Encouraging knowledge and enhancing the study of Asia iias.asia 8684 The Newsletter

The Study Asian migration studies

The Focus Waste and social mobilisation

The Region Economic and social effects of the pandemic 2 Contents In this edition of the Focus

From the Director 3 Nurturing community during COVID-19 Environmental issues, ICAS 12 and the IBP 2021 4 Crafting a Global Future social activism and The ICAS Book Prize Story 5-9 The ICAS Book Prize: A multilingual policy challenges window on the world of Asian studies Paul van der Velde Aysun Uyar Makibayashi Environmental change issues, both sudden shocks and gradual changes have been forcing states, The Study communities and individuals to transform their 10-11 The lilong: A new ways of coping with these adversities. Recently, not concept of home in only governmental and state-to-state international Gregory Bracken 12-13 Asian migration studies: Recent initiatives but also non-state interactions are joining publications and new directions the decision-making processes through their public Michiel Baas discussions, demonstrations and official involvement 14-15 May Fourth at 100 in Singapore in the actual processes of law-making with regard and : Memorialization, to these environmental change issues. This short localization, and negotiation Els van Dongen and David Kenley Focus section pays attention to this multi-level 16-17 Ode to the ‘little sun’: Everyday involvement of our societies to the policy challenges thermal practice and energy and policy transformation processes of the local, infrastructure in (China) national and international decision makers to face Madlen Kobi 18 Asian Studies in Pakistan and bring more responsive as well as responsible Gul-i-Hina Shahzad solutions for our pending environmental change issues. Academic partnership, social activism, mass The Review mobilisation and raising awareness about day to day adjustments to these ongoing environmental 19-25 Selected reviews from newbooks.asia changes, as well as people’s understanding of 26-27 New reviews on newbooks.asia 28 New titles on newbooks.asia already changing concepts of environmental and social changes, are some of the main issues raised The Focus in the articles of this Focus. 29-30 En vironmental issues, social activism and policy challenges Aysun Uyar Makibayashi 31-33 Fr om cyberspace to the streets: Emerging environmental paradigm of justice and citizenship in Vietnam Quang Dung Nguyen 34-35 W aste and social mobilisation: Anthropological explorations beyond Asia and Europe Judith Schlehe 36-37 The Green Ger Village Master Plan: University cooperation and achieving the SDGs The Newsletter is a free periodical In this issue Patricia Chica-Morales published by the International Institute I would like to start by expressing my and Antonio J. Domenech for Asian Studies (IIAS). As well as extreme gratitude for everyone who contributed 38-39 En vironmental challenges of to this issue. I have been most impressed with international migration in East Asia serving as a forum for scholars to share everyone’s commitment to deliver, despite the demanding circumstances. It wasn’t easy, but Aysun Uyar Makibayashi research, commentary and opinion with together we managed to compile yet another colleagues in academia and beyond, fantastic issue. Many thanks! We hope you will all join us in Kyoto next The Region The Newsletter is also a window into year for ICAS 12. Find details about submitting the Institute. Information about the a proposal to the conference, and your titles 1 40-4 News from Australia and the Pacific to the Book Prize, on p.4 of this issue. 42-44 News from Southeast Asia programmes and activities of IIAS On pp.5-9, IBP General Secretary Paul 45-47 China Connections can be found in the Network pages van der Velde, tells us the ‘Story of the IBP’. Read about its beginnings and how it grew of each issue of The Newsletter. into the largest book prize of its kind. Three of our regional editors have The Network contributed to this issue: The Asia Institute 948-4 Humanities across Borders Programme in Melbourne, NYU Shanghai and Fudan he International Institute for Asian University, and the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute 50 IIAS Fellowship Programme Studies (IIAS) is a global Humanities in Singapore. Find their articles on pp.40-47. 51 Announcements Tand Social Sciences institute and a The report on pp.48-49 is the latest 52-53 IIAS Research knowledge exchange platform, based in update of a project in the IIAS Humanities Leiden, the Netherlands, with programmes across Borders programme: ‘Retelling the that engage Asian and other international neighbourhood’. partners. IIAS takes a thematic and multi- Our fellows and latest announcements The Portrait sectoral approach to the study of Asia can be found on pp.50-51; IIAS research 54-55 For gotten Faces. Visual Presentation and actively involves scholars and experts programmes, networks and other initiatives of Trauma and Mass Killing in Asia from different disciplines and regions in its are described in brief on pp.52-53; and activities. Our current thematic research on pp.54-55 you will find the beautifully Charles B. Wang Center, clusters are ‘Asian Heritages’, ‘Asian Cities’ haunting images of this issues’ Portrait: Stony Brook University and ‘Global Asia’. ‘Forgotten Faces’. The Newsletter No. 86 Summer 2020 3 From the Director

The Newsletter is a free periodical published by IIAS. As well as being a window into the institute, The Newsletter Nurturing community also links IIAS with the community of Asia scholars and the worldwide public Below: IIAS staff keeping interested in Asia and Asian in touch through online during COVID-19 meetings. studies. The Newsletter bridges the gap between specialist knowledge and public discourse, and continues to serve as a forum for scholars to share Philippe Peycam research, commentary and opinion with colleagues in academia and beyond.

Postal address PO Box 9500 2300 RA Leiden The Netherlands

Visitors Rapenburg 59 Leiden T +31 (0) 71-527 2227 [email protected]

Colophon The Newsletter No. 86 Summer 2020 Managing editor: Sonja Zweegers midst the anxieties and grief brought concentrates on the value of a dignified life in networks we have created so as to deepen Guest editor for The Focus: on by the COVID-19 pandemic, IIAS its multiple expressions. This idea is certainly each other’s experience and mission. Aysun Uyar Makibayashi A– a mediating space for dialogue and compounded by the sentiment that COVID - Systematically anchoring activities in Regional editors: generation of knowledge on, in and with is just one of nature’s responses to human contexts, at regional, national, and local Edwin Jurriëns and Andy Fuller Asia – is witnessing the disruption of many hubris, and that it is yet another warning levels, based on respect for the diversity (Asia Institute in Melbourne), of its activities and plans. Many programmed against a global ecological crisis that is of conditions and an equal belief in Su-Ann Oh (ISEAS–Yusof Ishak events have been either cancelled or ahead of us. Economic and social disparities trans-local trans-cultural understanding. Institute), Fan Zhang (NYU postponed indefinitely. Our sense of purpose may appear less acceptable now, especially - Moving beyond the narrowly Shanghai). and way of functioning as a global-local when the effects of the virus tend to reinforce individualistic, fragmented model The Review pages editor: platform of engaged scholarship is being put them, with large swaths of society, in both of scholarship through processes of Wai Cheung to the test. Yet, with the little hindsight we the global North and South, left without collective deliberation around themes The Network pages editor: already have, I can say that the confinement jobs, education or healthcare. Observing the that have the potential to produce Sandra Dehue period, if at first unsettling, is somehow fact that service providers hitherto deemed transformative shared outcomes. Digital issue editor: turning into a meaningful experience for subalterns – nurses, cleaners, carers, farmers, - Innovation through creative disruption Thomas Voorter us. We, like so many other organisations all postal workers, and so forth – enabled us to by bringing into contact peoples, ideas Graphic Design: around the world, have had no choice but continue to live our lives under lockdown, is and approaches otherwise unlikely to Paul Oram to brace ourselves and to reflect upon our the kind of collective realisation that is bound interrelate; to support ‘experiential’ Lava mission and methods. To what extent can to drastically alter our perceptions of the meeting formats that can instil IIAS’s mode of functioning withstand the world, of the role of youth, of the falsity of new debates, and encourage new Printing: EPC, Belgium challenges of navigating the present crisis artificial structures, and the space of action consciousness or solutions. and its future unfolding? and reflection that is needed to recalibrate - Consciously choreograph these multiple social relations at large. innovations-disruptions to create Submissions To ensure that the IIAS team would not turn Against these needs and aspirations arising conducive situations for new conviviality, Issue #87: 15 July 2020 into an assortment of scattered colleagues, from a new urgency impinging upon both new meanings, new understandings. Issue #88: 1 Dec 2020 left to work on their separate tasks in isolation, global and local actors, IIAS stands as a model One word can sum up IIAS’s post-COVID Issue #89: 15 March 2021 our first decision was to organise everyone of engaged scholarship. The institute has method of action and resolve, rarely used for into virtual ‘working groups’, with the aim long taken steps that in the present context an academic institution: community, or the to synchronise our actions and shape them have become even more relevant: initiate art of community formation and community Submission enquiries into broader collective efforts. One of the [email protected] and assist programmes that instil inclusive nurturing. Concretely this means that we at More information: underlying issues we sought to address was the local grounding while supporting meaningful IIAS believe that people will still want to meet iias.asia/the-newsletter extent to which our actions would respond to interactions at the global level; and make in person, to discover, exchange and learn the emerging needs and aspirations of not only a commitment to a sense of commonality to ‘unlock’ themselves. They will still travel, the staff, but also the resident and incoming in which differences are respected while but for better reasons than to conform to a Free subscriptions fellows, project partners and colleagues at mutual understanding through reasoned narrow academic habitus. To this communal Go to: iias.asia/subscribe large, that might result from the COVID crisis. thinking is sought after. IIAS’s ‘touch’ is its desire must be added a shared aspiration To unsubscribe, to make changes National borders were closed and capacity to reach out to human experiences, for situated knowledge, hence the need for (e.g., new address), or to order international travel was brought to a near- wherever they are, without the mediation of organically shaped multi-purpose events or multiple copies: [email protected] complete standstill. Yet, this new exploration artificial boundaries or hierarchies imposed by activities for which online instruments are of the local, at the expense of what had disciplinary, institutional or national structures. used to the extent that they include and Rights perhaps become an addictive dependence on What now appears even more essential facilitate, not become an end in themselves. Responsibility for copyrights and the global, may paradoxically not necessarily is IIAS’s combined sets of approaches: Take the International Convention of Asia for facts and opinions expressed mean the end to universally framed concerns at the same time a research facilitator, Scholars (ICAS). During confinement, with no in this publication rests exclusively and interests. On the contrary, thanks a network builder, a pedagogical enabler, clear outlook as to when preparation work for with authors. Their interpretations mainly to social and digital media, people a cross-sector knowledge disseminator and ICAS 12 in Kyoto could resume, we, together do not necessarily reflect the views and communities have become even more a promoter of dialogue between cultures with our partners at Kyoto Seika University, of the institute or its supporters. receptive, more dependent on each other, a and communities. For instance, when decided to stick to our original plan to hold Reprints only with permission from realisation reinforced by the fact that each and put together, the IIAS fellowships, in situ the ICAS biennial conference on 24-27 August the author and The Newsletter every region of the world has experienced the editor [email protected] graduate schools, and publication and 2021. In the midst of the lockdown, we took crisis almost simultaneously. An urge to return dissemination instruments, define IIAS’s role the stand that people will want to meet again to a simpler approach to the basic elements of as a facilitator of research. Likewise, the and that ICAS’s unique ecology of knowledge iias.asia life has been coupled with an enhanced desire institute’s border-transcending initiatives link exchange, built on multiple collaborations, to transcend cultures and geographies around academic endeavours with other practices and modified to foster a combination of shared values and aspirations. The recent of knowledge in such a way that they enrich physical and digital connectivity, will continue demonstrations across the world – from Tokyo each other’s texture; initiatives such as the to thrive. We have no doubt that people will to Santiago, from Delhi to London – against pioneering pedagogical model developed by still want to enrich themselves by partaking systemic racism, following the tragic killing the programme ‘Humanities across Borders’ in more than one exchange format because of George Floyd in the United States, is an (HaB), or the direct civic interventions enacted knowledge and its clarification occurs through example of the emergence of this new by the institute-coordinated Southeast Asia dialogue and in conversation with each collective consciousness. Neighborhoods Network (SEANNET). other, in moments when one least expects. I see this as pertinent to a shared desire Within the organisation, a number of post- Thanks to these deeply ingrained for basic solidarity – between generations, COVID resolutions are what will help IIAS to convictions, helped by a few additional between societies and segments of society – further its mission and unique methodology. innovations and resolutions, I believe IIAS a sentiment born out of the threat of a socially I see them growing around already existing and its team will not only weather the COVID blind virus. In terms of a human life, the strengths of the institute: crisis and its consequences, but will come idea is emerging of a common shared space - From collaboration to mutualisation: out of it stronger. that cannot be infringed upon for narrow allowing other partners and projects economic or power gains, a basic realm that to (reciprocally) use the platforms and Philippe Peycam, Director IIAS Crafting a Global Future Kyoto, Japan 24-27 August 2021 Davide Grieco on unsplash.com

The ICAS Dissertation years the numbers have grown enormously, with around 150 submissions for IBP 2019. Awards The qualities that make a dissertation the ICAS 12 – Call for Proposals Question: what do studies of the everyday best in its category are hardly unexpected life of 18- Swedish East India – originality, intellectual quality, depth of The 12th International Convention of Asia Scholars (ICAS 12) will be Company employees, Santal architectural research, significant conclusions that make it history, gay life in 21st century Manila, and of interest to the wider field, properly thought held in Kyoto, the cultural heart of Japan, from 24-27 August 2021, 19th century Iranian portrait photography and out theoretical and organisational framework, in the iconic Kyoto International Conference Center. The city is Persian painting, have in common? Answer: and so on – but the very best works have famous for its world-heritage sites, temples, gardens, palaces they have all won an ICAS Award for the something else. They attract, they intrigue, and craft centres. Best Dissertation in the Humanities or Social they quite simply shine and demand that Kyoto Seika University (SEIKA) will be the main host of ICAS 12. Sciences. (The full list of previous winners can they be published and read by a wide Delivering programmes to more than 3,500 students across five be found at https://icas.asia/previous-ibp). audience of Asia scholars. faculties – Art, Design, Manga, Popular Culture and Humanities Since its inception in 1998 when the first Winning an Award or an Accolade, or being ICAS conference was held in Leiden (The on the Shortlist or even the Longlist, entails – SEIKA promotes a spirit of independence and freedom through Netherlands), the International Convention more than a cash prize or certificate. It brings progressive, liberal and humanistic education. of Asia Scholars has become the largest the dissertation to the notice of academic Participate at ICAS 12 in Kyoto and enjoy a multitude of gathering of its kind in the world. The ICAS publishers, who are naturally keen to acquire networking opportunities, possibilities to share your research, Book Prize (IBP) was instituted by ICAS the best works, and provides a considerable meet with publishers, and participate in cultural activities. Secretary Paul van der Velde for ICAS 4 in boost to a younger scholar's resume, greatly Shanghai (2005), which also from the start improving their chances of building an included an Award for Best Dissertation academic career. That was the intention in Deadline 1 October 2020 in Asian studies. Two conventions later, at establishing the Awards, and the presence Full call for proposals and submissions portal at ICAS 6 in Daejeon (2009), the Dissertation of numerous academic publishers at each Awards started to recognise two categories, ICAS gives winners the very best opportunity https://icas.asia/icas12-cfp Humanities and Social Sciences. Following to arrange publication of their work. this development, Reading Committee The ICAS Dissertation Awards have always Accolades were added in both categories so been about giving newly endowed PhDs those as to recognise dissertations that, while not opportunities. While the ‘submit by 1 October’ of the standard of the main Award Winner, date is indeed fixed, the organisers have represented the best work in a specific area: always retained a certain flexibility with (1) Most Accessible and Captivating Work regard to other aspects, recognising the ways for the Non-specialist Reader; (2) Specialist in which new technologies can impact on the Dissertation; and (3) Ground-breaking/ format of a PhD, understanding ‘Asia’ in the Innovative Subject Matter. broadest sense, and encouraging submissions The Reading Committee, generally from any recognised Institute that awards composed of previous Award or Accolade PhDs in the English language. winners, takes on the task of reading and The submission process could hardly be assessing the entries. Committee members simpler. Anyone can enter their dissertation first produce a public Longlist of the leading online at https://icas.asia/icas-book-prize-2021. contenders in each category, then a Shortlist, We encourage anyone whose doctoral and finally the Winners. The Winners of the dissertation is related to Asia, is written in The ICAS Book Prize 2021 – current edition will be announced at ICAS 12 English, has not previously been submitted in Kyoto (24-27 August 2021). The Committee to the IBP, and is dated post 1 June 2018, Call for Submissions also grants the Accolades, which are not to enter. necessarily dissertations that have made it onto the Longlist. The number of dissertations The biennial ICAS Book Prize (IBP) was established by ICAS in 2003. Alex McKay PhD, ICAS Dissertation submitted was low to begin with, but over the Reading Committee Chair The IBP is awarded to outstanding publications in the field of Asian Studies. It has created an international focus for publications on Asia, which has increased their worldwide visibility and recognition. For the current edition (IBP 2021), books in Chinese, English, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Russian, Spanish and Portuguese are eligible. For the English language edition we also welcome dissertations on Asia in the fields of Humanities and Social Sciences. Please consult the rules for eligibility before submitting a title.

Deadline 1 October 2020* Publishers, submit your publications at

https://icas.asia/icas-book-prize-2021 Leksa Lee, Winner of Authors, make sure your publisher knows the IBP 2019 Award for Best Dissertation about this competition! in the Social Sciences

* Deadline may vary for some of the language editions The Newsletter No. 86 Summer 2020 5 The IBP Story

The ICAS Book Prize: A multilingual window on the world of Asian studies

Paul van der Velde The International Convention of Asia Scholars (ICAS), founded in 1997, had its first gathering in Leiden (1998). During ICAS 2 in Berlin (2001) the ICAS Secretariat was officially founded, and since its creation it has been hosted and (partially) funded by the International Institute for Asian Studies (IIAS, Leiden, the Netherlands). After the success of the first two meetings the ICAS Secretariat decided to move its conferences into Asia, and ICAS 3 took place in Singapore (2003), in cooperation with the National University of Singapore. As to further establish its brand and position in the field of Asian studies, ICAS launched two significant initiatives: the ICAS Publication Series in cooperation with Amsterdam University Press (AUP), primarily based on articles presented during ICAS, and of course, the ICAS Book Prize (IBP).

ight from the start, the IBP was designed Turning the first page of the and social sciences. The IBP Reading was offered, including a return ticket to to be different in nature than the (few) ICAS Book Prize Committees consist of scholars in diverse ICAS, free lodging for the duration of the Rprizes in the field of Asian studies at disciplines, focusing on various regions, meeting, plus of course they could keep all that time. The existing prizes were limited to The main idea behind the ICAS Book working on and originating from different the submitted books. No wonder there were particular regions or disciplines, and often Prize (IBP) was to create, by way of a global continents: a composition that reflects the more than enough candidates to choose from. named after one of the professorial stars in competition, an international focus for transcending nature of ICAS. The first Reading Committee consisted of the field. Access to and judgement of the academic publications on Asia so as to The ICAS Secretariat approached a diverse four members, a secretary and a chair. They prizes tended to occur in a rather closed circle increase their visibility worldwide, also beyond group of participants of the first three ICAS originated from Asia, Australia, Europe and of familiarity, and was mostly resistant to academic circles. As a result, the IBP was meetings with the question if they would North America, and represented the broad outside interference. There was clearly room conceived as a general prize for academic be willing to become a member of the IBP fields of the humanities and social sciences for improvement and innovation. publications on Asia, in both the humanities Reading Committee. Excellent remuneration in relation to Asia.

