage Studies Initiative of IIAS.

www.iias.nl/critical-heritage-studies Coordinator: Elena Paskaleva [email protected] Cluster: Asian Heritages The Newsletter No. 80 Summer 2018 53 Research The Network

Asian Borderlands Research Network (ABRN)

his network focuses particularly Leiden Centre for on the border regions between TSouth Asia, Central/East and Indian Ocean Studies Southeast Asia. The concerns are varied, ranging from migratory move- ments, transformations in cultural, linguistic and religious practices, to ethnic mobilisation and conflict, he Leiden Centre for Indian Ocean Humanities across marginalisation, and environmental concerns. ABRN Studies brings together people and organises a conference in one of these border regions Tmethods to study the ‘Indian Ocean Borders: Asia & Africa every two years in co-operation with a local partner. World’, aiming to co-organize conferences, workshops and academic exchanges with in the World Next conference: Borderland Spaces: Ruins, Revival(s) institutions from the region. Together with and Resources, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, 23-25 August 2018. IIAS, the Centre facilitates an inclusive and Also see p.48 in this issue. global platform bringing together scholars and institutions working on connections www.asianborderlands.net and comparisons across the axis of human o-funded by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Coordinator: Erik de Maaker interaction with an interest in scholarship (New York, USA) this new IIAS programme (2017-2020) [email protected] that cuts across borders of places, periods Cfor global collaboration on humanistic education is Cluster: Global Asia and disciplines. carried out by a consortium of twenty-three leading institutes in Asia, West Africa, Europe and the United States, and their The Centre will be participating in the local partners in Asia and Africa. Its goal is to mobilise the international conference Africa-Asia, development of a global consortium of universities and their A New Axis of Knowledge – Second Edition local partners interested in fostering humanities-grounded in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, education. Its substantive vision is that of an inclusive and Energy Programme 20-22 September 2018. expanded humanities. To this end, the program will initiate methodological interventions in teaching and research Asia (EPA) www.iias.asia/research/leiden- to surpass narrow disciplinary, institutional and ideological centre-indian-ocean-studies agendas. The programme facilitates border-crossing meetings, Cluster: Global Asia workshops and other collaborative pedagogical formats in its partner geographies. Jointly conducted, these events aim he latest and second joint to shape a curricular matrix and framework for humanistic research programme of the education across borders. TIIAS Energy Programme Asia carried out with the Institute of West Follow the stories on the Humanities across Borders Blog Asia & African Studies of the Chinese Centre for Regulation www.humanitiesacrossborders.blog Academy of Social Sciences was entitled The Transnationalization & Governance (CRG) www.iias.asia/research/humanities-across- of China’s Oil Industry (2013-2017). borders-asia-africa-world It analysed China’s increasing Clusters: Global Asia; Asian Heritages involvement with governments, local institutions and local stakeholders he IIAS Centre for Regulation and in the energy sectors of a number Governance in Asia is engaged in of resource-rich countries in Africa, Tinnovative and comparative research on Asia and Latin America. theories and practices – focusing on emerging Publication: Geopolitical Economy of Energy markets of Asia. Its multi-disciplinary research Asian Studies and Environment China and the European Union undertakings combine approaches from (Medhi P. Amineh, Yang Guang, 2017). political economy, law, public administration, in Africa criminology, and sociology in the comparative www.iias.nl/research/energy-programme- analysis of regulatory issues in Asia and in asia-epa developing theories of governance pertinent Coordinator: M. Amineh to Asian realities. [email protected]; [email protected] Cluster: Global Asia Cluster: Global Asia ince 2010, IIAS and partners in Africa, Asia and the USA have been working on an initiative to promote the study Sof and teaching on Asia at African universities. The initiative constitutes a first attempt to sustain a humanities-informed South-South knowledge platform with connections between other academic centres in Europe and North America, but also Latin-America and Oceania. A roundtable in Chisamba, Zambia International (2012) led to the establishment of the pan-African ‘Association of Asian Studies in Africa’ (A-ASIA). A-ASIA held its three-day Convention of Asia inaugural conference in Accra, Ghana, in September 2015, entitled Africa-Asia, a New Axis of Knowledge. Organised with the support Scholars (ICAS) of the International Convention of Asia Scholars (ICAS) and IIAS, it was the first conference held in Africa to bring together a multidisciplinary ensemble of scholars and institutions from the continent and the rest of the world with a shared focus on Asia and Asia-Africa intellectual interactions. ith its biennial conferences, Ten conventions have been held since 1997 International Convention of Asia (Leiden, Berlin, Singapore, Shanghai, Kuala Lumpur, Next conference: Africa-Asia, a New Axis of Knowledge – WScholars (ICAS) is the largest Daejon, Honolulu, Macao, Adelaide, and Chiang Mai). Second Edition, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, 20-22 September global forum for academics and civil society 2018. Also see p.49 in this issue. exchange on Asia. Founded in 1997 at the ICAS 11 will be held in Leiden, the Netherlands, initiative of IIAS, ICAS serves as a platform 16-19 July 2019. http://www.icas.asia/africas for scholars, social and cultural leaders, and Cluster: Global Asia institutions focusing on issues critical to Asia, Deadline Call for Proposals: 10 October 2018. and, by implication, the rest of the world. Also see p.3 in this issue. The ICAS biennial conferences are organised in cooperation with local universities, cities Website: www.icas.asia and institutions and attended by scholars IIAS/ICAS secretariat: and other experts, institutions and publishers Paul van der Velde [email protected] from 60 countries. ICAS also organises the biennial ‘ICAS Book Prize’ (IBP), which awards the most prestigious prizes in the field of Asian Studies for books and PhD theses in English, Korean, Chinese, French and German (more language editions are planned for the future). 54 The Network IIAS Fellowship