IBP 2007, Kuala Lumpar

IBP Colleagues’ Choice Award Based on comments from ICAS 4 participants, the ICAS Secretariat was motivated to initiate the Colleagues’ Choice Award, in order to enable persons interested IBP 2005, Shanghai in Asia to cast a vote for their favourite book. This was only possible thanks to recent IT Nordin Hussin – the first winner of developments. An online polling system was the IBP Colleagues’ Choice Award. established, and voting was possible from All books on Asian topics ceremony, the jury citations were put on the mid-March to mid-July. Giving a voice to the The Reading Committee reviewed 80 books With a Reading Committee in place we ICAS website (where they can still be found) practitioners was in line with the ICAS bottom- and 10 dissertations. The members of the started promoting the IBP through various and shared with multiple Asia studies outlet, up approach to the field of Asian studies. Reading Committee were: Jennifer Holdaway, platforms, including the IIAS Newsletter. such as H-Asia. From the beginning we were aware of the Christopher Reed (winner of the IBP 2005 On page 42 of issue 34 (2004), the IBP was The winners of the first IBP were both fact that the winning title of the Colleagues’ Humanities), Paul van der Velde (Secretary), announced to the world for the first time: present at the Awards Ceremony. They Choice Award would not necessarily be the Anand Yang (Chair), and Guobin Yang. The “All scientific books published in 2003 and were Elizabeth C. Economy for her The River ‘best’ publication, but rather the book with an prizes were awarded by Deputy Prime Minister 2004 on Asian topics are eligible. Three Runs Black: The Environmental Challenge to author or publisher best equipped to mobilise Dato’seri Najib Tun Razak during the ICAS 5 prizes will be awarded: (1) best study in China's Future (Cornell University Press, 2004) votes for their publication. In order to be a Opening Ceremony at the Crowne Plaza Hotel the humanities; (2) best study in the social and Christopher Reed with his Gutenberg in successful author this is not an unimportant in Kuala Lumpur on 2 August 2007. sciences; and (3) best PhD dissertation.” We Shanghai: Chinese Print Capitalism, 1876- aspect of publishing. The winner of Best Book in the Humanities reached out to a large number of (academic) 1937 (UBC Press, 2003). Sam Wong was the The first winner of the IBP Colleagues’ was Madeleine Zelin, with her The Merchants publishers, who in general welcomed the first winner of the IBP Best Dissertation Award Choice Award was Nordin Hussin, working of Zigong (Columbia University Press, 2006); new concept. In all we received 38 books (23 with his thesis ‘Community participation at the Institute of Occidental Studies of the the winner of Best Book in the Social Sciences humanities and 15 social sciences) and five of Mainland Chinese migrants in Hong Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, the organising was Pei-Chia Lan and her Global Cinderellas. dissertations. The shortlists of three books Kong – rethinking agency, institutions and entity of ICAS 5. Here follows a part of the Migrant Domestics and Newly Rich Employers per category were made public during a brief authority in social capital theory’. As a prize, citation, which sheds light on why voters liked in (Duke University Press, 2006). ceremony in the ICAS exhibition booth at the his dissertation was published by AUP in the his book: “Without a doubt Trade and Society Winner of Best Dissertation in Asian studies Annual Meeting of the Association for Asian ICAS Publications Series: Exploring 'Unseen' in the Straits of Melaka: Dutch Melaka and was Karen Laura Thornber, for her thesis Studies (AAS) in Chicago on 1 April 2005. Social Capital in Community Participation. English Penang, 1780-1830 (NIAS Press, 2006) ‘Negotiating and Reconfiguring Japan and The Reading Committee met in Shanghai, Everyday Lives of Poor Mainland Chinese is a truly pioneering study of urban history, Japanese Literature in Polyintertextual East one day before the opening of ICAS 4, for final Migrants in Hong Kong (available from one that we rarely see in Southeast Asia. Asian Contact Zones: Japan, China, Korea, deliberations during the so-called ‘decision http://oapen.org). It was no small wonder This study compares Melaka and Penang in Taiwan’ (Harvard University). dinner’. The first IBP Awards Presentation took that three publications on China won prizes, the context of overall trends, namely, policy, For the first two editions of the IBP, place on 20 August 2005, in the Friendship Hall since a substantial part of the submitted geographical position, nature and direction the Reading Committee reached their final of the Shanghai Exhibition Center. At the end of books were about this upcoming political of trade, morphology and society, and how decisions during a dinner one day before the the ICAS Opening Ceremony the IBP Secretary and economic powerhouse. In a special these factors were influenced by trade as well Awards Presentation. After IBP 2007, it was presented the jury report, which was based on section of the IIAS Newsletter #37 - ‘Publishing as policies […] By documenting the impact of decided to expedite the decision-making citations provided by members of the Reading on Asia’ - this was further contextualised imperialist ambitions on the economy and process so that the shortlisted authors Committee. The IBP Awards Presentation would and a rich tapestry of publications on society of two major trading centres, this book could be informed earlier in the year, become a permanent feature of all future all parts of Asia were highlighted. will provide a point of reference for all future so as to increase the likelihood that they ICAS Opening Ceremonies. Shortly after the (https://issuu.com/iias/docs/iias_nl_37) research concerning the period.” could and would attend ICAS. 6 The ICAS Book Prize A multilingual window on The IBP Story the world of Asian studies

The 2009 winner of Best Book in the Humanities was Anthony Barbieri-Low, IBP 2009, Daejeon Artisans in Early Imperial China (University of Washington Press, 2007); the winner of Best Book in the Social Sciences was Anne E. Booth, Colonial Legacies: Economic and Social Development in East The network search and Southeast Asia (University of Hawai'i Press, 2007); Laurent Pordié was the winner for dissertations of the Colleagues’ Choice Award, for the The third IBP Awards Presentation took edited volume Tibetan Medicine in the place during ICAS 6, on 6 August 2009, Contemporary World: Global politics of in the Grand Ballroom of the newly built medical knowledge and practice (Routledge, Winner Birgit Abels (left) and Martina van den Haak. Daejeon Convention Center. The Awards 2008); Best Dissertation in the Humanities Winner Laurent Pordié (left) and Alex McKay were presented by the members of the was won by Birgit Abels for her thesis Reading Committee: Mehdi Amineh, Vinesh ‘Sounds of Articulating Identity: Tradition hundred, the dissertations were lagging with doctors. Whom better to ask than the IBP Hookomsingh, Xiaoming Huang, Alex MacKay, and Transition in the Music of Pulau’; and just 12 submissions, which were obviously only 2009 Best Dissertation winners: Birgit Abels Paul van der Velde, and Anand Yang. After the winner of Best Dissertation in the Social a fraction of all dissertations written on Asia (humanities) and Iza Hussin (social sciences). the ceremony, all ICAS 6 participants Sciences was Iza Hussin with ‘The Politics in English. What could be done to increase We invited them to scout for dissertations could pick up two free copies of the ICAS of Islamic Law: Local Elites and Colonial that number for the next IBP? We thought all over the world and use their growing Publications Series, of which eight were Authority in Malaya, India and Eygpt’. the best way to tackle this situation was to academic networks to at least double the launched during a special session with more While the number of books submitted put in place a special Reading Committee for number of dissertation submissions for than fifty editors and contributors present. for this edition of the IBP had neared one Dissertations, consisting of peers of the young the following IBP in 2011.

IBP 2011, Honolulu during the fourth edition: history, international relations and politics, whereas for the first IBP, literature, media, Islam (a newcomer), 65 percent of the books had literature, nationalism and state formation, been in the humanities and society religion and society. With such a 35 percent in the social wide diversity of excellent books we started sciences, it was completely thinking of ways to reward more books than the other way around for only the main winners. This was successfully the fourth edition. This developed for the next IBP in 2013. marked a clear shift in The IBP 2011 Reading Committee for the field of research from Books consisted of Manuela Ciotti, Derek Heng, traditional (orientalist) to Alex McKay, Khun Eng Kuah-Pearce, Paul van contemporary Asian studies. der Velde (Secretary) and Anand Yang (Chair). This also became clear in the The Reading Committee for Dissertations supplement of The Newsletter consisted of Birgit Abels and Iza Hussin. #56 ‘Asian Book Series as For the Humanities, Stein Tønnesson won Above: Iza Hussin (left) and Winner Imran bin Tajudeen (right). Global Currency’. Many of Best Book for his Vietnam 1946. How the War Left: IBP General Secretary Paul van der Velde. those featured series were Began (University of California Press, 2010), contemporary in nature and Carmen Perez Gonzalez won Best (https://issuu.com/iias/docs/ Dissertation for her ‘A Comparative Visual icas_nl56_supplement). Analysis of Nineteenth-Century Iranian From traditional to making it the biggest ever held in the field This was not the only shift we observed. Portrait Photography and Persian Painting’. of Asian studies. It was a clear signal to the We also saw a clear change in geographical The Reading Committees chose the following contemporary Asian studies outside world that Asian studies was alive backgrounds of the authors. During the winners in the category Social Sciences: The fourth IBP Awards Presentation took and kicking. first IBP only 10 percent of the participating Uradyn E. Bulag, Collaborative Nationalism. place on 1 April 2011 in the Kalakaua Ballroom The public relations campaign around the authors were of Asian descent; the fourth The Politics of Friendship on China’s of the Hawai’i Convention Center, during combined meeting also had a positive impact edition of the IBP saw a marked increase Mongolian Frontier (Rowman & Littlefield the Opening of ICAS 7; it was combined with on the number of books and dissertations to 40 percent. Asian studies were clearly Publishers, 2010) and Imran bin Tajudeen for the Ceremony of the seven Association for submitted to the IBP. Book numbers doubled more and more being carried out by his thesis ‘Constituting and Reconstructing Asian Studies (AAS) regional book prizes. while the number of dissertations even Asian scholars, yet their books (in English) the Vernacular Heritage of Maritime President of Ceremonies was four-time IBP tripled. The latter also implied that the newly continued to be predominantly published Emporia in Nusantara: Historic Adaption and Books Reading Committee Chair, Anand Yang, created IBP Dissertations Reading Committee by Western publishers. Unsurprisingly, a Contemporary Accentuations’. The public not only one of the pillars of the IBP but also had done an excellent job. In all, 174 books third of the books submitted for the IBP 2011 voted online for the winner of the Colleagues’ one of the promoters of the joint meeting of were submitted by more than 40 publishers were about East Asia, but Southeast Asia Choice Award. It went to Alexander Huang ICAS 7 and AAS in Honolulu, which took place worldwide; 75 in the humanities and 99 in the and South Asia also counted a large number and his Chinese Shakespeares. Two Centuries from 30 March to 3 April 2011. No less than five social sciences. A trend that had already been of publications. Popular themes were art and of Cultural Exchange (Columbia University thousand participants attended the meeting, noticeable in IBP 2009 became fully manifest culture, (post)colonial, gender and identity, Press, 2009).

IBP 2013, Macao the Accolades have included: Publisher’s The fifth IBP Awards Ceremony took place (University of California Press, 2012); Best Book Accolade for Outstanding Production Value; during ICAS 8, in The Venetian Macao Resort in the Social Sciences was received by Miriam Most Accessible and Captivating Work for The Hotel on 25 June 2013. The IBP 2013 was Kahn and her Tahiti. Beyond the Postcard. Non-Specialist Reader Accolade; Specialist sponsored by The Kingdom of the Netherlands Power, Place, and Everyday Life. (University of Publication Accolade; Ground-Breaking represented by the Consulate General in Hong Washington Press, 2011); Best Dissertation in Guide to the IBP and Subject Matter Accolade; Teaching Tool Kong and Macao; ICAS’ mother institution the Humanities was awarded to Birgit Tremml the addition of Reading Accolade; Best Art Book Accolade; and the and co-host, The International Institute for for her thesis ‘When Political Economies Meet: Committee Accolades Edited Volume Accolade. The Accolades bring Asian Studies; Amsterdam University Press; Spain, China and Japan in Manila, 1517-1644’; prestige rather than cash prizes with them, and the University of Macau. The members of Roberto Benedicto won the Best Dissertation in At ICAS 8 in Macau we celebrated the but all winners receive an IBP certificate, and the IBP 2013 Reading Committees were Birgit the Social Sciences for his thesis ‘Bright Lights, fifth edition of the IBP. Within one decade the some even proudly hang them on their wall. Abels, Michiel Baas, Sebastian Bersick, Annu Gay Globality. Mobility, Class, and Gay Life IBP had grown from an experiment with 38 To be a winner of an IBP Main Prize or Accolade, Jalais, Alex McKay, Imran bin Tajudeen and in Twenty-first Century Manila’; and the 2013 books and 5 dissertations to an established or to be included on the long/shortlist, is an Paul van der Velde (Secretary). Together they Colleagues’ Choice Award went to Fabrizio prize with 250 publications submitted by 60 important career milestone; importantly, the awarded the following prizes: Best Book in M. Ferrari, Guilty Males and Proud Females: publishers worldwide and 100 dissertations. inclusion alerts academic publishers to the the Humanities went to Julia F. Andrews and Negotiating Genders in a Bengali Festival As previously mentioned, we wanted to start quality of the authors’ work. Kuiyi Shen, for their The Art of Modern China. (Calcutta: Seagull Books, 2011). recognising more titles for their excellence, To assist the Reading Committees, I had not just the main winners. In order to increase already in 2009 prepared a modest ‘Guide the diversity and creativity of the judging to the ICAS Book Prize’, which contained an process and so that the Reading Committees alphabetical enumeration of all submissions so would be able to single out a larger number that the readers could check if they had truly of books and dissertations, we decided to received all books. The sharp increase in the create the Reading Committee Accolades. number of books in 2013 made it necessary The Accolades were to be awarded to any to create a more elaborate ‘Guide’, which of the books and dissertations submitted, now contained structured information to help not just those which had made it onto the the Reading Committees to better navigate long/shortlists for the main prizes. the multitude of publications. It included The IBP Reading Committee Accolades an overview of not only titles, authors and were, and continue to be, awarded separately publishers, but also the categorical division of for the two main categories, humanities and books, the regional distribution and the most social sciences, but the exact Accolades important topics treated in the publications. can vary each year (and not all need to be The guide also included the procedural Above: Winners have been known to proudly allocated). Accolades are awarded to both regulations, a timetable, and the rules for display their awards Books and Dissertations. Since their inception, eligibility of submissions. Above: Winner Julia Andrews receiving her Award The Newsletter No. 86 Summer 2020 7 The IBP Story

and/or sponsor a number of non-English ICAS Secretariat’s office. What could be a language editions of the ICAS Book Prize. better destination than the Leiden University IBP 2015, Adelaide These were to be launched on time for the Library, especially since it was precisely next IBP in 2017. at that time building a whole entire floor to One of the incentives for a more diversified house its new Asian Library? Consequently, and decentralised approach came from our an agreement was signed between the Leiden colleagues in Africa, and accordingly, the University Library and our mother institute, first ‘A New Axis of Knowledge’ conference the International Institute for Asian Studies was held in Ghana in 2015, to be followed in (IIAS), that the Asian Library would become 2018 by the second meeting in Dar es Salaam. the sponsor of the IBP. In return, we gifted Alongside the two meetings also came the the library all remaining books from previous Above: Winner Khoo Salma Nasution (left). regional version of the ICAS Book Prize: the (and future) IBP editions. Left: Winner Jinghong Zhang receiving award Africa-Asia Book Prize. Books submitted to this The IBP 2015 Awards Presentation took from Asia Library director Kurt de Belder. prize focussed on Africa-Asia relations and place in the Adelaide Convention centre Asian studies in Africa. The first two editions during the ICAS 9 Opening Ceremony. were organised by the ICAS Secretariat, but The Reading Committees were composed The New Asia Scholar rather than Western background, which the third edition of the Africa-Asia Book Prize of Christina Firpo, Duncan McDuie-Ra, Alex The Focus section of The Newsletter #72 was a remarkable rise in numbers. (probably 2021) will be organised by the Mckay, Aysun Uyar, and Paul van der Velde. (Autumn 2015) was devoted to a phenomenon An issue that had come to worry us more African Association for Asian Studies (A-Asia), They awarded Best Book in the Humanities to that we were calling ‘The New Asia Scholar’ and more was the language in which these the main force behind the establishment of the Adam Clulow, The Company and the Shogun: (https://www.iias.asia/the-newsletter/ submissions were written. International Africa-Asia ‘New Axis of Knowledge’ meetings. The Dutch Encounter with Tokugawa Japan newsletter-72-autumn-2015). During ICAS 9 publications have always been dominated by Another interesting, more logistical (Columbia University Press, 2014); Best Book in Adelaide we took note of new trends and English language works. Presuming English as development, was the sheer number of books in the Social Sciences went to Jinghong developments in Asian studies. The meeting the lingua franca of Asian studies produces being shipped to our offices every two years. Zhang, Puer Tea. Ancient Caravans and was a particularly useful observatory due at least two implications: English speaking Publishers were sending us 6 copies of each Urban Chic (University of Washington Press, to its diversified cross-continental nature. authors are writing about other cultures in submitted title, which we then forwarded to 2014); awards for Best Dissertation went A number of ICAS 9 participants were invited a non-local language, thus missing much the Reading Committee members. For the IBP to (respectively for Humanities and Social to contribute a piece to The Newsletter, of the specific nuances (even though they 2015 we received approximately 1500 books! Sciences) Deokhyo Choi for his ‘Crucible focussing on the question: “Who is the New might proudly speak the local language, Our offices turned into a warehouse cum of the Post-Empire: Decolonization, Race, Asia Scholar?” they do not tend to publish in it); and non- distribution centre. Someone finally came up and Cold War Politics in U.S.-Japan-Korea The IBP itself has also proven to be an English writing authors are limited in their with the bright idea to ask the publishers to Relations, 1945-1952’ and Tutin Aryanti for excellent trend identifier and forecaster. For international reach (or at the most, their works send the hard copies straight to the Reading her ‘Breaking the Wall, Preserving the Barrier: a start, in 2015 we noticed that Asian studies have been translated into English only after Committee members. This was only one of Gender, Space, and Power in Contemporary was moving from Western based Asian studies an international publisher has deemed their the solutions to the many practical problems Mosque Architecture in Yogyakarta, to studies coming from the region itself, based work ‘interesting enough’). As organisers of when running what had become one of the Indonesia’. Finally, the public voted for the on local conceptual lexicons and theoretical the IBP we recognised the growing challenge biggest book prizes in the world. Another winner of the Colleagues’ Choice Award, tools. Secondly, the shift from humanities of having only one language centre stage, solution found was to the problem of the which in 2015 went to Khoo Salma Nasution, to social sciences, already perceived in and in response to demands from the field we growing collection of books from previous The Chulia in Penang: Patronage and Place- 2009, continued and intensified; and thirdly, realised the need for a change. Prospective editions of the IBP; by now more than six Making around the Kapitan Kling Mosque 50 percent of the authors had an Asian partners were approached to either organise hundred books filled two book cases in the 1786-1957 (Penang: Areca Books, 2014).