IIAS Fellowship Along with the research fellows who are attached to one of the IIAS research programmes, the Institute yearly hosts a large number of visiting Programme researchers (affiliated fellows) who come to Leiden to work on their own individual research project. In addition, IIAS also facilitates the teaching and research by various professorial fellows as part of agreements with Dutch universities, foreign ministries and funding organisations.

Current Fellows

Mehdi Amineh Melinda Fodor Neena Talwar Kanungo William Peterson Xiaosen Song Coordinator Energy Programme The Ānandasundarī by The arrival of digital Asian self-representation Vietnamese women in the Asia (EPA) Ghanaśyāma. A revised critical democracy in India: social at World’s Fairs process of modern Vietnam’s 1 Sept 2007 – 31 March 2019 edition with annotated media and political parties 1 Jan 2018 – 30 June 2018 nation-building translation, introduction and 1 July 2016 – 30 June 2019 1 Oct 2017 – 30 Sep 2018 Kunthea Chhom glossary of selected words Saraju Rath Sanskrit elements in Old Khmer 1 March 2018 – 31 Aug 2018 Carola Erika Lorea Inscriptional, literary and Sanderien Verstappen language: a case-study of boons Metaphor, meaning and oral mercantile scripts of ancient Rerouting relations: and curses in epigraphy from Manpreet Kaur Janeja exegesis: the upside-down and medieval India navigating emergent Muslim ancient Cambodia The aesthetics of schools language of the songs of Sādhanā 1 Jan 2018 – 31 Dec 2018 and Hindu spaces in rural India 1 March 2018 – 31 May 2018 meals: distrust, risk and 1 Jan 2018 – 30 June 2018 1 Sept 2017 – 30 April 2019 uncertainty Rituparna Roy Jatin Dua 1 Oct 2017 – 31 July 2018 Charlotte Marchina Kolkata Partition Museum Tingfai Yu A sea of protection: piracy, trade, Rethinking land use in the era project Class as a method to localise and regulation in the Indian Ocean Pralay Kanungo of the Anthropocene 1 July 2017 – 30 June 2018 queer studies: towards 1 Oct 2016 – 31 July 2018 Indian politics (Mongolia, Russia, China) inter-Asian articulation Professor/ICCR Chair of 1 Feb 2018 – 31 Aug 2018 Bal Gopal Shrestha 1 April 2018 – 31 Jan 2019 Ana Dragojlovic Contemporary India Studies Religiosity among the Politics of queer affect: (until 30 June 2018) Katsunori Miyazaki Nepalese Diaspora Qiaoyun Zhang intentionality, mediation, inter- 1 Sep 2013 – 30 June 2019 Research of the Siebold 1 Jan 2015 – 31 Dec 2018 Cultural heritagization in times vention in Indisch memory work Collection of crisis: a Chinese experience 1 June 2018 – 31 January 2019 1 April 2018 – 9 Sep 2019 1 Sept 2017 – 30 June 2018