IBP 2017, Chiang Mai

A multilingual discourse at the IBP party ICAS is a successful facilitator of localised but connected knowledge about Asia, and an enthusiastic actor in the decentring of knowledge about and in Asia. As a reflection of this approach the IBP enacted its existing wish to diversify its language basis. The ICAS Secretariat successfully enthused relevant institutes operating in Chinese, French, German and Korean to take on the challenge to organise their own respective language editions of the IBP: The Education University of Hong Kong (Chinese Edition), Groupement d’intérêt scientifique Études asiatiques (GIS Asie) (French Edition), the German Institute of Global and Area Studies (GIGA) and the Schweizerische Akademie für Geistes- und Sozialwissenschaften (SAGW) (German Edition), and National University Asia Above: IBP 2017 All Winners. Inset: IBP 2017 Booklet. Center (SNUAC) (Korean Edition). Together with the Asian Library/Leiden University stage. Upon leaving the hall everyone was Dissertation in the Humanities to Lisa A number of publishers also attended the (English Edition), the IBP was now shouldered given the ICAS Book Prize 2017 publication, Hellman, for her ‘Navigating the Foreign IBP party, as they had travelled to Chiang Mai by six institutions in Asia and Europe. All a new initiative by the ICAS Secretariat. Quarters: Everyday Life of the Swedish East to exhibit their products and services at the books were submitted centrally through the The booklet listed all shortlisted books, India Company Employees in Canton and ICAS Asian Studies Book Fair. The number of ICAS website, but each Language Secretariat winners, citations, Reading Committees, Macao 1730–1830’; and Best Dissertation publishers involved in the IBP English edition was responsible for their own Reading organisers and sponsors. in the Social Sciences to Gauri Bharat, had been quite stable (at 60) for a few years, Committees, for contacting publishers/ In previous years there had always been for her ‘Place-making Through Practice: however, for the first time we could clearly submitters, and for collecting hard copies. a small IBP dinner organised for the winners An Interdisciplinary Approach to Santal discern a core group of seven publishers that They all succeeded in receiving at least 30 and Reading Committee members, but with Architectural History’. And finally, the had submitted more than 15 books. These were, books (a commendable start, comparable the growing numbers involved we decided to Colleagues’ Choice Awards (respectively in alphabetical order: Amsterdam University to the first English instalment); the Korean throw a proper IBP party. The winners were for Humanities and Social Sciences) went Press, Brill Publishers, Cambridge University Language Secretariat outdid all with nearly given the floor to say a few words (which had to Christina Elizabeth Firpo, The Uprooted: Press, Harvard Asia Center, ISEAS Publishing, 100 submissions. not been possible during the ceremony). Our Race, Children, and Imperialism in French NIAS Press, and the University of Washington The Secretariat of each language first multilingual ICAS Book Prize party was a Indochina, 1890-1980. (University of Hawai’i Press. The following 13 publishers submitted edition, and in cooperation with the IBP roaring success, lasting well into the wee hours. Press, 2016) and Adams Bodomo, Africans five to ten books: Columbia University Press, General Secretariat, put together a Reading The English language Reading Committee in China: and Beyond (New York: Cornell University Press, Hong Kong University Committee of four persons, representing members for Books were Manuela Ciotti, Tom Diasporic Africa Press, 2016). Press, Hurst & Company, Lexington Books, NUS the field of Asian studies in the widest sense. Hoogervorst, Claudio Pinheiro, Tina Shrestha And for the first time, the German language Press, Oxford University Press, Peter Lang, Polity Towards the end of this new multi-language and Paul van der Velde (Secretary). They edition awarded their main prize to Hans van Press, Primus Books, Routledge, SUNY Press, edition I decided to relinquish my position as awarded the Best Book in the Humanities to Ess, Politics and Historiography in Ancient and University of Hawai’i Press. The remaining Secretary. I handed over those duties to Sonja Seth Jacobowitz, Writing Technology in Meiji China: Pan-ma i-t’ing; the publishers, most of them academic, submitted Zweegers, Editor of The Newsletter at IIAS, and Japan. A Media History of Modern Japanese edition Best Book went to Lui Tai-Lok, Hong up to five books. It was clear that the majority of I took on my new role as General Secretary Literature and Visual Culture (Harvard University Kong Model: From the Present Tense to the publishers producing books on Asia (in English) of the IBP, in order to coordinate the various Asia Center, 2015); and Best Book in the Social Past Tense; the main prize of the French were located in either USA or Europe, although language editions, and secure all necessary Sciences was awarded to Han F. Vermeulen, for language edition was received by Marine we were also made aware that an increasing agreements and sponsorships. his Before Boas. The Genesis of Ethnography Carrin, The Language of the Gods. Santal number of these companies were opening up The IBP 2017 Awards Presentation took and Ethnology in the German Enlightenment Ritual Discourse Between the Oral and the branches in Asia, so as to be able to effectively place on 20 July in the Plenary Hall of the (University of Nebraska Press, 2015). Written (India); and the scout new authors in the field, the majority of Chiang Mai International Exhibition and The Reading Committee for Dissertations edition recognised as Best Book: Jaehun whom are from Asia. This was also the main Convention Centre. It was memorable to see included Tutin Aryanti, Deokhyo Choi and Jeong, The History of Turk Empire 552-745: reason for them to exhibit at ICAS, where most the winners of all the language editions on Alex McKay (Chair). They awarded Best The Rise and Fall of Ashna's Power. of the participants hail from the region. 8 The ICAS Book Prize A multilingual window on The IBP Story the world of Asian studies

people, ideas, knowledge, ideologies, and so forth. Priorities are given to well-researched IBP 2019, Leiden manuscripts that seek to develop new perspectives and theories about global Asia”. The IBP dinner was, with over 30 guests, a particularly generous affair this year as we had now added yet another language edition to the group: a combined Spanish/Portuguese edition, organised by Sephis. Its Chair, The IBP Books and Claudio Pinheiro, had performed in-depth research into the state of affairs of Asian Dissertations Carousel studies in Latin America before establishing The IBP Books and Dissertations Carousel the Secretariat. His efforts resulted in no less had been set in motion as an experiment during than 66 publications submitted for their first ICAS 9 in Adelaide, had matured at ICAS 10 in IBP in 2019. With this new language edition Chiang Mai, and had now come of age during successfully in place, I was motivated to add ICAS 11 (15-19 July 2019) in Leiden. Eighty yet 2 more to the array: Japanese and Russian. presentations took place during 15 sessions, ICAS 12 will take place in 2021 in Kyoto, and nearly half by young doctors for whom the so I invited Aysun Uyar Makibayashi from IBP Carousel was initiated in the first place: Doshisha University (and former IBP Reading “to offer young doctors the opportunity to Committee member) to the 2019 dinner, in briefly present the significance of their work an attempt to convince her to join the team. Above: IBP 2019 Booklet. to an audience of interested scholars, (I can now announce that she agreed and Left: Winner of the French language edition Marianne Bujard (left) with publishers and potential employers, who in there will indeed be a Japanese language the Secretary of the French language turn may question the candidates on their edition of the IBP 2021). Another guest at edition, Aurelie Varrel (right). findings. This is also intended to be a relatively the dinner was Alexey Maslow, Director of Below: Winner Korean Language informal chance for presenters to meet others the Institute of Far Eastern Studies of the Edition Jae-hoon Shim (left). interested in their field of enquiry”. A number Russian Academy of Sciences (IFES), and of presentations (in English) were about books keynote speaker in the SASS-IIAS Forum on written in languages other than English, and the Belt and Road Initiative at ICAS 11. we hope that this platform will indeed see even Alexey had been invited for the dinner after more non-English language authors during he had made clear his ambition to set up future editions. the Russian Edition of the IBP (as with the With another hat on, as IIAS Publications Japanese edition, I can share the good news Officer, and together with my assistant Mary that indeed, there will also be a Russian Lynn van Dijk, we convened a panel at ICAS language edition for the IBP 2021). There are 11 on the three IIAS Book series (‘Global Asia’, very strong Asian studies traditions going ‘Asian Cities’, ‘Asian Heritages’), with the back centuries in both Russian and Japanese. aim to look back on the 25 monographs and It is only natural that they are part of the edited volumes published in these series in IBP, along with the excellent studies written the past four years. The series editors took in those languages, which should become the lead in explaining how they work and part of the international discourse on Asian what kind of manuscripts they want to include studies. In his editorial for The Newsletter #84 in their series. Tak-Wing Ngo (organiser of (Autumn 2019, p.3) ‘Reinventing the academic ICAS 8 in Macau and IIAS alumnus) said conference’ the director of IIAS, Philippe the following about his ‘Global Asia Series’ Peycam, a supporter of the IBP’s multilingual (although this could also apply to the IBP approach, commented: “ICAS now runs and ICAS in general): “The Series takes issue an inclusive space in which different social with the conventional practice of treating stakeholders – from academic to cultural Asia as merely the empirical testing ground institutions, from citizen associations and for universalized theories developed from regions – work hand-in-hand to promote Western experiences. Instead, it underlines scholarly knowledge in society”. the contributions of Asian knowledge, values, The IBP 2019 awards ceremony took and practices in making our modern world. place during the opening of ICAS 11, in The Series deliberately keeps a broad scope Leiden’s Hooglandse Church, on 16 July to include studies that focus on a wide 2019. More than 2000 people attended the range of topics and disciplines. Books ceremony, and all were presented the ICAS published under the Series are unified not by Book Prize 2019 publication at the end of the a common theme or theoretical approach, session. The booklet included all shortlists, Chiang, After Eunuchs: Science, Medicine, Bart Luttikhuis, Alex McKay (Chair) and but by a critical stance that highlights the winners, sponsors, organisers, reading and the Transformation of Sex in Modern Anna Romanowicz. They awarded Best autochthonous contributions of Asia to social committees of the IBP 2019. The English China (Columbia University Press, 2018); Dissertation in the Humanities to Leonor sciences. As such, the Series as a whole language Reading Committee for Books Best Book in the Social Sciences was awarded Veiga for her ‘The Third Avant-garde: addresses contemporary issues related to included Seth Jacobowitz, Rachel Leow, to Sareeta Amrute, Encoding Race, Encoding Contemporary Art from Southeast Asia transnational interactions within the Asian Thien Huong Ninh, Olga Sooudi, and Sonja Class: Indian IT Workers in Berlin (Duke Recalling Tradition’; and Best Dissertation region, as well as Asia’s projection into the Zweegers (Secretary). The prize for Best University Press, 2016). The members of the in the Social Sciences to Aleksandra Lee world through the movement of goods, Book in the Humanities went to Howard Reading Committee for Dissertations were for her ‘Modeling China: Business, Politics, and Material in China's Museum Industry’. The Colleagues’ Choice Awards (respectively for Humanities and Social Sciences) went to Abdur-Razzaq Lubis, Sutan Puasa: Founder of Kuala Lumpur (Areca Books, 2018) and Azmil Tayeb, Islamic Education in Indonesia and Malaysia: Shaping Minds, Saving Souls (Routledge, 2018). The Main Prize for the Chinese language edition was awarded to Feng-mao Li, Transforming ‘Sacred Religion’ into Daoism: Festival, Belief, and Culture in the Chinese Society of Malaysia (National Taiwan University Press, 2018). The French language Reading Committee recognised as Best Book, Michèle Pirazzoli-t'Sersteven and Marianne Bujard, The Qin and Han Dynasties: General (221 BC-220 AD) (Les Belles Lettres, 2017). Thomas Zimmer, Awakening from the Coma? A Literary Positioning of Today's China (Tectum Wissenschaftsverlag, 2017) was the winner of the 2019 German language edition. Best Book in the Korean language was awarded to Jae-hoon Shim, From a Vassal to the Hegemon: The Birth and Rise of the State of Jin in Early China (Ilchokak Publishing, 2018). And for the first time, the Spanish/Portuguese edition presented its ICAS Book Prize; in fact it had two winners: Madalena Natsuko Hashimoto Cordaro, Japanese Erotica in Painting and Writing of the 17th to 19th centuries, 2 volumes (USP, 2017) and Óscar Figueroa, The Preceding View: Visionary Power and Above: IBP 2019 All Winners. Imagination in Ancient India (UNAM, 2017). The Newsletter No. 86 Summer 2020 9 The IBP Story

in The Newsletter (issues 76 and 83): “The best dissertations will have the primary of originality, along with scholastic qualities IBP 2021, Kyoto such as depth (and breath) of research, evidence of intellectual quality, clear and sophisticated arguments, good organization and presentation of evidence leading to significant conclusions liable to be of interest to the wider field, a consistent and properly considered theoretical and/or methodological Looking back to the future framework, and of course it must include due From the beginning the IBP has been a acknowledgement of sources and proper general book prize of a region and discipline presentation of bibliography, notes and transcending nature. From its seventh edition associated scholastic apparatus. They will in 2017 it also became multilingual; by adding also have the minimum of typographical errors Japanese and Russian for the upcoming and the standard writing and use of English ninth edition in 2021, the ICAS Book Prize Davide Grieco on unsplash.com language will be of a good standard.” The will be considering nine languages that criteria for the IBP Book Reading Committee have (long) established research traditions were summarised as follows: “There are in Asian studies. Is it conceivable to add The idea has been floating for a while, but thus familiarising wider and wider audiences several criteria which determine what is a even more languages to the IBP without it during the ongoing COVID-19 crisis we have with works written in non-English languages. good book: originality in the treatment of the imploding? I am of the opinion that because been made aware that many packages We have also seen how presentations of topic; the depth of the research; opening up English is one of the official languages of are not reaching their destination. For that dissertations are increasingly impacted by a new field of research; providing a definitive India, Hindi or Tamil editions will be unlikely. reason, we deliberated with our Reading developments in IT. Quoting the Chair of study on a certain topic; being well written Bahasa Indonesia, spoken throughout the Committee members and gave them the the IBP Dissertations Reading Committee, or making clear arguments. […] Inclusion on Malay world, Swahili as the biggest East choice. Some chose for e-books, also out of Alex MacKay: “What is also notable is that the [long]list is a significant achievement and African language, and Arabic spoken and environmental considerations, others continue the form of a doctoral dissertation has lost means that the author belongs to the top tier read throughout the Islamic world, could to prefer hard copies. We shall see how this the traditional boundaries of extensive text of Asia scholars.” With these considerations be possible candidates. develops in the future. and relevant illustration. Many submissions in mind the Reading Committees start their The number of submissions for each How the IBP will be further impacted by incorporate video and other technological yearlong reading process, which results in language in 2019 varied from 20 to 100 the de-globalising tendencies in the world innovations of the last decades, once longlists, then shortlists. Being included on (not taking into account the English edition today, no one can be sure about. However, tentatively but now confidently deployed by those lists is already a great honour and with 400 submissions plus 150 dissertations). we do predict that the new Russian language a generation that has grown up with new tools references to them frequently pop up on CV’s The various language editions together edition will attract a higher number of titles on of expression. That tendency, like ICAS itself, of scholars to enhance their resume. The received a total of 754 submissions in 2019, Central Asia, the Japanese edition will likely is likely to only grow”. So far, the IBP has only winners of the prizes are ultimately those that and we expect that next time we will reach introduce us to topics we have never even accepted dissertations written in English, come closest to the criteria outlined above the one thousand mark. heard of before, more and more of the authors but this does not exclude the possibility of and for them it means a boost to their careers Each language edition is organised and will originate from Asia and be published by dissertations in other languages in the future. and a reward for many years of meticulous sponsored by an Asian studies institution, Asia-located publishers, more Asian authors The Colleagues’ Choice Award was and intensive research. The recognition for and has its own Reading Committee (normally will write about Asian countries other than introduced in 2007, and has been included one’s work, knowledge and dedication that of 4 academics). The scholars who have their own, more books on Asia will be written in every instalment of the IBP ever since. comes with winning the ICAS Book Prize is been a committee member in the past have in a language other than English, etc. And However, with the steep yearly rise in the priceless, often leading to unexpected but experienced the horizon-widening experience the ICAS Book Prize will continue to boost and number of votes we are no longer able to well-deserved career-related rewards. of the IBP. They received and processed books document all these developments through its guarantee the validity of the polls, and so The ninth edition of the IBP is on the from not only their own fields of study, but original aim: to increase the global visibility after the IBP in 2019 we decided to stop horizon; during its Awards Ceremony I will far beyond. Many of them have used the of and interest in academic works on Asia. awarding this prize. Nevertheless, we are step down as General Secretary, yet this submitted books as pedagogical tools in their Another way in which the IBP works to make convinced that the Colleagues’ Choice will by no means be the last page of the teachings on Asia. They work together with Asian studies and its publications more visible Award has made the IBP more popular by IBP. I am convinced that the Book Prize will the other committee members, and somehow and accessible is through the ICAS Book Fair. highlighting books that would otherwise further blossom in the capable hands of always seem to agree on who should be the The last few ICAS meetings have seen between have gone unnoticed. Fortunately, we my successor. It is no exaggeration to state winner. A detail that may change during the 30-40 publishers exhibit their wares and will of course continue to award Reading that the IBP has grown from just one of the next few instalments of the IBP, is ‘how’ they services, but this number could rise because of Committee Accolades to the submitted book prizes in the field of Asian studies to the read the submissions. So far, publishers have the increasing number of languages involved Books and Dissertations. The Accolades leading Book Prize in its field. Who could have always been asked to send hard copies of in the IBP. Closely connected to the IBP is the are an invaluable method to acknowledge dreamt that when we announced the ICAS all submitted titles, but as we speak we have ICAS Books and Dissertations Carousel, in a larger number of very deserving titles. Book Prize at the beginning of this century? opened submissions for the IBP 2021 and which authors present their recent work; it Why compete for the ICAS Book Prize? have decided to include the option of e-books has witnessed a clear growth in the number of Where will it get you? Well, Alex MacKay, one Paul van der Velde, General Secretary (at least for the English language edition). presentations of books not written in English, of the pillars of the IBP, wrote on that matter of the ICAS Book Prize

IBP Submissions 2005-19

800

700

English books in the Humanities 600 English books in the Social Sciences

English dissertations 500 submitted Submissions in language other 400 than English Number of Publishers 300

200

100

0 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013 2015 2017 2019 10 The Shanghai lilong Architecturally interesting, socially important, The Study and as much of an icon as the Bund itself

The Shanghai lilong A new concept of home in China The lilong is an attractive, versatile, and socially vibrant house type that developed in Shanghai in the 19th century. It came to Gregory Bracken be seen as such a feature of the city that it is almost as much of an icon as the Bund itself. Stylistically it is a hybrid of Western architectural details and traditional Chinese spatial arrangements; but it is more than architecturally interesting, it is socially very important. Apart from generating a vibrant street life in the city, it was also instrumental in changing the concept of home [jia] in China. Traditionally, a home was something to be handed down through the family, from generation to generation, but the Shanghai lilong changed all that. Home-ownership came to assume a more Western attitude, where the house was seen more as a commodity than an heirloom, something that could be easily bought and sold.

Left: Restored lilong on Xingye Road, Xintiandi. Photo by author.

he Shanghai lilong flourished during the was like in the lilong on a daily basis, taking China in the early 19th century was themselves across China throughout the 19th 19th and early 20th centuries, becoming Nelson I. Wu’s concept of ‘graduated privacy’1 complacent. It had good reason to be. It was and early 20th century, until the system was Tthe most common building type in the (which he used to explain the sequences of stable, it was rich, and it was producing some of finally ended after 101 years with the signing of city up to World War II. Once the Communists spaces in the traditional Chinese courtyard the world’s most sought-after products – things the ‘Sino-British Treaty for the Relinquishment took over in 1949 the lilong entered a decline. house or siheyuan) to show how this graduated like tea, silk, and porcelain. As a result, the of Extra-Territorial Rights in China’, on It was seen as a reminder of an era the system of space was mirrored in the layout country was gradually absorbing a substantial 11 January 1943. Chinese would rather forget: the Treaty Port and hierarchical arrangement of the streets portion of the world’s supply of silver. The British may have begun as illegal, but era (1842-1943). As a result, the lilong became and alleyways of the lilong, where it became (who had taken to tea more than most) were it was legalised on 8 November 1858 and increasingly run-down and dilapidated, as well what we could call a graduated urban privacy; envious, not to mention out of pocket. Wanting remained legal in China until 1917. Jacques as overcrowded and unsanitary due to the lack it was this that was instrumental in allowing to redress this financial imbalance, they decided M. Downs tells us that China, quite naturally, of development in the city from the 1950s to the lilong’s famous vitality to flourish. on importing something lucrative of their own, saw the opium trade as an unmixed evil.3 the 1970s. When capitalism was reintroduced notoriously deciding on opium. They fought It corrupted, it demoralised, and it drained from 1978 onwards, the lilong came under even two wars to do so (the was national funds. The more the Chinese tried to more stress because of the increased space in China from 1839 to 1842, and the Second from 1856 stop it, the more it took hold because higher constraints in the city-centre and soaring land China was forced to open itself to to 1860). These Wars led to a series of treaties, bribes meant greater incentives to subvert the values, which meant that such a low-rise house Western trade in the 19th century, primarily beginning with the ‘Treaty of Nanking’ () law and made corrupt officials rich. The British type was no longer seen as economical or a by Britain. At that time the country was still on 29 August 1842. Known as the ‘unequal government had always acknowledged China’s good use of space. Vast swathes of them were dominated by Confucianism, where society treaties’, they were foisted by Britain (and later, right to prohibit the drug, but, as Downs points demolished, to be replaced by high-rise offices, was divided into four basic classes: scholars, by others) onto an unwilling China and have out, the trade’s economic value outweighed its hotels, and apartment complexes, often peasants, craftsmen, and merchants (in rightly been seen as a low point in the country’s moral turpitude. Besides, British military and with large shopping malls in their podiums. descending order of importance). Robert history ever since. naval strength at the time enabled them to Perceptions began to change, however, in Nield saw the Western powers’ belief in Under the terms of the Treaty of Nanking, get away with whatever they wanted. the first years of the 21st century when the trade as being as natural a human function China had to pay a massive indemnity of Bad and all as this was for China, it architectural merit of this charming house as breathing; these powers believed that $21 million, it also had to cede the island of did have some long-term positive effects type was once again beginning to be countries should be able to trade with Hong Kong to Britain in perpetuity (it was because wherever opium went, other goods appreciated; they have been enjoying whomever they pleased.2 China did not handed back in 1997 when it became a Special soon followed. Downs highlights how this something of a revival ever since. share this view. Chinese mandarins, the Administrative Region of China). The Treaty trade in opium led to other, more legitimate This paper looks at how the lilong came scholar-gentry elite who ruled the country also stipulated that five ports were opened to activities. The new conduits of trade also into existence in the first place. It also briefly for most of its history, saw trade and indeed foreign trade: namely Canton (), introduced something else into the country: explains the historical backdrop of the Treaty any sort of commerce as vulgar, low-class, Amoy (), Foochow (), Ningpo modernisation. And this could be seen in the Port era, a time when Shanghai began to and unrefined, not the sort of activity (), and Shanghai. Henceforth known as changing attitude to home-ownership that develop into the glittering global city it is appropriate for a cultivated Confucian ‘Treaty Ports’, these were the first in an ever- began to emerge in Shanghai with the lilong. today. It then goes on to examine what life gentlemen [junzi]. increasing series of settlements that spread Even missionaries played a role in The Newsletter No. 86 Summer 2020 11 The Study

this modernisation because, according to By the early 20th century Shanghai had and smaller ones crossing it at right angles. in the West. The ideograph for jia consists of Robert Nield, their schools introduced Western become synonymous with modernity; it had Access to the compound was via a gate, closed ten strokes and is said to represent a pig under concepts such as democracy to increasingly the country’s first trams, first stock exchange, at night (sometimes during the day as well). a roof, which, according to Nancy Jervis, can politically aware students. These ideas, along and first nightclub. Not only did it have the There were often a number of gates, depending mean a related group of people who eat out with a new attitude to trade, meant that largest population of any city in Asia (around on the size of the compound, but as these of one pot.6 This can be meant literally, as in China was beginning to transform. This may three million by 1930), it also had the region’s tended to close at different times it meant that the daily meal, or figuratively, by the sharing have been painful at first, but it eventually tallest buildings, freest press, and most shortcuts could only be used by those who of family income (traditionally from the raising allowed the country to blossom into the dazzling social life (as well as Asia’s most knew the daily rhythms of the lilong well. of pigs). The family could therefore be seen globally competitive giant it is today. notorious gangsters, drugs, and gambling The houses themselves were usually two to not only as a group who consumed pork, but Chinese commerce and trade would have dens). All of which came to an end, however, four storeys and varied in size and decoration. also as a basic economic unit of society by probably developed anyway, even without on 8 December 1941, Invariably small, the producing that commodity. British prompting, but the presence of British when the Japanese basic unit was 60 to Samuel Y. Liang sees the lilong (or li, as commercial culture certainly accelerated that bombed Pearl Harbor 105 square metres, with he prefers to call them) as having radically change, and it was in the Treaty Ports that and annexed Shanghai’s ... Lilong came to be only two rooms per floor. reconfigured China’s traditional residential the conduits of this trade made their biggest foreign concessions, Commercial activity was and commercial spaces.7 Visibility and mark, as we shall see. and the city found itself seen as a transferable confined to those houses openness now replace walls and containment. under one jurisdiction for commodity rather than facing onto boundary He sees this as a subverting of the traditional the first time in a century streets, although some spatial order and hierarchy of Chinese Shanghai as Treaty Port (albeit Japanese rather a permanent home. informal commercial space, with the borderline between elites and Shanghai was, without doubt, the most than Chinese). 1943 saw activity occurred on the the lower classes being transgressed and important Treaty Port in China. It was bigger, the revocation of the main alleyways. Smaller redefined. This would have been the case in it was richer, and it was more sophisticated Treaty Port system, and alleyways were used for 19th-century Shanghai, where Chinese, rich than any other city in the country. It began life after World War II Shanghai went through a household chores, informal work, or simply for and poor, were thrown together as they fled as a fishing village before growing into a small brief boom followed by a cataclysmic period recreation. The chief factor in their flexibility upheavals in the rest of the country. Liang walled city, whose location at the mouth of of corruption and economic mismanagement was the hierarchical system of graduated also argues that the social spaces of the lilong the made it ideal for trade. The British before being taken over by the People’s urban privacy. ‘Graduated privacy’ was a term demonstrate an analogous transformation, recognised this and within twenty years of Liberation Army on 24 April 1949. The People’s first coined by Nelson I. Wu to explain the use with walls and the traditionally self-contained becoming a Treaty Port, Shanghai became Republic of China was declared later that and sequence of spaces in traditional Chinese residential spaces also being breached. the world’s sixth-largest port. It became so year, on 1 October, ending once and for all courtyard houses [siheyuen]. It explains the It is important to note that this spatial rich and powerful in fact, that Shanghai’s the one-sided foreign incursions into China. series of spatial progressions within the house, transformation was not simply a passive leaders proposed turning it into an independent where certain visitors would only be allowed response to Western influence in the city, republic in 1862. This was rejected as being as far as the entry vestibule, but friends and it was actually a reflection of Shanghai’s unrealistic (besides, it would have contravened The layout and use family could come right into the courtyard and dynamism as a result of new circumstances, the whole Treaty Port system). its adjacent halls. The deeper recesses of the both opportunities and constraints, that were Shanghai’s rapid growth saw every part of the Shanghai Lilong house were reserved for family members. seen here in the Treaty Port era. of the city develop at a staggering pace. Treaty Ports were popular with Taking the concept of graduated privacy One vitally important point that Liang The cost of an acre of ground went from around Chinese looking for work, or fleeing from and applying it to the urban layout of the makes about the lilong, and it is something £50 in 1850 to £20,000 in 1862.4 The city was the upheavals that convulsed the country Shanghai lilong allows us to see how these that is related to the sojourner status of so dominated by an International Settlement, in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Most of spaces actually worked. There is a sequence many of the city’s residents, is the fact that which was a self-governing entity governed those who came to Shanghai lived in lilong. of space in the lilong compound that almost these houses were no longer regarded as by a Municipal Council. There was also a These were gated, hierarchically organised exactly mirrors the traditional Chinese house. something a family would hand down through French Concession, the original Chinese city, residential compounds, laid out in large blocks Visitors and/or residents can move from a the generations. This made them radically and an ever-expanding periphery, which was subdivided by alleyways. The name lilong public street, through a main alleyway – which different from the traditional Chinese house. Chinese administered. A tiny colonial elite means ‘neighbourhood alleyway’ (li meaning is semi-public because it is behind a gate The lilong lacks flexibility in terms of was in charge and had little interest in mixing ‘neighbourhood’ and long, ‘alleyway’). that can (and regularly does) close – into the expansion or contraction – something that was with the vast majority of the city’s native They are also sometimes known as lilongtang semi-private side alleyways, where locals possible in the traditional courtyard house’s population, except when they had to. They (the term most often used in Shanghai). congregate and can keep a friendly eye on more spacious compound, and which was saw themselves as separate, even identifying Lilongtang actually refers to an entire cluster activities, before finally moving into the house one of its most useful features when families themselves as ‘Shanghailanders’, as opposed of houses (tang meaning ‘sitting room’ and itself, which is totally private. The lilong is needed more (or less) space, depending to the native Chinese who were ‘Shanghainese’. longtang being the alleyway-house itself, in fact able to form an almost village-like on births and deaths and the impact they The Shanghailanders worked and socialised in i.e., ‘alleyway-sitting room’).5 neighbourhood (not unlike the old lifang had on the size of a family. This traditional the massive neoclassical and Art Deco buildings The alleyways were differentiated, with residential wards of ancient Chinese cities, flexibility was simply impossible in the tighter that decorated the Bund and the smarter a main one, which could be up to four or five although more complex, given its more subtly constraints of Shanghai’s more limited (and parts of the city centre, but most ordinary metres wide and ran perpendicular to the differentiated alleyway structure). expensive) city space. As a result of these new Shanghainese lived in the much humbler lilong. public street from which it was accessed, It can be no accident that the graduated conditions in the city the lilong came to be seen privacy of the traditional Chinese house as a transferable commodity rather than a came to be echoed in the placement of the permanent home, to which generations of the different activities in Shanghai’s lilong, where same family would have a sense of belonging. inhabitants (and/or strangers) could move This new attitude to the home that emerged from a main street through the main alleyway, with the lilong may also explain how the house into smaller semi-private alleyways before type came to have such flexibility in terms of its eventually reaching the private home. These use, from the most common, the family home, graduated sequence of spaces determine to other more commercial uses, like shop houses, what sort of activities take place, and where, workshops and studios, galleries, restaurants depending on how private or public they and offices. The lilong’s polyvalence may seem are. We can see this in the main alleyway, to point to a bright future, but this may not be where vendors set up stalls to catch passing the case. The question now is, what role can traffic, whereas the smaller side alleyways see there be for this fascinating house type in the residents preferring to sit and watch the street 21st century? But, as Rudyard Kipling said, without being in the way. There were no rules that’s another story. for this regulation of space, people simply took their cue from the spaces themselves. Gregory Bracken, Assistant Professor This is a subtle, specialised, and strictly of Spatial Planning and Strategy, hierarchical use of space that determines the TU Delft [email protected] activities of the lilong. At first glance this can Note: This article will continue in issue #87 (Autumn 2020). seem quite random, but on closer inspection it reflects a deeply logical use of space, all based on unwritten rules, and all taking its cue Notes from the layout of the lilong. This use of space, 1 Wu, N.I. 1968. Chinese and Indian in both home and alleyway, is informed by Architecture: The City of Man, the ancient and deep-seated understandings of Mountain of God, and the Realm of space use and its relations to social behaviour the Immortals. in China, and these have mediated between 2 Nield, R. 2015. China’s Foreign Places: the public and private realms for millennia. The Foreign Presence in China in the What emerged in the Shanghai lilong was a Treaty Port Era, 1840-1943. 3 Downs, J.M. 1997. The Golden Ghetto: vibrant new articulation of these relations. The American Commercial Community at Canton and the Shaping of American China Policy, 1784-1844. The Shanghai lilong: a new 4 Dong, S. 2000. Shanghai: The Rise and Fall of a Decadent City. concept of home in China 5 Bracken, G. 2014. The Shanghai Alleyway A large proportion of Shanghai’s population House: A Vanishing Urban Vernacular. in the Treaty Port era, both Western and 6 Jervis, N. 2005. ‘The Meaning of Jia: Chinese, were known as sojourners, temporary An Introduction’ in R.G. Knapp and K. Lo residents who saw the city as a place to get (eds.) House Home Family: Living and Being Chinese. rich before returning home. And this had 7 Liang, S.Y. 2008. ‘Where the Courtyard an effect on their attitudes to the concept Meets the Street: Spatial Culture of the of home. The word for ‘home’ in Chinese is Li Neighbourhoods, Shanghai, 1870-1900’. jia, which also denotes ‘house’ and ‘family’, Journal of the Society of Architectural Above: Neighbours chatting on a side alleyway in Jing’an Villa lilongtang. Photo by author. concepts that cannot be separated as they are Historians 67(4): 482-503. 12 Asian migration studies Making significant contributions towards The Study the development of the field

Recent publications that have engaged with the functioning of the migration industry in Asia usually do so taking Johan Lindquist, Xiang Biao and Brenda Yeoh’s (2012) important assertion to think of it Asian as a black box, as a point of departure.3 It was also an important source of inspiration for an ARI-held workshop in 2017 titled “The Migration Industry: Facilitators and Brokerage in Asia”, which brought together migration a variety of researchers with a strong ethnographic focus on the topic. Three distinct publications have emerged from this workshop. The first was a special issue with Pacific Affairs (2018) edited by Tina Shrestha studies (now with Waseda University), whose own work focuses on Nepali outmigration to Malaysia and Japan.4 This special issue’s focus is determinedly on the practices of Recent publications brokerage (mediating, facilitation) and the making of migration infrastructures. and new directions Together, the articles put the spotlight on 1 the specific histories and political processes Paradigmatic shifts that have contributed to the emergence The field of migration studies has gone of brokerage practices and the way they Michiel Baas through various paradigmatic shifts over stand in relation to migration regimes. time, influenced by research findings as well It is a line also followed in a recently as changes in the geopolitical, sociocultural published Palgrave Pivot edited volume and economic landscape across sending The Migration Industry in Asia: Brokerage, and receiving nations. Initially the field was Gender and Precariousness (2020),5 which characterized by a deeply functionalist brings together another set of papers from approach that sought to explain migration the workshop. Here the focus is more on via various push and pull factors. The the pragmatics of the industry, the ways in eventual goal here was not just ‘explaining’ which agents/brokers negotiate these, and but also ‘predicting’ migration. Migration the impact this has on migrants themselves. was understood to describe a process from In my own contribution to this volume, I try A to B with an eventual return home, which to understand the composition of the amounts was conceptualized in terms of failure or low-skilled migrants from Tamil Nadu pay success overseas. to their agents and Questions of integration brokers, and by doing and assimilation initially so also try to find an also built upon this and Migration studies had answer to the question especially in Europe this why certain destinations led to significant public to refocus its attention such as Singapore are debates. on the multiplicity of so much more expensive The 1990s introduced to migrate to than an important para- migrant lives. those in the Middle digmatic shift with its East. Bringing together introduction of the case studies focusing concept of trans- on internal migration nationalism. A growing number of migrants in Indonesia, issues of legality and illegality were observed to maintain multiple ties among Myanmarese migrants in Thailand, and connections between home and host and the complexity of regulating and country and these transnational lifestyles mediating migration from India, the volume were made possible by the arrival of budget is primarily set up to encourage future carriers and advances in telecommunications research on the topic. and media. As a result, migration studies had A final set of papers appeared in a to refocus its attention on the multiplicity special section with International Migration of migrant lives. (2019) and pays attention to the emerging The introduction of the ‘new mobilities category of student-migrant and the paradigm’ by Mimi Sheller and John Urry entanglement of the education and migration (2006) confronted the field with new questions industries in the Asia Pacific region.6 of how to understand the mobile trajectories While it may appear that this constitutes of migrants across the globe.2 This new a separate type of industry that offers paradigm is not simply about asserting that migration pathways to a very different group In recent years the field of migration studies the world is more mobile than ever, rather of (often high-skilled) migrants, it is revealing it seeks to highlight the complex character for the way skilled migration programs are focusing on Asia has not only made important of mobility systems that regulate movement. interlinked with various interests related strides in capturing the lives, livelihoods and Migration is not only about crossing borders to nation’s economies and industries. but also about not-moving, waiting, and trajectories of Asian migrants but also made related constraints imposed by sending significant contributions towards the development and receiving nation-states. The question of skill The rapidly growing number of so-called of the field in general. The Asian Migration cluster student-migrants in Asia has not only zoomed of the Asia Research Institute (ARI) of the National Migration industry in on the way skilled migration programs and international education ambitions speak University of Singapore, together with collaborating and brokerage to each other, but has also contributed to institutions at Humboldt University (Berlin), Sorbonne The recent focus on the question of a renewed focus on questions related to mobility itself has made scholars realize skill in general. As is the case in Australia, (Paris) and Waseda University (Tokyo) have been more than ever before that migration cannot Singapore and elsewhere, international of particular influence here. These collaborations solely be understood by focusing on either students are often welcomed as ‘potential’ the sending or receiving side. While studies skilled migrants who may eventually stay have also shed important light on the way the Asia- of transnationalism had already tried to unite on (either permanently or temporarily) after Pacific region is connected with Africa, Europe and both in its focus, the (commercial) networks graduation. As such they have increasingly that facilitate migration – and which in fact become integral to skilled migration the Gulf through skilled migration. This article pays made it possible to migrate in the first place programs. While in Australia this has led attention to a number of recent publications that – remained understudied. Meanwhile, the to critical questions about the actual skills commercialization of migration pathways student-migrants possess upon completion have emerged out of these collaborations; while has opened up the opportunity to live and of their degrees, such developments have I will be paying attention to some publications of work in another country to an ever-widening also contributed to a more general inquiry group of migrants. This seems to stand in into what ‘skill’ actually is and how skills are which I am the editor or lead author, the main point direct relation to the ongoing formalization ranked in terms of high and low. is to show that the field of Asian migration studies is and regulation of migration trajectories that In light of such discussions, a recent (2020) make it almost impossible for low-skilled special issue with the Journal of Ethnic and in motion and to highlight the new directions it has migrants to seek out the services of specialists Migration Studies (JEMS) addresses the social been taking in recent years. (agents, brokers, etc.). The emergence of construction of the idea of skill.7 In it, Gracia a migration industry – composed among Liu-Farrer, Brenda Yeoh and I ask who the others of agents, brokers, and training arbitrators of skill are, how skill is constructed institutes – across Asia needs to be in the migration process and in turn, how understood in this light. it affects mobility. It brings together a set The Newsletter No. 86 Summer 2020 13 The Study