In the spotlight

political and social ‘cultural diversity’ and forms of ‘integration’ of Waiting (Bloomsbury 02/2018); forth- demands, with relative in an increasingly volatile Europe. coming presentations/discussions including degrees of success. I have conducted a pilot project (Waiting those in Brussels, Copenhagen, and Edinburgh Located against the for Food in India) on Mid-Day Meals in urban (annual-workshop of the Bangladesh Studies backdrop of such issues, schools which will form the basis of a future Network I initiated, now in its fourth year). Manpreet K. Janeja my current monograph, research initiative. Future research plans Engaging with the inviting range of lunch-time the focus of my IIAS also include further developing interests lectures at IIAS and seminars across Leiden’s fellowship, is grounded in gender, youth, and migration in cities Humanities and Social Sciences institutes/ in long-term ethnographic across Europe and Asia. After excitingly hectic networks, Leiden University’s fabulous library The aesthetics of school meals: fieldwork on school meals in England. years of getting a new education programme resources, Amsterdam University’s stimulating (dis)trust, risk, and uncertainty The Aesthetics of School Meals: (Dis)trust, off the ground, in addition to teaching anthropology walking-seminars in the Risk, and Uncertainty (under contract) is an and administration under the aegis of my Dutch dunes, and the immensely rewarding Food insecurity and malnutrition urban ethnography of the anxious everyday academic job, the IIAS fellowship has offered intellectual and social interactions with fellow continue to be matters of concern engagements of Muslim/Hindu migrants of me a tranquil and congenial space to explore fellows at IIAS are making this fellowship “globally. They generate various South-Asian (Indian/Bangladeshi/Pakistani) possibilities of harnessing some of these ideas, an unforgettable experience. Adding to this contested interventions such as the National heritage in England with ‘healthy’ school and initiating conversations with scholars in further, are the warm and welcoming IIAS Healthy Schools Programme (UK) and the meals as entangled in wider historical Leiden and Amsterdam across disciplines, staff, and the Spring Outings to the marvellous Mid-Day Meal Scheme (India), underpinned and variegated networks of perceived risks including anthropology, history, philosophy, Dutch art museums, the lovely tulip-fields by visions of the ‘inclusive growth’ of ‘healthy and uncertainties. It unpacks the interactions and area studies. The fellowship continues in the ‘Keukenhof’ and the stately ‘Binnenhof’ publics’ in ‘food-secure healthy futures’. of health with the dynamics of (dis)trust to give me opportunities to interact with Dutch government complex in The Hague. Such schemes have sought to manage issues and mistrust integral to such networks, diverse audiences through: research And of course, for the foodie and food of hunger, inequality, taste, nutritional thereby revealing implications for seminars; a planned event at IIAS with anthropologist in me, the plethora of stalls guidelines, and socio-cultural norms and configurations of ‘public health’ and Michael Herzfeld (Harvard University) on my at the Leiden Saturday market along the practices amidst changing economic, ‘multiculturalism’, amidst calls to rethink just-released co-edited book Ethnographies canal is an absolute delight!”