concerns a new generation of migrants New directions who actively challenge the boundaries What these publications and the and constraints of migration systems. collaborations show is not just that the question Earlier-mentioned student-migrants of mobility is integral to the study of migration, could be considered as one such category, but that the field itself is constantly in motion especially in terms of their (part-time) as well. As Peidong Yang’s more recent work employment in professions that do not also underlines, with its focus on Chinese match their qualifications. But as the work ‘foreign talent’ students in Singapore and of emerging migration scholars also shows, Indian medical students in China, the profiles this field is surprisingly diverse. Seonyoung across the Asia-Pacific region is becoming Seo’s research on Nepali ‘middle class’ increasingly diverse. Asian nations like Japan, migrants in is particularly South Korea and China, which were formerly relevant here. Experiencing downward mainly known for restricting immigration mobility as part of their migration trajectories, policies themselves, are now actively recruiting their position within the country’s Employment variously skilled migrants. Important factors of Permit System also puts them in a particularly influence here are not just the desire for global precarious position. competitivity – thus resulting in a talent race One of Seo’s publications appeared for the best and brightest – but also rapidly in a special issue with Current Sociology, ageing societies and low fertility rates. co-edited by Brenda Yeoh and myself, The corona-crisis which is likely to be which focused on migrant temporalities in ongoing when this Newsletter goes to press, an attempt to raise awareness for the role has again raised awareness to the plight of time itself plays in migration trajectories.11 migrant workers across Asia and the Gulf. In this special issue, we suggest to think The mass exodus of migrant workers from of this focus as another paradigmatic shift, Indian cities to their hometowns and villages which like the focus on the migration industry has already made headlines and underlines builds on the mobilities turn and its focus on the importance of research in internal as non-movement, waiting and other constraints much as international migration. A first that migration regimes put in place for cross- publication that addresses this has just come border mobility. It is in particularly Western out. Carefully edited and brought together Sydney University scholar Shanthi Robertson’s by Ranabir Samaddar, it is titled Borders of work that has shed important light on how the an Epidemic: Covid-19 and Migrant Workers concept of time and temporality can help add (2020).13 There is no doubt that in the coming understanding of how migrants negotiate their years we will see important analysis of the lives across borders, not just being dependent impact the outbreak of the virus has had on on the way migration infrastructures the lives, well-being and futures of migrant occasionally put constraints on opportunities workers everywhere. But with the limitations of employment and, more in general, their life it has put on mobility, the question of mobility on hold, but also literally demands of them to more general will be at the forefront of many organize their life according to the schedules new research projects and publications. In of their employers while keeping in mind the line with the earlier-mentioned mobility turn, time-zone their family back home ‘exists’ in. questions will more than ever revolve around immobility and the governance of mobility. Who gets to migrate, under what conditions, Migrant’s body for how long and where to, will be more and visibility important to such projects than ever before. Above-mentioned research has also Michiel Baas, University of Amsterdam contributed to a growing awareness of the migrant’s body (and associated emotions, feelings and experiences). Amsterdam Notes University Press published an edited volume titled The Asian Migrant’s Body: Emotion, 1 This introduction draws upon Baas, M. Gender and Sexuality (2020).12 It raises two & Yeoh, B. 2019. ‘Introduction: Critical important questions: How is the migrant’s body Temporalities and Migration Studies’, impacted by the trajectory embarked on? And Current Sociology 67(2):161-68; https://doi. org/10.1177%2F0011392118792924 how is this body utilized as part of this? In the 2 Sheller, M. & Urry, J. 2006. ‘The New co-authored Introduction, Peidong Yang and Mobilities Paradigm’, Environment and I unpack how we may ground this question in Planning A: Economy and Space 38(2): theory, especially with respect to questions 207-226; https://doi.org/10.1068/a37268 of embodiment, agency and visibility. As the 3 Xiang, B., Yeoh, B. and Lindquist, J. 2012. contributions to the volume show – ranging from ‘Opening the Black Box of Migration: female beer sellers in Southeast Asia (Denise Brokers, the Organization of Transnational L. Spitzer) and migrant domestic workers in Mobility and the Changing Political Lebanon (Amrita Pande) and Singapore (Maria Economy in Asia’, Pacific Affairs 85(1):7-19. of papers that were initially presented at a it also illuminates how old- and newcomers Platt et al.), to same-sex migrants in the Middle 4 https://pacificaffairs.ubc.ca/ubc-product/ volume-91-no-4 workshop held in Tokyo and jointly organized relate to each other. Besides that, Farrer East and South Asian employees in the beauty 5 Baas, M. (ed.) 2020. The Migration by Waseda University and the Asia Research pays specific attention to how the perspective industry in California (Hareem Khan) – factors Industry in Asia: Brokerage, Gender and Institute. Welcoming researchers working on of laowai or foreigners itself has changed. of gender, sexuality, race and ethnicity all Precariousness. Palgrave MacMillan: Asia, but also including those whose work The emergence of Shanghai as a financial contribute to the way a migration trajectory Palgrave Pivot. focuses on the Middle East, helped broaden powerhouse and global city forms an is experienced at an individual level. 6 Baas, M. (ed.) 2019. ‘The Education- perspectives and develop an understanding important backdrop for the analysis. The question of visibility also speaks Migration Industry: International Students, of how different migration regimes compare As such, it also points at important to issues of diversity and visibility that Migration Policy and the Question of Skills’, with and speak to each other. What is striking geopolitical changes that have put the were central to two different collaborative International Migration 57(3):222-234; is how much skill and its hierarchical layering spotlight on Asian nations, not just as workshops between the Asia Research https://doi.org/10.1111/imig.12540 7 Liu-Farrer, G., Yeoh, B. & Baas, M. 2020. is often deeply subjective, and how migration ‘emerging’, but now ranking as among the Institute and European Universities. The first ‘Social Construction of Skill: An Analytical pathways are as a result characterized most important economies. Recent work, such workshop (2017) was with Humboldt Approach Toward the Question of Skill by unequal opportunities and rights. which I won’t discuss here in detail has, for University (initiated and hosted by Magdalena in Cross-Border Labour Mobilities’, The JEMS special issue pays specific instance, investigated how this has changed Nowicka) and focused specifically on migrant Introduction to a Special Issue for attention to the emergence of Japan as dynamics of race, and especially that of encounters and diversity of urban space. Journal of Ethnic and Migration a migration destination. In contrast to the ‘being white’, as a factor of privilege in Bringing together papers from all-over Studies; https://doi.org/10.1080/136918 country’s former image as one of Asia’s migrant/expat trajectories in Asian cities. the world it gave important impetus to the 3X.2020.1731983 most closed-off nations to migrants, more question of how diversity is experienced 8 Liu -Farrer, G. 2020. Immigrant Japan: recently it has come to boast one of the most and the way migrants are ‘encountered’. Mobility and Belonging in an Ethno- open skilled migration programs. This is also The latter also figured as an important nationalist Society. Cornell University Temporalities Press. the focus of Gracia Liu-Farrer’s recent and question in a jointly organized workshop in and transience 9 Farrer, J. 2019. International Migrants timely book Immigrant Japan: Mobility and Paris, hosted by INALCO (Institut National in China’s Global City. The New Belonging in an Ethno-nationalist Society Migration-focused journal Transitions: des Langues et Civilisations Orientals) and Shanghailanders. Routledge. (2020),8 just published by Cornell University Journal of Transient Migration, which the Sorbonne. Through Delphine Pages-El 10 Baas, M. 2017. ‘The Mobile Middle: Press. The fact that former Asian sending Melbourne-based RMIT-scholar Catherine Karoui and colleagues’ contributions – Indian Skilled Migrants in Singapore nations are now becoming destinations for Gomes recently launched and continues to whose work is primarily oriented toward and the ‘Middling’ Space In-Between skilled migrants themselves, also emerges helm, speaks to some of the concerns that the Middle East – we were able to develop a Migration Categories.’ Transitions: from James Farrer recent book International also percolate through earlier mentioned comparative perspective on migrant diversity Journal of Transient Migration 1(1):47-62; Migrants in China’s Global City (2019), studies. Especially the emergence of mid-level and visibility in respective cities. Ongoing https://doi.org/10.1386/tjtm.1.1.47_1 11 ibid. Baas & Yeow, 2019. with its focus on, as he calls it, ‘the new skilled migrants – that I myself conceptualized attempts to segregate low-skilled migrants 9 12 Baas, M. 2020. The Asian Migrant’s Shanghailanders’. While central to his as the ‘mobile middle’ (2017) in the journal’s from day-to-day urban life by housing them Body: Emotion, Gender and Sexuality. 10 exploration are migrants (‘expats’) from the opening issue – raises new and important in far-off dormitories and restricting their Amsterdam University Press. West who have made Shanghai their home questions here. Often highly-educated but movement contrasted markedly with these 13 Available for free online: http://www.mcrg. prior to China more generally becoming not employed in positions that neatly cities’ ambitions to radiate cosmopolitanism, ac.in/RLS_Migration_2020/COVID-19.pdf a migration destination for skilled migrants, correspond to their level of education, this characterized by diversity. (visited 19-05-20) 14 The May Fourth Centenary There are as many ‘May Fourths’ as there have The Study been commemorations of May Fourth

May Fourth at 100 in Singapore and Hong Kong Memorialization, localization, and negotiation

Els van Dongen and David Kenley As 2019 marked the centenary of China’s May Fourth demonstrations, in this piece, we reflect on how this event and the broader movement surrounding it were commemorated in Singapore and Hong Kong, with reference to Southeast Asia. We probe the question of how the movement’s ‘memorialization’ and ‘localization’ in these two settings were shaped by both hen the centenary of China’s 1919 their connection with China and the history of British colonialism. Politicians, intellectuals, May Fourth demonstrations drew and students negotiated the meaning of the movement congruent with a variety of agendas, Wnear, China watchers turned their gaze towards the politics of remembrance in whereas the commemorations also coincided with another anniversary in Singapore and the People’s Republic of China. They noted the official emphasis on patriotism and the ‘spirit occurred amidst political protests in Hong Kong. of youth’, thus leaving the May Fourth legacy of ‘Mr Science’ and ‘Mr Democracy’ all but buried. Official interpretations foregrounded movement, such as Chen Duxiu (1879-1942) and Hong Kong, the authors of this piece, rule. What’s more, in both places ideological what is now known as the May Fourth Incident, or Lu Xun (1881-1936). Remarkably, their ranks together with Huang Jianli, held a panel divisions have intersected with linguistic or the gathering of thousands of students at now include previously denounced liberal discussion at the National Library in Singapore divisions, including but not limited to an English- in in response to the transfer intellectuals such as Hu Shih (1891-1962), in November 2019.2 To some extent, we have educated versus a Chinese-educated elite. of Germany’s former rights in to or critics of the movement, such as those around all studied May Fourth from the angles that Returning to the May Fourth period, what Japan. Later, however, the term May Fourth the journal Critical Review [學衡], including Wu Edward Wang describes. Els van Dongen forms did the movement take in Singapore and also came to denote a range of cultural, Mi (1894-1978), Mei Guangdi (1890-1945), and has investigated the re-evaluation of May Hong Kong? Although it is equally hard to define political, social, and ideological advancements Hu Xiansu (1894-1968). Renewed interest in the Fourth ‘conservatives’ in mainland China and May Fourth outside China, large-scale protests in the years before and after 1919. Seen latter also relates to the so-called ‘Republican transnational interactions involving debates also occurred in these places in the spring of through this lens, the movement spurred the fever’ and scholarly trends such as ‘national on ‘radicalism’ and the meaning of May Fourth 1919. Throughout May, Chinese residents of reorganization of the Kuomintang, witnessed studies’, as well as to the reassessment of after 1989. David Kenley was an early exponent Singapore called for boycotts and strikes, and the rise of ‘-isms’ – individualism, nationalism, ‘conservative’ critics of May Fourth as moderns of the transnational perspective on May Fourth these calls amounted to violence on the night liberalism, and feminism among them – and and cosmopolitans. and analyzed its meaning in Singapore in his of 19 June 1919. The Straits Times reported facilitated the adoption of the vernacular. Secondly, localization denotes a change from well-known monograph New Culture in a New that a mob “made bonfires in the middle of Furthermore, it instigated student and workers’ the study of May Fourth in Beijing to cities and World (2003). Finally, Huang Jianli has written the roads, and with the air filled with piercing movements and the expansion of the public regions across China, but also to transnational extensively on questions of commemoration, screams and shouts, scenes of wild confusion sphere. Since the movement contained all connections with movements such as the March historiography, and student activism in reigned”.5 Eventually the Governor called on these facets, it is not surprising that there are First Movement in Korea. A well-known study both China and Singapore.3 the sailors of the docked warship Manchester as many ‘May Fourths’ as there have been in this regard is Erez Manela’s The Wilsonian Why Singapore and Hong Kong? One reason to help patrol the city. By the early morning, commemorations of May Fourth. Moment (2007), which links May Fourth with is that both witness a complex dynamic in the demonstration died out, but it had caused While the shifting meaning of May Fourth in other national self-determination movements terms of how they relate to mainland China. In severe damage, had claimed four lives (two the People’s Republic of China has been gaining through the Paris Peace Conference. May his book, Kenley asked: What did a movement Chinese and two Indians), had seriously injured attention, a less frequently asked question is: Fourth has hence also become subjected to with nationalist traits come to signify among eight individuals, and had led to the arrest What did and does the movement mean for the so-called ‘transnational turn’ in academia. members of the Chinese diaspora? He has of over 130 participants. Similarly, in Hong Chinese communities outside of mainland Finally, memorialization, or how May Fourth answered this by situating the movement Kong, students and journalists led rallies and China? To answer this, we first need to revisit has been remembered, reveals the influence between the oft designated twin themes of demonstrations while business leaders called developments in scholarship. In an article of the international turn to history and memory the movement, namely ‘nationalism’ and for a boycott of Japanese-made products. Nine written for May Fourth’s centenary, the historian since Pierre Nora famously popularized the ‘enlightenment’, and that of ‘transnationalism’. students were arrested and fined. Their crime? Edward Wang pinpoints three main trends in notion of lieux de mémoire [sites of memory]. However, both cities also manifest a strong sense They marched in the street holding umbrellas Chinese scholarship on May Fourth since the In recent publications on May Fourth, scholars of local identity shaped by both interactions with 國貨 [national products] written on top. 1990s. He terms these trends ‘individualization’, interrogate existing ways of remembering with China and the history of British rule. Indeed, Nevertheless, as was the case in China, these ‘localization’, and ‘memorialization’. The first the movement.1 in May Fourth in Hong Kong [五四在香港] Chan 1919 protests in Singapore and Hong Kong can trend, individualization, refers to research on Hok Yin has analyzed interpretations of May best be understood as part of a larger, multi- renowned intellectuals associated with the Fourth based on three historical perspectives: year movement that transcends temporary Singapore and Hong that of British colonialism, that of nationalism nationalist concerns. Community leaders were before British rule, and that of local identity.4 also motivated by a commitment to greater Inset left: Leaflet for exhibition 'The Awakening of Kong: local identities and a Generation: The May Fourth and New Culture connections In spite of the vastly different trajectories of democracy, and by a desire to implement new Movement' at Dr Sun Yat-sen Museum, Hong Kong. both cities, local identity has been shaped intellectual trends and ideas. They sought to Inset right: Book cover of May Fourth in Southeast To explore how the localization and and discussed through and in response to this destroy the icons of the past and usher in a Asia (Singapore: Bafang wenhua chuangzuoshi, 2019). Behind: Protest against extradition bill in Hong Kong, memorialization of May Fourth intersect in double connection of the changing relation with new era of science and enlightenment. But May June 2019. the May Fourth centenaries in Singapore mainland China and the long shadow of British Fourth in Singapore and Hong Kong had some The Newsletter No. 86 Summer 2020 15 The Study

rather distinct elements as well. Intellectuals in without the knowledge of their past history, Likewise, Hong Kong also had official and Notes Singapore used the movement to call for more origin and culture is like a tree without roots”. unofficial commemorations coinciding with the 1 Wang, Q.E. 2019. ‘The Chinese local control over Singapore affairs. In some Also, several historians, sociologists, political May Fourth centennial. For example, the Dr Sun historiography of the May Fourth ways, the movement was an internal power scientists, and literature studies scholars Yat-sen Museum in Central, Hong Kong hosted Movement, 1990s to the present’, struggle over the issue of what it meant to be contributed to the 2019 publication May Fourth a multi-month exhibition titled ‘The Awakening Twentieth-Century China 44(2):138-49; Chinese in Singapore. Essayists, poets, and in Southeast Asia [五四在东南亚]. The editors of a Generation: The May Fourth and New Lin, C.Y-K. & Mair, V.H. (eds) 2020. commentators repudiated some of the literary of the volume considered May Fourth to have Culture Movement’. The exhibition contained Remembering May Fourth: The Movement trends emerging in China, calling instead for ushered in an age of democracy, knowledge, copies of New Youth [新青年] and other journals and its Centennial Legacy. Brill; Hon, T. greater attention to local themes. Often, the and science, calling it “a precious cultural from 1919, as well as a collection of photographs 2019. ‘Introduction: One movement, many struggles pitted the more recently arrived heritage for all mankind”. But contributors and biographies of the movement’s leaders, voices: May Fourth after one hundred years’, Contemporary Chinese Thought immigrants against the more long settled also noted how the Chinese in Southeast Asia and discussions of the participants’ goals. 50(1-2):1-4. Chinese residents within Singapore. had reinterpreted May Fourth for their own Most of the items were on loan from the Beijing 2 van Dongen, E., Kenley, D. & Huang, J. benefit. For example, Guo Huifen discussed the Lu Xun Museum and the exhibition largely held 2019. ‘What was the May Fourth Movement emergence of a unique form of writing, namely to the Communist Party’s official interpretation and what did it mean for Singapore?: Negotiating the meanings New Malayan-Chinese Literature. Referring to of May Fourth as having developed into a Perspectives on its hundredth anniversary’, Fang Xiu, she ascribed the emergence of this “nationwide patriotic movement supported Public lecture and panel discussion, NTU of May Fourth in 2019 literature to the ‘internal’ demands of local by all walks of society” distinct from the History Series, National Library, Singapore, While this brief detour to the May Fourth Chinese and the ‘external’ influence of May iconoclastic intellectual, cultural, and political 28 November 2019. period already reflects the tensions between Fourth’s Literary Revolution.8 Other contributors trends of the era.11 3 van Dongen, E. 2019. Realistic Revolution: the connection to events in China and the to the volume discussed May Fourth in relation There were, however, some newer artefacts Contesting Chinese History, Culture, and Politics After 1989. Cambridge University quest for local distinction, commemorations to themes such as education, newspapers and displayed in the exhibition. Students from the Press; Kenley, D. 2003. New Culture in a of May Fourth since 1989 also reveal the periodicals, Sinophone literature, translations of Academy of Visual Arts of Hong Kong Baptist New World: The May Fourth Movement impact of the legacy of colonialism and the May Fourth writings, or anti-colonial sentiment University created original artwork interpreting and the Chinese Diaspora in Singapore, Cold War. With reform and opening up in across Southeast Asia. the meaning of the movement in the form 1919-1932. Routledge; Hong, L. & Huang, J. China, renewed interactions occurred between In other words, local intellectuals utilized May of , calligraphy, seal engraving, 2008. The Scripting of a National History: scholars in mainland China and those in Hong Fourth to create an intellectual space between and collage. One of the images showed Singapore and Its Pasts. NUS Press and Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, Europe, and the them and their counterparts in China. This the character 民 (meaning ‘people’ or even Hong Kong University Press; Huang, J. United States. Under the dominant narrative of ‘localization’ of May Fourth in Singapore had ‘democracy’) dripping blood and transforming 1996. The Politics of Depoliticization economic reform, and with debates on the East also been present in previous commemorations into a question mark. In the caption, the artist in Republican China: Guomindang Policy Towards Student Political Activism, Asian economic miracle, May Fourth became according to Huang Xianqiang and Shi Yan, who asked: “As time goes by, what will democracy 1927–1949. Peter Lang AG. negatively associated with ‘radicalism’ and studied May Fourth remembrance in Singapore become? What will people think of it? Will it 4 Chan, H.Y. 2014. Wusi zai Xianggang: ‘revolution’, both among Chinese communities through newspaper articles and Chinese make society fairer and better? Or will it become Zhimin qingjing, minzu zhuyi ji bentu worldwide and among mainland scholars. associations. Similarly, writing about May a means of exploitation?” Another student yishi [May Fourth in Hong Kong: Colonial In a 2009 article published in Singapore’s Fourth in Hong Kong, Chan Hok Yin has argued wrote in calligraphy, ‘Nation, Power, Traitor’. Scenario, Nationalism and Localism]. Lianhe Zaobao [联合早报], leading intellectuals that the May Fourth legacy has been subjected The accompanying caption read, “Inspired Hong Kong: Chung Hwa Book Company; Wang Gungwu and Zheng Yongnian already to reinterpretations by various actors to achieve by the slogan of the May Fourth Movement see also Chan, H.Y. 2019. Jiaguo zhijian: criticized the ‘ideologization’ of May Fourth shifting goals at critical moments in Hong Kong’s ‘Fight for sovereignty externally, get rid of the Wusi zai Xianggang bainian huiwang and argued instead for an open attitude of history. Calling for patriotism, progress, reform, traitors at home’. Power and traitor are always [Between Local and National: A Centennial discussion. They called for a move beyond or democracy, they defended their respective in a close relationship, even now”. Still another Retrospection of May Fourth in Hong Kong]. Hong Kong: Xianggang chengshi daxue the simplistic praise of the ‘May Fourth political positions with the help of May Fourth student created a collage of the May Fourth chubanshe. 9 spirit’ in revolutionary times and the drastic vocabulary. Even a century after the events, intellectual Hu Shih. The artist explained, 5 Straits Times, 20 June 1919. denouncement of May Fourth as radical in negotiating the meanings of May Fourth is “The work originates from Hu Shih’s article 6 Wang, G. & Zheng, Y. 2019. ‘Xu san: peaceful times. Whether this objective was by no means complete. entitled ‘Our Hopes for the Students’. It stresses Xunhui, er fei gaobie ‘wusi’’ [Preface three: achieved in 2019 was, however, another that those in power should not suppress the Retrieving and not saying goodbye to ‘May matter.6 In Singapore, the former Minister of student movement, and reminds the students Fourth’], in Wang, R. & Pan, G. (eds) Wusi Foreign Affairs, George Yeo, used social media Commemorations not to be snared by politicians”. zai Dongnanya [May Fourth in Southeast to pen an essay on the May Fourth centennial. Umbrellas played a role in the 1919 Hong Asia]. Singapore: Bafang wenhua He wrote in glowing terms about its legacy and coincidences Kong student boycotts and protests. Not chuangzuoshi, pp.xxi-xxvi. Originally published in Lianhe Zaobao, 24 April 2009. and the tremendous accomplishments of Both Singapore and Hong Kong also surprisingly, the student artists also co-opted 7 George Yeo, Reflection on the Hundredth the Chinese people in the century since. The witnessed unintended, coincidental activities the umbrella in their contemporary art works. Anniversary of May Fourth, Facebook ‘dramatic change’, according to Yeo, was that that seem strikingly reminiscent of the In one seal engraving, the artist depicted a post, 4 May 2019, https://tinyurl.com/ China, from being spat upon a century ago May Fourth Movement of a century ago. police officer chasing after a group of umbrella- GeorgeYeo-May42019, accessed had now become ‘increasingly feared’ by In Singapore, 2019 also happened to be the wielding students. In another piece, the artist 8 June 2020. major powers. But he also used the opportunity 200-year anniversary of the ‘founding’ of repurposed umbrella handles to create seal 8 Nanyang Confucian Association, to issue some warnings and veiled criticisms Singapore by the British Stamford Raffles. engravings. The caption read: “This set of ‘Wusi yundong bainian jinian guoji xueshu from the vantage point of the globalized and In January of last year, Singaporeans woke seals invites visitors to reimagine and develop yantaohui: Cong fan chuantong dao multi-ethnic city-state. He said: “It will be a up to find the statue of Raffles—perhaps the their understanding of how the movement has huigui chuantong’ [May Fourth centenary mistake if the centennial message of May most visible icon of Singapore’s colonial past— shaped contemporary times”. While the symbol international academic symposium: From opposing tradition to returning to Fourth is a continued emphasis on standing literally erased from public view with the help of the umbrella is more often associated with tradition], Symposium at Furama City up to foreigners”. Instead, he called for a of creative artists employing optical illusions. 21st century Hong Kong protests, these works Centre, Singapore, 4 May 2019; Wang, R. revised New Culture Movement that would A few days later, Raffles was visually restored of art clearly demonstrate the use of the May & Pan, G. (eds) Wusi zai Dongnanya, back be beneficial to all mankind, embracing to his former perch but found himself joined Fourth past to empower the activists of today. cover; Guo, H. citing Fang, X., ‘Zhongguo multiculturalism and religious diversity.7 by four new statues of Sang Nila Utama, Tan While the Dr Sun Yat-sen Museum staff Xin Wenhua Yundong zai Dongnanya de Besides politicians, Singapore’s intellectuals Tock Seng, Munshi Abdullah, and Naraina planned and created the May Fourth chuanbo’ [The spread of the Chinese and associations also took part in the Pillai. These four, representing the main ethnic commemoration before the protests erupted New Culture Movement in Southeast Asia], commemoration of the May Fourth centennial. groups of Singapore, challenge the traditional in the streets of Hong Kong, it is impossible Wusi zai Dongnanya, p.84. For example, on 4 May 2019, the Nanyang colonial narrative privileging the role of the not to reflect on those protests in light of 9 See Huang, X. & Shi, Y. 2010. ‘Wusi jinian zai Xinjiapo: Yi Huawen Confucian Association held a symposium in British. While the vanishing Raffles statue the May Fourth centennial. On 9 June 2019, baozhang de baodao he Huashe jiyi wei the historic Chinatown entitled ‘From Opposing was not directly tied to the centennial May approximately 1,000,000 demonstrators zhongxin’ [May Fourth remembrance Tradition to Returning to Tradition’, which Fourth commemorations, the iconoclastic took to the streets in Hong Kong. Much like in Singapore: With Chinese newspaper featured speakers from Taiwan and mainland link between the two is striking. Interestingly, their compatriots of 1919, they were angry articles and Chinese associations at the China. At the event, reference was also made one Straits Times letter writer quickly pointed at their government and demanded greater center], in Niu, D. & Ouyang, Z. (eds) Wusi to a Facebook post by Prime Minister Lee Hsien out that Raffles was joined only by other accountability and democracy. Specifically, de lishi yu lishi zhongde Wusi: Beijing Loong in which the latter wrote: “A people men and asked, “where are the women?”10 they asked for the withdrawal of the daxue jinian Wusi yundong 90 zhounian controversial extradition bill that they claimed guoji xueshu yantaohui lunwenji [May was eroding Hong Kong’s civil liberties. But Fourth’s History and May Fourth in History: Proceedings of the International beyond this, the protests were also about Academic Symposium at the Occasion asserting independence and distinctiveness of the 90th Anniversary of May Fourth at relative to the mainland. We cannot ignore Peking University]. Beijing: Beijing daxue the significance of student leadership in both chubanshe, pp.619-41; cases, with students wielding their umbrellas Chan, H.Y. 2014. Wusi zai Xianggang. as a sign of resistance. 10 Tan, G. ‘Why Raffles flanked by statues of One hundred years after the events in only men’, Straits Times, 12 January 2019, Beijing, it is clear that scholars, politicians, https://tinyurl.com/raffles-statues. and activists are still contesting the legacy On bicentennial politics in Singapore, of the May Fourth Movement, both in China see also Huang, J. 2018. ‘Stamford Raffles and the ‘founding’ of Singapore: and across Chinese communities. As seen in The politics of commemoration and Hong Kong and Singapore, the designated dilemmas of history’, Journal of the May Fourth themes of ‘nationalism’ and Malaysian Branch of the Royal Asiatic ‘enlightenment’ could take on transnational Society 91(2):103-22. forms in support of China, but they could also 11 This quote is taken from the exhibition be transformed for the advocacy of distinct program titled ‘The Awakening of a local identities and contemporary concerns. Generation: The May Fourth and New Culture Movement’. The exhibition ran Els van Dongen, Assistant Professor of from 26 April through 25 August 2019 History, Nanyang Technological University, at the Dr Sun Yat-sen Museum located Singapore [email protected] at 7 Castle Road, Mid-Levels, Central, Hong Kong. All quotes are taken directly David Kenley, Dean of Arts and from the student-written captions as Above: The statue of Stamford Raffles surrounded by four new statues Sciences, Dakota State University, USA recorded during the author’s visit to of Sang Nila Utama, Tan Tock Seng, Munshi Abdullah, and Naraina Pillai. [email protected] the museum on 15 July 2019. 16 Urban climate and material culture Urban infrastructure, energy transition The Study and social inequality

Ode to the ‘little sun’

Everyday thermal practice and energy The ‘little sun’ [小太阳] is a small electronic infrared heater used infrastructure in Chongqing (China) to warm one’s body. Since the implementation of the ‘Great Heating Divide’ in the 1950s, apartments in cities in the southern subtropical part of China are built without connection to a Madlen Kobi central or district heating grid. The materiality of architecture reinforces the cold, as insulation is deficient, windows are often only single glazed and there are many air-leak points in the façade. How then, do residents keep themselves warm during the cooler months? And how are everyday objects embedded in urban energy landscapes?

century, traditional wooden stilted houses [吊脚楼] regulated the hot summer temp- eratures by virtue of their location on hilly terrain, where cold air from the river would flow up through natural microclimatic air movements. High humidity was combated with bamboo walls to facilitate ventilation and summer sun radiation was minimized by constructing houses on terraces, thereby reducing the surface area of each individual dwelling. Between the 1960s and 1980s, characteristic socialist, sometimes Soviet-inspired, six-storey brick buildings, often arranged in work unit compounds [单位], came to dominate the built landscape. Cross-ventilation was achievable by having window or door openings on two opposite sides and through the use of open staircases as well as lattice-style openings above doors and windows. In the 1990s, high-rise buildings started to emerge, but even those maintained characteristics appropriate for passive climate control, such as air and light shafts. Due to the availability of state-subsidized and thus affordable electricity, many residents have installed air-conditioning to cool their apartments during the hot summer months. However, the predominant approach to architectural structure barely considers the cool and moist winter conditions. This neglect is embedded in the materiality of the buildings themselves: one of the features of the rapidly expanding cities in rban energy infrastructure results Living below the ‘Heating Subtropical architecture China since the 1990s has been the implicit from the mutual engagement of builders, Demarcation Line’ in Chongqing state support of houses being built with Uresidents and designers choosing and cheap materials. Apropos thermal issues, the forming materials along ecological, economic Chinese cities are known for their During the cooler months, indoor and workings of the construction business impede or aesthetic guidelines. In light of recent climate heavy air pollution, caused mainly by outdoor temperatures are often much the the construction of solidly insulated and long- change discussions, energy consumption is traffic and the burning of coal. Besides same. The coldness of urban apartments in lasting housing infrastructures. In general, increasingly scrutinized. As a response, the this pan-Chinese phenomenon, local urban Chongqing stems from the fact that the main there is a lack of trust towards construction Chinese government is continuously developing climates vary greatly and are determined concern of the subtropical architecture is companies because, as an architect from energy efficiency standards for the building by topography, winds and seasonal variation, mitigating the heat of the summer months. Chongqing commented, “if something can industry. This includes promoting low carbon ranging from the arid continental climates This is traceable in the architectural history be done with cheap materials, construction dioxide and sustainable construction through in the northwest to the tropical regions in the of the region. At the beginning of the twentieth companies will do it, even if more ecologically national and local insulation guidelines. southeast. Cities are also characterized by Institutional changes are, however, only efficient microclimates resulting from, among others, if the practices and habits of individuals change urban heat island effects, built structures too. In Chongqing, residents give little thought and green areas. to energy consumption when they switch on Chongqing, the capital of an eponymous air-conditioning or radiators; they do so as municipality under direct administration a necessary means to create thermal comfort of the central government, has roughly indoors because the existing infrastructure 8 million inhabitants and is located on does not aid in this task. the shores of the Yangtze river, in a humid While use of air-conditioning in summer,1 subtropical climate in . and heating infrastructures in cold regions,2 Even if its extreme climate periods are short have been researched extensively in Asia, less (July/August in summer and December/ attention has been paid to heating practices January in winter), citizens have developed in the subtropical regions. My research on various strategies to stay warm or keep cool the thermal practices of urban residents in accordingly. With temperatures ranging Chongqing focuses on this under-researched between 5°C and 10°C in the coolest months, climatic region. I emphasize that architecture Chongqing winters seem mild. However, most and household practices respond to one apartments have no heating appliances another in what Castán Broto pointedly installed. This is a legacy from socialist times, describes as the “urban energy landscape”.3 when the government defined an arbitrary line separating the north of China from the south. District-supplied heating is only Above: High-rise landscape along Yangtze River in Central Chongqing (Kobi, 2015). installed in urban apartment buildings Right: Historical photo of the stilted houses in the north. In Chongqing, as in other cities that dominated Chongqing’s cityscape until the south of the line, such as , mid-twentieth century. (Wang, C. (ed.) 2013. Lao Fangzi. Chongqing Yingxiang. Chongqing or Shanghai, thermal responsibility for Chubanshe, p.131) the winter period is left to residents. The Newsletter No. 86 Summer 2020 17 The Study

Quilted pyjamas in a clothes shop in Chongqing at the beginning of the winter season. The sign reads: ‘New on the market; no bargaining’. (Kobi 2017).

temperature, humidity, sunshine or air quality In that sense, any sort of energy transition in is related to the use of objects, materials or Chongqing needs to address the particular technologies. Some of my informants indicate socio-political context in which local that they employ devices such as air- architecture emerges. It is not sufficient conditioning machines in the heating mode, simply to change the energy source or the electric blankets or radiators to keep warm. building material; we have to consider how Others prefer non-electrical practices such as the materiality of the urban energy landscape drinking hot tea, dressing in quilted pyjamas is embedded in everyday rhythms. or using heat patches. This combination of Access to state heating benefits for objects, technologies and material culture for Chinese urban residents north and south the production of comfortable and liveable of the Heating Demarcation Line has been spaces forms a “system of thermal-material unequal for decades. Installing district heating culture”.5 Besides such thermal-material infrastructure in southern China, with all the cultures depending on geographical climatic necessary pipes and heat production plants, contexts, they are also shaped along seems out of question in light of current intersections of socio-economic status, age energy transition aims. However, by improving and gender.6 structural insulation, electricity consumption The ‘little sun’ is one of the objects employed could be significantly reduced – both in to improve comfort. Through the infrared waves summer and in winter, as there would be no it emits, the device warms all parts of the body need for excessive air-conditioning or ‘little in the focus of its radiation. While it cannot suns’. Further, it would lessen socio-economic be used to heat rooms or entire apartments, division within the south, as at present Warming the body with a ‘little sun’. (Kobi, 2018). it serves well for warming the body. In shops, financial means decide access to different sales personnel put the device under the forms of heating. Well-off residents can afford table to warm their legs while waiting for to install electric underfloor heating, while friendly materials such as triple-glazed fundamental differences in their materiality customers. Students use it when sitting at less privileged people have to rely on quilted windows are now available”.4 In all areas of and social use. While the thermal structure their desks. And people enjoy its heat radiation pyjamas or small heating devices at best. urban development, the implementation of of buildings is defined by national policies in apartments, too. One informant told me In contemporary China, energy transition sustainable development goals seems more and construction companies, the indoor that his mother prefers her ‘little sun’ to the is related to fundamental questions of who difficult on the ground than its proclamation thermal environment is very much dependent conventional radiator as it emits a reddish- has the right to access governmental heating in policy. Designs may meet the stipulated on the inhabitants’ agency, as they yellow light that reminds her of the open fire infrastructure and how far keeping one’s codes, but there is little control of the finished compensate for and adapt to the lack of in her rural childhood home. It is this warm body warm is a private issue. building. Another problem is that, for instance, insulation with their own flexible practices. glow but also the (often) round form of the thicker walls consume precious floor area heaters that have led to their nickname. Madlen Kobi, where every square metre is valuable for Because Chongqing winters are damp Institute for the History and Theory pricing an apartment. While it would be Thermal infrastructure and and foggy and there is almost no sun, the of Art and Architecture, relatively easy, from a material-technical ‘little sun’ is also kind of a substitute – filling Università della Svizzera Italiana, everyday material culture Mendrisio, Switzerland. point of view, to apply insulation boards in between the rare moments when the [email protected] or vapour and air barriers to the interior Given that the structure of houses in ‘real’ sun shows up. surfaces of walls, constructors and tenants Chongqing does not provide comfort in winter, both prefer to have more floor space. I argue that we have to include residents’ These findings underline the fact that everyday practices in response as part of Energy transition despite high-rise buildings all over the world thinking about thermal infrastructure and Notes looking alike from the outside, there are urban energy landscapes. The regulation of and social inequality In the Chongqing winter, people keep 1 E.g., Sahakian, M. 2018. ‘Indoor themselves warm through the use of Urbanism: Air-Conditioned Microclimates in Metro Manila (The Philippines)’, objects such as the ‘little sun’. We often in Roesler, S. & Kobi, M. (eds) The Urban neglect to properly consider how such use Microclimate as Artifact: Towards an of everyday material culture complements Architectural Theory of Thermal Diversity. thermal infrastructure. The construction of Basel: Birkhäuser, pp.64-81; Hitchings, R. thermal comfort should not be conceived & Lee, S.J. 2008. ‘Air Conditioning and as a linear relation between a technology the Material Culture of Routine Human and its beneficiaries, such as a heating Encasement: The Case of Young People infrastructure being employed to warm in Contemporary Singapore’, Journal of apartments. Rather, when thinking about Material Culture 13(3):251–65. energy transition, I suggest that not only 2 E.g., Collier, St. 2011. Post-Soviet Social: Neoliberalism, Social Modernity, institutional improvements (such as greening Biopolitics. Princeton University Press. measures, low-carbon transport options or 3 Castán Broto, V. 2019. Urban Energy carbon dioxide reduction guidelines) but also Landscapes. Cambridge University Press. everyday practices should be considered. 4 Fieldwork conversation. September 2017. Through detailed studies of urban energy 5 Shove, E., Walker, G. & Brown, S. 2014. landscapes, the interrelatedness of thermal ‘Material Culture, Room Temperature structures, thermal regimes and thermal and the Social Organisation of practices becomes apparent. As Castán Broto Thermal Energy’, Journal of Material writes, “[m]any of the factors that shape Culture 19(2):113–24, p.115. 6 Kobi, M. 2019. ‘Contours of an Urban current energy systems, from electricity Architectural Anthropology: Built networks to the type of houses in which Environment, Climate Control and people live, have emerged over time as Socio-Material Practices in Winter part of a historical process through which in Chongqing (Southwest China)’, Characteristic apartment houses in Chongqing. Note the self-installed split-unit different features of energy systems become Social Anthropology 27(4):689–704. air-conditioners and the clothes hanging outside due to the high humidity indoors. (Kobi 2017) embedded in our societies and economies”.7 7 Ibid. Castán Broto, p.8. 18 Asian Studies in Pakistan A research asymmetry and lack The Study of an inclusive approach

Asian Studies in Pakistan

Gul-i-Hina Shahzad

The status of Asian Studies in Pakistan is quite fragmented. Although there are multiple University of the educational, research and policy institutes working on various topics related to Punjab, Allama Iqbal different countries and regions within Asia, there is a lack of a well-defined inclusive Campus (Old Campus). ‘Asian’ academic space that engages with all regions of the continent.

hile most of the educational into existence in Pakistan in 1973, and were (NUML), and the Gurmani Centre for As most of the scholarly work in the field institutes in Pakistan offer graduate based on the National Education Policy of Languages and Literature at Lahore University of Asian Studies was sparked by the political Wand undergraduate courses and 1972-1980, following the Indo-Pak War and of Management Sciences (LUMS). NUML is need for understanding other societies for specialisations focusing on Asia and Asian the separation of East-Pakistan (present- the most prominent language institute, with policy purposes, area-specific research languages, only a few universities have day Bangladesh) in 1971.1 This renewed multiple departments for Asian languages, clearly served utilitarian purposes, rather dedicated departments or research centres education policy catered to the political such as Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Arabic, than scholastic goals. Be that as it may, to carry out Asia-specific research. There need to study foreign societies that were of Persian, Pushto, Punjabi, among others. there is also an academic need to reorient are even fewer institutes that offer an entire utmost significance to the national interest of Established in 1969, initially it served as a and recognise the gaps within Asian Studies degree program with an inclusive Asia- Pakistan. Moreover, in 1975, the Area Study Act platform for language training for government in Pakistan by developing a more inclusive wide curriculum or Asia-centric research No. XLV passed by the Parliament of Pakistan personnel, but later upgraded to University approach and bringing other under- clusters. This is not to say that there is a mandated the establishment of six Area Study status in 2000. It now teaches 27 oriental represented Asian countries into the fold. lack of knowledge on Asia in the academic centres funded by the federal government. Of and occidental languages and offers degree Yet, with the existing de-globalised forms of sphere of Pakistan, but rather to argue that these six centres, three had an Asian-oriented programs in multiple campuses across knowledge production, we need to reconfigure Asian expertise does not concentrate under focus, namely, the Centre for South Asian Pakistan. The Gurmani Centre for Languages our globalised theories of knowledge with one banner, hence, limiting the scope of Studies at the University of Punjab in Lahore; and Literature at LUMS was founded in the local and regional theory building ‘discursive’ and ‘non-discursive’ knowledge Far East and Southeast Asia Study Centre at 2010 and specialises more on South Asian processes. It is crucial to reframe the Asian production on Asian Studies in Pakistan. the University of Sindh in Jamshoro; and the languages, such as Urdu, Persian, Punjabi, Studies narrative by including non-Western Apart from the educational institutes, there Area Study Centre (Russia, China, and Central Sindhi, Pashto, and Arabic. theories on Asia rather than heavily relying are multiple independent think tanks, policy Asia) at the University of Peshawar.2 These Area Although all of these Asian study and on the Euro-American centric accounts of and research centres as well as NGOs working Study centres engaged in interdisciplinary research centres have been engaging quite Asian Studies. Additionally, Asian Studies on Asia-related research, such as The Institute research through teaching, research training, actively over the past years in Pakistan, some should not only be confined to geographically of Regional Studies (IRS), Center for Research and organising conferences and seminars to of them have fallen dormant because of defined regions but efforts should also be and Security Studies (CRSS), Pakistan assist decision makers in Pakistan in designing either a shortage of funds or unavailability of made to study Asia from a thematic, i.e., China Institute (PCI), China Study Centre more informed foreign policymaking. qualified teachers.3 This has mostly led to the interdisciplinary and comparative perspective. at Sustainable Development Policy Institute The Centre for South Asian Studies is degradation of the research endeavours of In the case of Pakistan, this could be achieved (SDPI), Institute of Policy Studies (IPS), and located at Pakistan’s oldest and largest these institutes. As most of the funding came by enhancing public funding to promote Institute for Strategic Studies (ISS), to name a university – the University of Punjab in from the Higher Education Commission (HEC) multidisciplinary and inclusive Asia research in few. These institutes engage in diverse topics Lahore – and started its research in 1973, with of Pakistan in the past, these Asian Study colleges and universities, and by encouraging on Asia, covering politics, security, economy, a focus on the socioeconomic and political institutes must enhance their existing funding public-private partnerships and external culture, history or foreign affairs. However, the developments in South Asia, covering India, or access some external funding to invigorate funding initiatives among policy and research predominant focus of the research is South- Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and their research and Asia study programs. centres. Furthermore, we should continue to Asia centric, and recently more centred on the Maldives. Besides Master and facilitate cross-border research collaborations China rather than having an inclusive ‘Asian’ Doctorate degrees in South Asian Studies, the and academic exchange programs for Asian studies research approach. Centre also publishes two biannual journals: Moving forward Studies scholars in Pakistan, especially with Given this, I argue that the status of Asian the International Journal of South Asian Up until 2013, the number and regional regard to our neighbouring Asian countries, Studies in Pakistan is asymmetric as some Studies and the Journal of Indian Studies. distribution of Asia Study Centres remained as they will enable us to advance and co- regions within the continent dominate the Moreover, the University of Punjab also more or less the same. However, with the produce theoretically and methodologically academic and policy-oriented research hosts the Confucius Institute, which actively recent launch of the China-Pakistan Economic rigorous knowledge on Asia. We would space. Pakistan, strategically located at the promotes Chinese culture and language. Corridor (CPEC) under China’s Belt and Road gain much more in academic and scientific Arabian Sea and surrounded by India to the The research of the Far East and Southeast Initiative in 2013, there has been a surge in ventures by mutual Asian knowledge east, Afghanistan to the west, Iran to the Asia Study Centre at the University of Sindh the number of research institutes on China, gathering and sharing than confining this southwest, and China to the northeast, is of in Jamshoro, focuses on countries such as as we are witnessing the strengthening corpus of knowledge flow within our own much geopolitical significance at the Asian as Japan, , South Korea, China, of the Sino-Pak inter-governmental ties. borders. well as global level. Moreover, its rich history Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Consequently, many educational institutes and cultural tapestry have much to offer and Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar, Brunei, have initiated China Study Centres, such Gul-i-Hina Shahzad, Research share with other countries through research Thailand, Laos, and East Timor. The Centre as the China Study Centre at the University Assistant, New Silk Road Project, IIAS collaborations on Asian knowledge. In this publishes the Asia Pacific research journal of Balochistan, University of Sargodha, [email protected] article, I survey the major gatekeepers of annually. The Area Study Centre (Russia, Government College University in Lahore, Asian Studies research in Pakistan and trace China, and Central Asia) at the University COMSATS University, Bahria University, and out some possible factors and explanations of Peshawar caters to the research and the China Pakistan Management Initiative for this Asian research asymmetry and the academic needs of Peshawar, as well as of the (CPMI) at LUMS University. This increase in lack of an inclusive approach on Asian Studies whole province and Federally Administered China-related academic study and research Notes in Pakistan. Tribal Areas (FATA). Along with its biannual avenues aptly aligns with political needs 1 Islam, M. 2005. ‘Area Studies in Pakistan: research journal Central Asia, the Centre and the foreign policy trajectory of Pakistan. An Assessment’, in Inayatullah, R.S. & actively offers training in Chinese, Russian, Sino-Pak bilateral relations have always been Tahir, P. (eds) Social Sciences in Pakistan: Asian Studies Institutes in Pashto, and Uighur/Uzbek languages. strong as both countries have supported A Profile. Islamabad: Council of Social Moreover, the University of Peshawar started each other over the years; however, with Sciences Pakistan, pp.285-303 Pakistan (1973 – to date) the China Study Centre in 2016 after the CPEC, China has become the most important 2 The other three centres were: Area Study Centre for Europe (ASCE) University of When it comes to Asian Studies in Pakistan, launch of the China Pakistan Economic international actor for Pakistan. Hence, Karachi, Karachi; Area Study Centre for the who is at the forefront of the production of Corridor (CPEC). thoroughly understanding Chinese politics, Middle East and Arab Countries, University knowledge in Pakistan? Which universities In addition to the above mentioned centres, economy, culture, history and language, as of Balochistan, Quetta; Area Study Centre partake in this endeavour and what research there are some other academic institutes that well as developing collaborative research with for Africa, North and South America, capacities do they use to disseminate their provide Asian linguistic training, such as the China in various fields, is of vital significance Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad. knowledge on Asia? Area Study centres came National University of Modern Languages for Pakistan moving forward. 3 Ibid., note 1 The Newsletter No. 86 Summer 2020 19 The Review