this imported model of themselves in the environment that they from a purely academic world who, due dealing with land and share with other (non-human) beings. to my work on sustainability-related issues the local perspectives My seven-month stay in Leiden (February- is increasingly receiving requests from on their relationship August 2018) is dedicated to data processing field professionals (NGO, embassy staff), with the environment and the writing. I am currently working on I hugely benefit from the framework of Charlotte Marchina that that exist among my first monograph (to be published both interconnected academic and non-academic the Mongolian herders in French and English) that will address the fields of expertise. in Mongolia, Russia spatial and political features of Mongolian I myself am committed to the transfer and China. nomadic pastoralism. Although very few of knowledge to wider audiences of non- INALCO - Institut National des According to Mongolian beliefs and researchers here in the social sciences are specialists, in particular by varying the Langues et Civilisations Orientales practices, the landscape is inhabited working on Mongolia and Siberia, thanks tools and media, in past and future projects Rethinking land use in the Era by invisible entities, master spirits of the to IIAS’ extended network, I could quickly (photograph exhibitions, book of proverbs, of the Anthropocene land (gazryn ezen). Traditionally, humans connect with researchers from Dutch graphic novel...). In this respect, it was a huge (Mongolia, Russia, China) should not disturb them, and must preserve universities (e.g., Amsterdam, Utrecht, privilege to meet, during my first weeks in the environmental resources. It is people Nijmegen) working on related issues in other Netherlands, Joost Grootens, a Dutch graphic My current research deals with land who belong to a place, and not the other geographical areas. Seldom have I had such designer whose work I admire a lot. It is use in Mongolian nomadic pastoralism. way round. Therefore, land privatisation an opportunity to expand and strengthen very likely that he will design the numerous “Under the influence of the market implemented by the Russian and Chinese my own international network. maps included in the book I am working economy and western world views, land governments creates challenging meeting IIAS offers me a fantastic opportunity on. Last but not least, coming back to the as private property has become widespread. points in terms of the existing relationships to think and write in a stimulating environ- Netherlands, where, in a previous life I lived for The aim of this project is an in-depth study with the land. I investigate how Mongol ment that encompasses not only different nine years and which I still consider to be my of the confrontations, assimilations and herders, in the three countries where they disciplines and areas, but also academic and second home, turns this already remarkable negotiations that occur in the tension between live, redefine, or not, the role they assign non-academic expertise. As a researcher opportunity into a unique experience.” The Newsletter No. 80 Summer 2018 55 IIAS Fellowship The Network

Qiaoyun Zhang

Cultural heritagization in times of crisis: a Chinese experience Apply for an As a fellow of the Asian Heritages cluster IIAS fellowship at IIAS and a cultural anthropologist, “I have mainly been working on a project The International Institute for Asian Studies titled ‘Cultural heritagization in times of (IIAS) in Leiden, the Netherlands, invites crisis: a Chinese experience’, investigating outstanding researchers to apply for an IIAS if, and how, heritagization is an effective fellowship to work on a relevant piece of measure for the culturally-sensitive recovery research in the social sciences and humanities. of the Qiang ethnic minority in South China, following the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake. We are particularly interested in researchers Based on 15 months of dissertation fieldwork focusing on one of the Institute’s three thematic and building on my dissertation analyses, research clusters: ‘Asian Heritages’, ‘Global Asia’ I explore three aspects of the Chinese and ‘Asian Cities’. However, some positions state-led nomination of Qiang culture for the will be reserved for outstanding projects in any status of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH), area