Politics and identity in Chinese martial arts

Henning Wittwer

example, in 1959 and 1975 China’s By following the historical survey Reviewed title State Post Bureau issued stamps with Reviewed title it becomes obvious that martial Politics and Identity in martial sports motives (pp. 140 and A History of Chinese arts cannot be regarded as a mere 150). Similarly in 1964/65 stamps footnote in the history and cultural Chinese Martial Arts were issued depicting the martial Martial Arts history of China. In fact they played traditions of the Ryukyu Islands a central role from the beginning Lu Zhouxiang. 2018. which were under US administration Fuhua Huang and Fan Hong when weapons and their use were Abingdon and New York: Routledge at that time (http://baxleystamps. (trans and eds). 2018. not restricted to hunting and ISBN 9781138090804 com/rymartialarts.htm, accessed Abingdon and New York: Routledge fighting, but were present in ritual 10 March 2019). In both cases native ISBN 9781138645585 martial dances or early paintings, martial arts were officially legitimised too. This eye-opening relationship and upheld as cultural legacies by between martial arts and other, these stamps. more civil cultural pursuits is also ome readers may raise an eyebrow In two or three cases the reviewer feels that apparent in the chapters on later reading the term ‘Chinese martial arts’ a little more extended source criticism could n 1997 a long awaited in-depth historical periods. In modern China one aspect of Sas it is often entailing stereotypes of an have been fruitful. For example on pages 63 overview of martial arts in China was this liaison has been labelled ‘martial arts infantile hobby, screaming actors in kung and 64 Lu is presenting his rendering of a Ipublished with the support of the Ministry of diplomacy’, and it means that martial arts fu films or orientalist fantasies. However, for 17th century epitaph that was and is well Sport of China. Since it was written in Chinese performances, competitions or training centuries Chinese martial arts, in the broadest known among martial arts literati because the English speaking world had to wait for a camps are purposeful used for political goals sense of the word, were an important part of of its content. Therein a categorisation of scholarly chronical of Chinese martial arts (p.208). Other types of martial arts exchange the culture of China and played roles in its Chinese martial arts into the so-called ‘internal until 2012, when Peter Lorge published his between China and adjacent nations took politics and identity building. In spite of this family’ and ‘external family’ (Lu’s translation) book Chinese Martial Arts: From Antiquity place in the centuries before. For example, English language scholarly treatments of is proposed. A certain Zhang Sanfeng is to the Twenty-First Century (Cambridge when the so-called Japanese pirates (wokou) their historical, cultural or political dimensions named as the founder of the ‘internal family’ of University Press, 2012). Because of the later invaded China, their Japanese sabres are still rare, which underscores the high martial arts and said to have acquired his skills publication date and the importance of the became a threat so that Chinese martial relevance of any new publication in this while dreaming. Of course, the last statement 1997 work it is not surprising to find it in the artists seemed to be eager to learn Japanese particular field. Lu Zhouxiang’s mission in reveals a legendary character of this story. bibliography of Lorge’s work. Still, another sabre techniques and to acquire Japanese writing the book under review was to highlight Rightly, therefore, Lu points out the fact that six years had to pass until Fuhua Huang sabres (p.151). On the other hand, Chinese and to prove exactly these aspects. Using the Zhang Sanfeng legend was dismissed and Fan Hong finally present us their easy fighting techniques exerted some influence a historical approach, he starts the first half with scholarly criticism in the 1920s and 1930s to read English translation of A History of on the development of martial arts in the of his project with developments during the (p.115). According to Sinologist Stanley Henning Chinese Martial Arts. Both editors have to be Ryukyu Kingdom, the subsequent Japanese Shang dynasty in the Bronze Age and follows the epitaph in question appears to have been congratulated on their decision to translate Prefecture of Okinawa (p.152). In the latter the dynastic chronology until the Qing meant as a more or less camouflaged political such a work with its many technical terms, case the exact details given in the book are dynasty. Subsequently the second half of the statement. He argues that it contains several which require specialist knowledge as well as slightly outdated; however, the basic idea work covers the 20th Century until the most verbal attacks of a Ming loyalist against the patience. The list of contributors is impressive of a certain Chinese influence remains a fact. recent time. Lu’s enthusiasm for the subject then still young . The latter was and contains some well-known names in the So these examples demonstrate clearly that matter shines through his easy to read, established by ‘foreign’ Manchu invaders, field of Chinese martial arts history like Ma martial knowledge crossed borders of nations, thoroughly referenced text. Each chapter is symbolized as ‘external family’ in said source, Mingda (editorial committee), Kuang Wennan be it for reasons of survival or less cogent equipped with its own bibliography. A small while the ingenious Ming are disguised as (author) or Kang Gewu (author) to name motives. Therefore the subject of Chinese drawback is the lack of Chinese characters in ‘internal family’ (Stanley Henning, Chinese just a few. martial arts concerns not only China itself but many cases, which may render more difficult boxing: The internal versus external schools many other Asian countries, and nowadays the identification of some names and sources. in the light of history and theory, Journal of From the time of the Sinanthropus right it has become a rather international Asian Martial Arts 6(3), 1997: 10–19). For this into the 1990s the subject matter is presented phenomenon. Real fortes of Lu’s text are the numerous reason we may probably better read it as a chronological over 10 chapters. Different Worth mentioning is a discussion of quotations of various historical sources political declaration of a person who seeks authors are responsible for different chapters. early Chinese schools of thought and their like poems, songs, chronicles, etc. often identity in a bygone period. And because this While the chronological arrangement is association with martial arts (p.30). Among translated by the author himself. They make interpretation would perfectly be in line with similar – but not identical – to Lorge’s work, them the most obvious and convincing ones reading the anyway interesting monograph Lu’s overall discussion, the reviewer somehow Lorge is providing a discussion on defining are the teachings of Chinese military classics enjoyable and even more entertaining. sensed a missed opportunity. Lu does not refer the term ‘martial arts’ in his introduction like Sunzi. Insightful comments are given on Right from the beginning Lu manages to it. Yet, my sentiment with regard to this point (Chinese Martial Arts, p.3). This is certainly Confucianism, Mohism, and Taoism with successfully to demonstrate the importance is not meant as criticism, but it was merely a a good starting point for readers without any regard to possible influences on martial arts of martial arts as ritualistic and pragmatic brainwave that hit me while reading the book. idea of martial arts; yet, the lack of such an ideologies. Later in the book Kang Gewu in facets in the reality of life of China’s early Noteworthy – at least in my opinion – are extended definition in A History of Chinese his survey of martial arts in the Qing dynasty aristocratic respectively political circles. Lu’s conclusions regarding the possible future Martial Arts is not really a drawback. Because (1644–1911) underlines that it was in this period It becomes evident that the nobility’s of Chinese martial arts. In tandem with the by reading the book under review the term that literate martial artists tried to ‘enrich the circumstances of living and surviving “increasingly industrialised, urbanised, ‘martial art’ is filled with varied meanings content of their martial arts’ by integrating demanded the appreciation of martial and globalised world” China is facing, Lu so that a distinguished picture of ‘martial them into traditional Chinese culture (p.160). practises. Among other things they assisted proposes that its native martial arts probably arts’ in China is created. However, as this These considerations are definitely provoking in the “construction of the feudal pyramid should better follow a path of “reform and short comparison shows Lorge’s work may be further interest and research into the topic. of power” (p.7) or in diplomatic exchanges modernisation” in the direction of a unified regarded as complementary to A History of At the same time they demonstrate that (p.20). His investigation of the roles martial sportive tournament system (p.222). While Chinese Martial Arts. martial arts cannot be generally reduced to arts played in those social mechanisms this suggestion may be helpful in creating a A real forte of the work is the many facts only a brutal and mindless physical activity. evinces the importance of academic more global identity and stronger diplomatic which follow sometimes in furious succession, Two of the more recent developments engagement with Chinese martial arts. relations it appears to potentially wipe away among them biographical and hagiographical presented in the last chapter include a Folkloristic martial entertainment and all the cultural and technically diversity and entries from classic texts and archaeological centralisation of sportive martial arts in pragmatic combat skills intermingled and depth outlined meticulously in the same findings. Bibliographic references are given China and a large scale operation in order mutually influenced each other under certain work before. Therefore the main argument at the end of each chapter, so that further to classify martial arts legacies. This second circumstances at times. Hence, Lu’s well- that Chinese martial arts have “always been research is possible. I wish to highlight this campaign obviously resulted in a huge presented overviews of martial arts related evolving” (p.223) appears to me as a sweeping point because the history of martial arts amount of collected source materials, and novels and theatre shows through the history statement. His view is balanced by an earlier in China is intermingled with many legends. raises my hope that other publications on may be of special interest to readers with presentation of more critical voices of these The authors and editors approach many this worthwhile and captivating subject an interest in Chinese literature and drama. modernisation and sportification trends, and it of these legends, which muddle the more may follow in the future. Not only were they significant factors in is part of his discussion of these disapproving factual history, in a critical way. To give one In short A History of Chinese Martial Arts the creation of what Lu labels ‘martial arts statements. So in the end the reader is provided popular example, fabricated tales concerning is a most welcome and interesting book, culture’ (p.48), they were also used as means with reasonable material in order to draw his the Indian monk describe him providing the combined insights of several for identity building and political messages own conclusions regarding this problem and as the inventor of ‘Shaolin martial arts’. In his specialists. Students of Sinology as well as (p.119). When politics are involved, the further engagement with the topic is elicited. section on the ‘Origin of Shaolin martial arts’ practitioners, teachers or researchers of possibility of censorship has to be considered In short, Lu’s work offers a real contribution Kuang Wennan clearly refutes such accounts China’s martial arts will find it to be a helpful sometimes, which in turn leads to different to the understanding of Chinese traditional (p.75). Still, a few legends slip through the overview and may refer to it time and again. consequences for martial arts writings and culture in the form of martial arts, politics, and overall scholarly rigour of the text, like in Furthermore it will be insightful to students of their authors (p.152). identity. Sinologists and students of sinology the case of Chen Yuanyun. Said Chen is Asian Studies in general in order to understand For me one of the most impressive will find it useful in better comprehending treated as the legendary Chinese forefather the importance of martial arts as cultural information delineated by Lu is the great extent the diverse roles martial arts played in of Japanese judo (p. 151). More recent knowledge that flowed and flows back and of governmental support of and involvement Chinese culture. Students of Asian studies in research has shown that Chen was probably forth between China and its neighbours. into martial arts in the 20th century until general may be provided with insights and not involved in martial arts (Thomas A. Green today. Besides the obvious and not so obvious inspiration for future research. Furthermore, it and Joseph R. Svinth (eds), Martial Arts of effects for China itself, it raises questions about is worthwhile for teachers and practitioners of the World: An Encyclopedia of History and Both titles reviewed by the situations in China’s neighbouring nations Chinese martial arts who want to learn more Innovation, Santa Barbara: ABC-CLIO, Henning Wittwer, with their own martial traditions. To give one about the history and culture of their passion. 2010, 122). Independent scholar, Germany. 20 newbooks.asia Asian Studies. Newest Titles. The Review Latest Reviews.

on their behalf, or written about them. practice. The women of these works are This writing of course has North Korea’s good North Korean women as Rewriting revolution politics, and its social, cultural, and historical would understand what that means. messaging writ loudly and boldly through it. Rewriting Revolution thus encounters North Korea’s politics, its charismatic politics female partners living and struggling under Robert Winstanley-Chesters as Heonik Kwon and Byung-ho Chung have the political and cultural weight of North termed it, is inescapable within the country Korean expectation. Frustrated at their and is certainly seemingly omnipresent husbands’ dreams of research success and Immanuel Kim’s Rewriting in its cultural production. This has led to a other futures, yet constrained in potential Revolution: Women, Sexuality widely held opinion within academia that critiques by both their social role and the Reviewed title and Memory in North Korean this is so much the case that in fact there is political demands upon individuals to Rewriting Revolution: Fiction is nothing therefore no cultural production in North Korea, it is contribute to the greater socialist good. Like if not ambitious in its aims to only political production by other means. all regular North Korean’s they are expected Women, Sexuality offer something new on North Essentially there is no art or culture in North to give up things, to subjugate desires for the and Memory in North Korea, and specifically on the Korea, only politics. Scholarly work that has collective and for the wider success of the place of women in that nation’s focused on North such as nation, yet Kim’s analysis of their narratives, Korean Fiction revolution. Of course just as the feisty B. R. Myers’s writing on Han Sorya demonstrates the cognitive dissonance, North Koreans in North Korea, suggests that unlike other dictatorships psychological dislocations, and emotional Immanuel Kim. 2018. even at the historical moment of and autarkies like the Soviet Union under trouble experienced by the nation’s women. Honolulu: Hawaii University Press 2018, are difficult to access, so Stalin, North Korea has not even been able It is not easy being a woman of North Korean ISBN 9780824872632 Rewriting Revolution encounters to produce a recognisable or authentic literature, and it is acceptable to Pyongyang’s the nation’s women in a context socialist or autocratic realism in its cultural authorities and the wider framework of the in which they have become easier products. In a nation where the only reality is nation’s politics, that that dis-ease is at least to connect to and encounter, politics, how can there even be the reflection visible or knowable to the careful reader. 018 saw the world turn what appeared its literary products. Kim’s work essentially necessary to create a cultural product, A careful reader of Rewriting Revolution to be a new page on interactions and explores the place of women in North Korean at least for one that is removed from that might also note the unease within the book 2relations with North Korea. There were revolutionary society and politics through political reality. itself, perhaps the unease of the author. moments of inter-Korean interaction that elements of the nation’s cultural production. In Rewriting Revolution, Immanuel Kim Given its well organised and well edited might never have been imagined. Rituals It must be said at the outset that the book suggests that not only are authentic cultural structure and form, Kim’s work on occasion, and practices of friendship, connection primarily does so through literature produced products possible in North Korea, but in its seems to encounter its own struggle with and relationship grown through centuries in North Korea during the 1980s, though it literature, what externally we term ‘subaltern’ politics, strain to break its own tight reins. of shared cultural development and growth. does look backwards to work from earlier experiences, opinions and possibilities can In particular Chapter Five of Rewriting Some exchanges seemed almost parodically decades. So readers looking for a particularly be found. These experiences and possibilities Revolution includes some of the most erudite Korean, tangibly of the peninsula in a way current review of North Korean literature which can even run counter or be disruptive to the and considered writing on the industries which was difficult to quite fathom. At the reflects or mirrors the era of the post-Arduous needs, ambitions and directions of North of North Korean defector narratives and Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, North Korea’s March, byungjin (‘parallel development’), Korea’s politics. A very careful parsing of publishing, this reviewer has yet read, and extraordinary cultural gift of 250 colourful donju (‘masters of money’), and Kim Jong Un works such as Paek Nam-nyong’s Friend, which emerges in the middle of a chapter cheerleaders confounded the world’s media might be disappointed. Aside from the recent Kim Kyo-sŏp’s Heights of Life, Ch’oe focused on redefinitions of motherhood and attention. 250 energetic, brightly publication of Immanuel Kim’s own translation Sang-sun’s Morning Star and Ri Hui-nam’s in the North Korean context. There is a work, coloured, snappily dressed North Korean of Friend, a novel by the North Korean author Eight Hours, Rewriting Revolution, is replete influenced by the great Norman Finkelstein females moving with a synchronicity that Paek Nam-nyong, and the academic work of with gaps, fissures, and potential ‘lines of in these ideas, but perhaps just as the seemed both impressive and anachronistically Sonja Ryang, Suzy Kim, Ruth Barraclough, flight’ (as Deleuze would understand them) North Korean women of the literature Kim is confusing at the same time. Surely the only Hyaeweol Choi, and Sandra Fahy, few authors for women and female experience in North primarily tasked to write about, the politics 250 North Korean women together in one have really sought to unpick or uncover the Korea. The reader must bear in mind that and cultural expectations of audience, place that many people watching would lives and experiences of women in North Korea since this is North Korean literature we are commissioner, and other authorities demand have ever seen, they were both present and and the activist and paramilitary communities talking about, passed by its authorities that it is restricted and difficult to write unreachable at the same time. This is of before it, which are claimed to have birthed its and institutions of control and censorship about. These strains are held in common course one of the truisms of any moment politics. Kim’s Rewriting Revolution therefore generally these experiences cannot be as with the characters and stories Kim uncovers about North Korea, just as it might seem to is surely one of the first works which seeks explicit as South Korean writing such as in Rewriting Revolution, a careful work of become accessible and knowable, its people to consider, at least even in passing, female Han Kang’s The Vegetarian. If the reader uncovering and encountering in North Korean and politics confound the outside world. sexuality, women’s role in marriage and family is looking for an exploration of the outer cultural production, a welcome contribution Writing on North Korea is much the same, and divorce in North Korea. reaches of female sexuality in North Korea, to a growing body of writing which really so much at the present that is of the past, so For most readers North Korean writing and or earthy experiences of female donju, they seeks to know the nation, and not just by much grasping at straws, even with the great literature is primarily the work of Kim Il Sung, will be disappointed. It is worth saying that its fissures, ruptures, and collapses. opportunity available, so little creativity. How Kim Jong Il and Kim Jong Un, or is about them. for the most part Kim’s focus is on female roles much readers and thinkers would welcome its There is a voluminous body of material claiming which are deeply embedded in conventional Robert Winstanley-Chesters, rewriting anew for any changing situation. to be written by North Korea’s leaders, written North Korean political, social, and cultural University of Leeds, United Kingdom