outside of those listed. and the resulting safeguarding practices after it was awarded, as a means to rescue Become For more information about our research and protect the Qiang culture. First, I examine clusters, see pp.52-53 of this issue of the how the heritage regime and audit culture Newsletter and www.iias.asia influence the urgent heritagization planning after the earthquake. Secondly, I look at heritagization as a process of knowledge Combine your production and identity formation for an IIAS IIAS fellowship with the Qiang and the Chinese state. Finally, two extra months I reflect on the radical transformation of research in Paris of the perceptions and practices of the Qiang ICH, and the ICH-centered cultural When applying for an IIAS Fellowship, you recovery planning in China. Fellow may also choose to apply for an additional The 10-month fellowship at IIAS has two months of research at the Collège d’études greatly helped me accomplish this project. mondiales of the Fondation Maison des sciences Obtaining the fellowship soon after my de l’homme (CEM-FMSH), in Paris, France. PhD helped me grow into a more mature scholar-teacher at one of the world’s IIAS Fellowship Collaborating with IIAS, CEM-FMSH has leading research institutions on Asian Studies. agreed to provide three two-month fellowships I am first and foremost grateful for the each year for scholars who have been awarded colleagues I have met at the institute. possibilities and an IIAS fellowship. This grant from CEM-FMSH Not only did we share and constructively will enable selected candidates to carry out comment on each other’s work, we also research in Paris for a further two months formed a scholarly community, through immediately after their stay in Leiden. workshops and forging future collaborations. requirements Secondly, IIAS provides an extremely If you are interested in this option, please comfortable and friendly working environ- complete the relevant section of the IIAS ment that allows me to concentrate on my application form. research and writing, thereby assisted by the always readily available support from Application deadlines: the IIAS staff. Thirdly, the libraries and other 1 March and 1 October research resources made available to me by the institute are invaluable. The newly opened Leiden University Asian Library is undoubtedly one of the best of its kind. Fourthly, working in Leiden and within close proximity to the University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Free University and other institutions, I am able to engage in conversations and lectures with experts in China Studies, Anthropology, Emergency Management Studies and Heritage Studies. Finally, Leiden is absolutely a lovely place to live and study. As a Chinese scholar Apply for an Apply for a trained in the USA, the IIAS fellowship offers me a precious cultural journey into the IIAS-ASCL fellowship Gonda fellowship European continent for the very first time. I have spent a very productive and The IIAS-ASCL joint fellowship is intended For promising young Indologists at the pleasant time At IIAS. In addition to the for researchers specialising in Asian-African post-doctorate level it is possible to apply aforementioned project, I contributed an interactions. It aims to attract researchers for funding with the J. Gonda Foundation article to the Focus section of this issue whose work is informed by current of the Royal Netherlands Academy of (pp.36-37), and a review of a book about theoretical debates, in the Social Sciences Arts and Sciences (KNAW) to spend three the Wenchuan earthquake recovery to and Humanities, on global connectivities to six months doing research at IIAS. newbooks.asia. I wrote a number of other and who are able to critically engage with articles on homeland reconstruction and shifting paradigms in ‘area studies’ beyond Application deadlines: disaster tourism and revised my dissertation the ways in which these have traditionally 1 April and 1 October for publication. Moreover, I gave five lectures been conceived in the West. in and outside Leiden and developed inspiring friendships with colleagues worldwide. Application deadlines: The valuable resources and sweet memories 15 March and 15 September gained through such intellectual exposure and international experience are definitely distinguishing assets for my future work as a university professor and cultural scholar.”

Also read Qiaoyun Zhang’s article Information and application forms: “Heritage making after the earthquake. Safeguarding the intangible heritage www.iias.asia/fellowships of the Qiang people in China” in the Focus section of this issue. 56 Asian art Exploring exhibitions of Asian art The Portrait all over the world.

A museum for the living history of Asia

Museu do Oriente. Lisbon, Portugal www.museudooriente.pt Speaking to ancient beliefs Museu do Oriente’s second leading collection, Kwok On, is dedicated to Asian performing arts, their founding narratives and popular religions. traddling past and present, art and from European patrons, exotic materials This is an ethnographic collection that views anthropology, memory and actuality, and traditional techniques were applied objects in relation to their respective context, SMuseu do Oriente in Lisbon is dedicated to western typologies, resulting in culturally uses and symbolic power. Kwok On was donated to the cultural dialogue between Portugal and layered, syncretic pieces. to Fundação Oriente in 1999 by French sinologist Asia, presented through objects and narratives. Namban art is one such example. The term Jacques Pimpaneau, who in turn had received refers to the Japanese artistic style born it from Chinese theatre enthusiast and collector Opened to the public in 2008, the museum of the contacts between the Japanese and Kwok On, in 1971. is the flagship project of Fundação Oriente in the Namban-jin or ‘Southern barbarians’ Initially composed of some 600 objects Portugal, and is steered by the foundation’s from Europe, more specifically Portugal pertaining exclusively to Chinese dramatic overall mission to foster mutual knowledge and Spain. Many of the pieces created bore arts, under the guidance of Mr. Pimpaneau between Portugal and the Asian territories it is witness to their unique historical moment. and the stewardship of the foundation, the historically linked to. In addition to exhibitions, The folding ‘Namban screen’ shown in collection has grown in size and diversity. the Museum hosts a program of activities from Portuguese Presence in Asia is a veritable Every year, a mission is undertaken to procure live performances to workshops and lectures, visual account of the early encounters new pieces but also get in touch with local anchored around its two main collections – between the Portuguese and the Japanese. artisans and communities. At present, it Portuguese Presence in Asia and Kwok On. Dated to the Edo period (1615 -1868) in the exceeds 13.000 artefacts. Geographically, Inviting dialogue with contemporary artists, style of the Kano school, it depicts the arrival it spans the whole of Asia, including India, researchers, institutions and communities, of the kurofone or black trade ship coming Indonesia, Cambodia, and Thailand. these collections are as distinct as they are from Macao, with its procession of clergymen, Kwok On documents puppet theatres from complementary. merchants, noblemen, slaves and interpreters, Turkey to China. It represents Noh, Kabuki and whose unfamiliar facial features, attire and Bunraku theatre from Japan, Koothyattam accessories are minutely painted against and Kathali theatre from India, Chinese opera, Exchange of influences a typical one-dimensional gold background. Khon Thai from Thailand and Tazieh theatre Assembled through a policy of acquisitions Even more impressive, the collection features from Iran. Highly codified and stylised, Asian by Fundação Oriente since its inception in an extremely rare Namban helmet, a hybrid performing arts represent the history and 1988, Portuguese Presence in Asia integrates piece replicating a Western design, made mythologies intrinsic to the daily life of these around 3000 works of decorative arts, from traditional Japanese materials such cultures, thus playing a crucial role in identity including furniture, lacquer work, silver and as washi paper and lacquer. This is the only building. This means that Kwok On artefacts, gold-smithery, ivory carvings, porcelain specimen of its kind on display in Europe. though datable in terms of production, speak and textiles, as well as paintings, sculptures, As the political and geo-strategic world to ancient practices and beliefs that have books and maps. It strives primarily to illustrate map shifted, and borders were redrawn, remained relevant nowadays. This is one of Portugal’s pursuits in the East, driven by trade, Europe-Asia relations changed, but the Far the collection’s most engaging aspects. evangelisation, and cultural exchange. As the East – perceived as exotic, opulent and foreign, Currently, The Chinese Opera is on display, country set out to become a seafaring trade oftentimes tinged with a hint of decadence and featuring lavishly ornamented costumes, and military power, strongholds were danger – continued to enthral Westerners, from headdresses, make-up models, puppets, established in Goa, Malacca, Siam, Timor academics to artists, travellers, and writers. prints and musical instruments. Traditional and Macao. People and goods travelled along Throughout the 1800s, this fascination would Chinese opera is an elaborate form of drama the new spice routes and a steady exchange spark a surge in systematic collecting, geared and musical theatre; an amalgamation of aesthetic influences and knowhow ensued. towards a museum-like representation of old of singing, pantomime, acrobatics, martial Top left: Above: As local craftsmen received commissions civilizations and the diverse mosaic of Asian arts. arts and dance. Encompassing several Chinese opera: entrance Namban folding screen Thus, Portuguese Presence in Asia also regional styles, the diversity of opera rivals of Characters section (detail). Six-panel folding focuses on European collections of artworks its longevity. Though the Cultural Revolution of the exhibition. Three screen. Japan, Edo of the four tipologies of period (1615-1868). and archaeological pieces from the Far East, tried to turn it into a political tool, the opera Chinese opera costumes Wood (frame), paper, assembled in the 1800s and early 20th century. experienced a revival from 1976 onwards (jing, dan and chou). pigment and gold leaf. Chief among the exhibits is a series of Chinese and has now regained its standing as one Photo: Nuno Vieira. FO/06333. Photo: Photography Neolithic ceramics dating back to 3000 BC, of China’s foremost cultural treasures. Top right: Hugo Maertens-Bruges. funerary terracottas and a range of porcelain In presenting both Portuguese Presence Princess headdress. China, pieces in varying designs and decorative styles in Asia and Kwok On, Museu do Oriente Beijing, c.1980. Synthetic Bottom left: predating the ubiquitous blue-and-white. Here offers a many-sided view of Asian arts and materials, paper, metal, Namban helmet textile. Headdress for (Namban Boshi). Japan, are also shown remarkable pieces on extended traditions through time, as they resonate a female character (dan), Momoyana (1573/1615) loan from other Portuguese national museums, across religion and society. worn by a princess. /Edo (1615-1868) period, such as the Camilo Pessanha and the Manuel Museu do Oriente/Kwok c. 1600. Washi paper On collection/5.5.1C45. and lacquer. FO/0555. Teixeira Gomes bequests, from the Machado Rute Paredes ©Fundação Oriente. Photo: Photography de Castro National Museum. Communication Department Photo: João Silveira Ramos. Hugo Maertens-Bruges.