The book puts forth three factors in explaining why the official ulama in Malaysia Capture or co-optation? have been more successful in capturing the state than their counterparts in Indonesia: Making sense of official ulama’s authority a clear institutional role, coherent ideology, and organizational unity (p. 41). Firstly, the in Malaysia and Indonesia official ulama in Malaysia have been deployed by the state as agents of Islamization since Reviewed title the onset of the Islamic resurgence in the late Azmil Tayeb The State, Ulama and Islam 1970s, which gives them a clear institutional role, namely to defuse the political threat in Malaysia and Indonesia posed by the Islamic opposition such as the hroughout the Islamic history, ummah Pan-Malaysia Islamic Party (Parti Islam Se- (the Muslim community) in general Norshahril Saat. 2018. Malaysia). The Ulama Council of Indonesia does Tperceives the authority of ulama Amsterdam: Amsterdam University Press not enjoy similar core clarity in institutional (religious scholars) in the context of the ISBN 9789462982932 role since the threat of political Islam to the ulama’s distance from the seat of power. In state legitimacy in Indonesia is not as dire as other words, an ulama’s authority is highly it is in Malaysia. Secondly, official ulama in regarded if the ummah deems him capable Malaysia are institutionally stronger due to of exercising independent judgment free that the power relations between official ulama In this book, official ulama in Malaysia their ability to rally around a coherent ideology from the self-serving sway of the rulers. and their state patrons is not as clear-cut and are represented by the National Fatwa that propagates the interests of the regime Nevertheless, starting in the late-1800s, the lopsided as it is conventionally believed. The Committee [of the National Council for Islamic and the sultanates, particularly the five tenets expansion of modern bureaucracy provided book argues through the theoretical lens of Joel Religious Affairs Malaysia] (Jawatankuasa of the state philosophy Rukunegara and the the ulama with a new coercive and deep- Migdal’s ‘state-in-society’ that official ulama in Fatwa Majlis Kebangsaan Bagi Hal Ugama belief in Ketuanan Melayu (literally Malay reaching tool to exert their authority over Malaysia, despite the initial co-optation, have Islam Malaysia), the Department of Islamic supremacy). In comparison, the religiously the ummah, in return for bestowing religious managed to assert their independence and Development Malaysia (Jabatan Kemajuan neutral Indonesian state philosophy Pancasila imprimatur on the policies of the ruling agency, to an extent that they have successfully Islam Malaysia), and the Malaysian Institute severely circumscribes the ability of official regime. Official ulama, as these religious captured some parts of the state. This stands in for Islamic Understanding (Institut Kefahaman ulama in Indonesia to advance their religious functionaries are known as, are conventionally contrast to the official ulama in Indonesia, who Islam Malaysia). Meanwhile, in Indonesia, the agenda, and thus depriving them of a powerful seen as ‘rubber stamps’ and ‘lackeys’ of the have been less successful than their Malaysian Ulama Council of Indonesia (Majelis Ulama ideology with which they can instrumentalize. ruling elites, who surrender their theological counterparts in doing so. Simply put, official Indonesia) forms the collective authority of Finally, by being organizationally cohesive the independent judgment in exchange for ulama are not as toothless and less influential official ulama in the country. Even though the official ulama in Malaysia are able to confront material rewards and status (p. 24). as they are made out to be since they are able aforementioned institutions can be considered threats to its interests and authority in a more to employ the legitimized powers of the state as official ulama in their respective countries, effective and forceful manner, in comparison to However, Norshahril Saat’s empirically rich to extract compliance and respect for their their official roles and status vary, which the Ulama Council of Indonesia, which is riven and theoretically informed study of official authority from the Muslim populace, albeit to explain the differences in their capacities to with ideological divisions and internal rivalries ulama in Malaysia and Indonesia illustrates varying degrees of success. capture the state. that, in turn, weaken its authority. The Newsletter No. 86 Summer 2020 21 The Review

especially those of the Jesuits, literally, for as levels of understanding indicating a high she argues, examples cited are often tropes level of intellectual engagement for patron Mughal occidentalism for conversion found in Jesuit texts from China and painter alike. to Latin America. Part of the issue is what the Landscape as Mughal allegory for the Jesuits wanted to believe; another part was virtuous city and ideal Mughal governance Catherine B. Asher their incomprehension of Mughal tradition. is another focus. Natif argues that around The Jesuits, as is well-known, brought the 1580s, concurrent with the adaptation of gifts to win favor with the Mughal emperors. sulh-i kull, receding distance landscapes, akin Among those most cited by scholars is the to those found in northern European painting, multi-volume Polyglot Bible whose illustrations begin to be incorporated into paintings of have been seen as the source of much a non-historical nature. These landscapes Mughal Occidental visual content. However, are not found in pages of the Akbarnama or Natif argues that we do not know how long other histories relating to the Mughal house, this Bible stayed in the Mughal court for it but in manuscripts such as the Kulliyat of may have been returned to the Jesuits. Even Sa’adi or the Khamsa of Nizami. Not only if it had remained she questions whether does the appearance of these landscapes a single source can be linked to Mughal parallel the rise of sulh-i kull they also are Occidentalism, arguing for a more nuanced executed during a time when ’s Akhlaqi understanding of links between European Nasiri (Ethics of Nasiri) was extremely popular. Reviewed title sources and Mughal output. Nasiri promoted the concept of the Virtuous Mughal Occidentalism: Artistic Natif also discussed depictions of Mary City akin to the ideal world seen in these and Jesus once seen on palace walls and landscapes. European landscape is adapted Encounters Between Europe and Asia today in paintings in museum collections. as were objects and images of Jesus and at the Court of India, 1580-1630 Her conclusion that such imagery is dynastic Mary for specific Mughal ideological ends. in meaning is not new, but she argues her Diverse types of Mughal portraiture that case well. Following this is a discussion Mika Natif. 2018. developed during the late-16th century. of transmission and copying in the royal Portraiture in Mughal India had multiple Leiden and Boston: Brill workshop. Here Natif considers three Mughal purposes. It ranged from the practical to the ISBN 9779004371095 paintings which clearly are modeled on spiritual; some were made as diplomatic gifts well-known Europeans masterpieces. She and others were worn by the elite to signify posits that the artists of these works, two their devotion to the ruler. Natif suggests females and one male, were not copying at that the goal of the portraitist was to reveal his book concerns the encounter between many books on Mughal painting that have all but recoding the style, identity, technique, a man’s outer appearance and inner soul. western mode of image making and the appeared in recent years. Here we see a more and subject matter (p.84). Natif’s analysis Artists focused attention on detail and used Tartistic output by artists of the Mughal clearly defined link between Akbar’s policy of for these illustrations is brilliant, removing all European techniques of light, shade, depth court between the 1580 and 1630. Mika Natif’s toleration and European elements in paintings the original Christian context and meaning, and profile-views to indicate the prowess and goal is to reconsider this complex issue which than has been suggested in previous works. replacing it with meaning that is specific nobility of the Mughal subject. The Mughals, has long fascinated scholars. Rather than see to the Persianate world and relates to each like other cultures, used portraiture to indicate Mughal painting as a simple result of courtly This volume opens with a detailed study of work’s inscriptional content. It would be their superiority over lesser dynasties and interest in western modes of artistic depiction, Akbar’s policy of sulh-i kull (peace with all) and instructive to see her observations extended enemies of the state. Natif does not address she argues that Mughal contact with the west its adoption by Akbar’s successor, Jahangir. to other Mughal paintings often assumed to this commonality in the practice of portraiture occurred on multiple levels. Her text probes This policy of tolerance is the key, Natif argues, be poor or inaccurate copies of western art. across cultures and it would be interesting these contacts giving Indian artists more to the Mughals’ acceptance of European and Can her conclusions apply to all paintings to hear her views on this. agency than done in previous scholarship. particularly Jesuit presence at court. She in which elements of Mughal Occidentalism This volume is beautifully illustrated with Her goal is to the present a balance between suggests that Europeans, rather than seen as occur or are these examples limited? over 100 color plates. Natif shows her erudition the role of the patron and the insight of a wildly foreign element, were considered as Renaissance prints were adapted in two in her extensive citations revealing a profound artists. Before defining her own choice of part of the varied multi-cultural multi-ethic different manners. One is the cutting of knowledge of both Mughal and Islamic the title and term Mughal Occidentalism landscape of South Asia. She also suggests, as parts of a European print and incorporating painting in general. This book is a must read she details how previous scholars have used have others, that Akbar and Jahangir may well them into a Mughal album page. The other is for anyone interested in Mughal art, kingship the term occidentalism. She also provides have been aware of differences between the including articles found in European art work and concepts of state. Perhaps not everyone examples of how western art and its motifs subcontinent and Europe through the material and including them into a Mughal painting. will agree with all of Natif’s arguments but have been employed throughout Islamic culture they acquired as gifts as well as Here Natif focuses on two particular articles: certainly, she has given us new and exciting artistic production prior to the Mughal political and economic reports through envoys. globes and organs. She argues effectively that ways to think about Renaissance art in the period. She sees in the Mughal case that This concern with sulh-i kull and encounters both these modes change the article’s original Mughal milieu. the use of occidentalism is not pure copying with Europeans shifts to a consideration of meaning – Christian most of the time – into but that these are cases of cross-cultural primary sources. Here Natif rightly warns an image associated with reason and just Catherine B. Asher, University of use. This book is a welcome addition to the the reader to not take European accounts, rule. Often her explanations involve complex Minnesota, United States

socio-economic factors: the sizeable group the religious sensitivities of Barisan Nasional’s of middle-class Muslims and the neo-liberal Borneo component parties, lest it would economic policies. The white-hot economic squander the electoral vote bank it had long growth rate especially in the decades leading up depended on to remain in power. The haphazard to the 1997 Asian financial crisis has produced way the former Barisan Nasional government a significant population of largely conservative dealt with the Malay bible hullabaloo and its middle-class Muslims, who require the culture obvious foot-dragging when it came to passing of modern consumption to accommodate the RU355 (the so-called hudud law) proved their strict religious way of life. The demand, this point. In Indonesia, while the author does in turn, creates a niche in the economy for discuss the tussle between the Ulama Council of syariah-compliant consumer activities to Indonesia and the Ministry of Religious Affairs on thrive, in particular the halal-certification of the issue of halal certification, the discussion on food and beverages and Islamic banking and institutional tensions can be made more salient finance. The new market niche provides lucrative by adding the fact that the two institutions opportunity for the official ulama to become also diverge widely in ideological orientation, actors in the capitalist economy, chiefly to with the Ulama Council of Indonesia being exploit the insecurities of conservative middle- more religiously conservative and dogmatic class Muslims who are looking for the official than the Ministry of Religious Affairs. Apropos Mosque in Indonesia. Image reproduced under a creative commons license, courtesy of M. Timur on Flickr. certainty that their material consumption does to the author’s argument, the institutional not run afoul of their religious beliefs. It is within fragmentation divided along ideological fault Two pivotal events led to the increased state-endowed coercive powers as a way to this socio-economic context that the authority line can help to explain the weakness of the role of official ulama in the governing affairs consolidate their authority, sometimes to of official ulama in Malaysia and Indonesia Ulama Council of Indonesia’s authority vis-à-vis of Indonesia and Malaysia: the wave of the point of defying the wish of the regime. resonates the strongest. other agencies of the state. Islamic resurgence in the late 1970s and Official ulama in Indonesia, by contrast, While the book is meticulous and systematic In all, this book is a welcome addition to the Asian financial crisis in 1997. These find themselves in a tenuous position to seek in structuring its argument, enriched by a host of the comparative study of political Islam in critical junctures opened the door to a recognition for their authority in the post- elite interviews, it under-discusses some aspects two Muslim-majority countries in Southeast more competitive political environment, authoritarian era, namely to break away from of political Islam in Malaysia and Indonesia that Asia. Not many books have been written that which ramped up participation of various their ‘rubberstamp’ (stempel pemerintah) the reviewer believes warrant more emphasis compare these two countries in an equal, civil society actors, including ulama and label and compete with other Islamic mass in order to provide a holistic narrative of ulama empathetic, and substantive manner, and Saat’s Islamic political activists, many of whom organizations such as Nahdlatul Ulama and authority in these two countries. In Malaysia, book is one of the very few that strive to fill this penetrated into the inner sanctum of the Muhammadiyah. In short, the empowerment electoral calculation played a crucial role in knowledge lacuna. In this regard the author has state in order to effect changes from within. of official ulama in Malaysia allows them to moderating the Islamic views of the former done splendidly in explicating the differences Despite the empowerment of official ulama establish their own power base that is immune Barisan Nasional-led federal government, between the two countries despite their many in both countries, especially after 1997, their to influences from the society, which is not the which then constrains the authority of the shared characteristics. objectives in exploiting the state apparatuses case for their counterparts in Indonesia. official ulama. The United Malay National as a means to express their authority differ The rise of official ulama in Indonesia and Organisation, the political patron of official Azmil Tayeb, Universiti Sains Malaysia, starkly. Official ulama in Malaysia use their Malaysia also coincides with two interrelated ulama in Malaysia, had to take into account Malaysia 22 newbooks.asia Asian Studies. Newest Titles. The Review Latest Reviews.

of the two merchants (who in earlier legends were Indian) and connects them to Burma. Many of the Thai (or Tai) manuscripts deal with the legend of Phra Malai, a monk illuminated endowed with immense merit who travels to the Buddhist heavens and hells in a manner broadly similar to Dante’s Divine Comedy, Donald M. Seekins Reviewed title learning of the future decline of Buddhism Buddhism Illuminated: as well as its revival by the Metteyya or Future Buddha. Manuscript Art from In the Introduction, the physical Southeast Asia characteristics of the manuscripts and their bindings are described in great detail: ike the Abrahamic religions of the West San San May and Jana Igunma. 2018. one type, known as parabaik in Burmese, (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam), were painted on strips of paper which were LBuddhism has employed art in many London: The British Library folded tightly together, bound with cords forms to convey its message to people. In the ISBN 9780712352062 and protected with often intricately Buddhist countries of mainland decorated wooden covers or binding-boards. Southeast Asia (Burma/Myanmar, Thailand, Other manuscripts were inscribed on palm- Cambodia, and Laos), the most well-known leaves, usually lacquered or gilded around and visually arresting expressions of Buddhist the edges, which were also stacked together teachings have been monumental or finely- to make separate volumes. Usually, the crafted structures (e.g. , temples, Although such large and splendid Buddhist a major development in the study of Buddhist parabaik volumes were comprised of and ) that have over the centuries structures and imagery are difficult for the illuminated manuscripts not only because it mulberry paper, which is still used today in functioned as places of study, meditation visitor to miss, the Theravada countries of includes a much larger selection of this genre, Burmese crafts. The Tipitaka, the Buddhist and pilgrimage for devotees. These include Southeast Asia also possess a much less known but also since it includes works from central scriptures, were inscribed on palm leaves, the Shwedagon in Rangoon/Yangon, art form that is very similar to the illuminated and northern Thailand and the Tai-speaking often using a special script of Burmese Burma, the temples and pagodas of Pagan/ manuscripts of medieval Europe. Like their Shan States as well as central Burma. Its letters known as tamarind seed (or ‘square’) Bagan in central Burma, the Phra Pathom western counterparts, they present intimate great merit lies in the fact that the editors script, because of their special shape. Given Chedi (pagoda) outside of Bangkok, Thailand, and condensed visual religious ‘lessons’ in have not only created a beautifully illustrated the heat and humidity of mainland Southeast Doi Suthep on a mountain outside of bright and appealing colors, highly stylized volume in the coffee table book mode (given Asia, the manuscripts were traditionally Chiang Mai, Thailand, and the Phra That (there is little room for innovation) and directed its size and heaviness, this is hardly the book wrapped in silk, tied up with special and Luang Chedi in Vientiane, Laos. Also playing a toward helping the viewer to make his or her one would choose as travel reading), but often beautifully decorated ribbon-bindings role in the propagation of Buddhist teachings own progress on the road to nibbana (). also have presented it in a form in which and stored in wooden chests – usually have been famed Buddha images such as the Usually combining miniature pictures with the illuminations are grouped together to made of teak – which themselves were Maha Myat Muni image in Mandalay, Burma, sacred text or at least an explanation, they depict and explain (Theravada) Buddhism’s often attractively decorated. These chests and the Emerald Buddha located in the royal encompass depictions of the Cosmos in Hindu- basic doctrines: lavishly illustrated chapters had to be made capable of tight closing, temple-palace complex in Bangkok, as well Buddhist terms, the Birth Tales, the lives of are devoted to the Buddha, his teachings lest rats or insects enter and devour the as colossal reclining Buddha figures of which Gotama Buddha and his disciples and scenes (Dhamma), the Buddhist monkhood (the manuscripts. the most famous are found in Pegu (Bago), of Buddhist festivals and ceremonies, especially ), cause and effect (kamma, more Buddhism Illuminated is comprised of Burma, and the palace in Bangkok. Many of those sponsored by the royal family. As in the widely known as karma), and the supremely over 100 illuminations in the British Library’s these sacred places have been elaborately European illuminated manuscripts, rarely, if important work of making merit in daily life collection, most of whom originated in decorated with frescoes and paintings ever, is effort made to place these scenes in through donations to Buddhist monks and Burma or Thailand. The authors comment illustrating the life of Gotama Buddha or the their original (Indian) context; instead, episodes holy places and the performance of good that a large number of Burmese manuscripts Jataka Tales, which tell of his previous lives of sacred history, including their human deeds (punna). For western readers interested were ‘acquired’ from a royal collection in before becoming the Enlightened One, as participants and physical surroundings, are in Buddhism, Buddhism Illuminated provides Mandalay, the old royal capital, after the well as representations of elephants, nagas placed in Burmese or Thai settings and often a compelling combination of pleasing-to-view Third Anglo–Burmese War of 1885 (p.9). (dragons/snakes), demons, and other real or give us a vivid picture of what life was like – pictures and clearly-written text that that is A more accurate term might be ‘stolen’ since fantastic creatures from Hindu and Buddhist at least on elite levels – in pre-colonial mainland necessarily missing from prose-only books the Mandalay Palace was thoroughly looted mythology. Southeast Asia. – with perhaps only a few illustrations of after the British victory by locals as well Relatively little attention has been paid to pagodas or Buddha images – that attempt as British soldiers. But perhaps this is not In 21st century Burma, where Buddhist these illuminated manuscripts in the West. to explain the religion in abstract terms. the place to accuse the British Library of values remain exceptionally strong, the In her Arts of Southeast Asia, Fiona Kerlogue For example, on page 11, the authors being a treasure house of looted artifacts, prominence of is one of the makes brief mention of Burmese illuminated provide a 19th century Burmese illumination though is doubtful that the Burmese items things that impresses the visitor the most, as manuscripts (London: Thames & Hudson, 2004, of the legend of Taphussa and Bhallika, two – most of which date from the 19th century military governments in recent years have 124-125). In 1992, A specialist at the British Mon merchants who meet the Buddha just – were obtained fairly or peaceably. striven to add to the country’s inventory Library, Patricia Herbert, published a volume, after his Enlightenment, giving him offerings The splendor of this volume does lead of Buddhist sites (for example, the White The Life of the Buddha (London: the British and hearing his first sermon. Gotama Buddha the reader to wonder whether treasures Stone Buddha image in Rangoon and the Library: Pomegranate Artbooks, 1993), using two bestows on them eight hairs from the top such as these, spirited off to the colonial Uppatasanti Pagoda in Naypyidaw, Burma’s Burmese manuscripts in the library’s collection of his head, which after many adventures Metropole during centuries of European new capital). The goal of the country’s military and contributed a chapter on this genre to they take back to their native country in expansion into Asia and Africa, shouldn’t rulers has been not only to earn Buddhist Alexandra Green and Richard Blurton’s Burma: Lower (southern) Burma and enshrine in the someday be returned to their countries merit for themselves (Burmese: kutho) as Art and Archeology (Burmese cosmological Shwedagon Pagoda, recognized by Burmese of origin – at least when suitable facilities pagoda-builders or restorers, but to assert manuscripts, in Alexandra Green and T. Richard Buddhists as the single most important sacred for housing them can be built so that local their political legitimacy in Buddhist terms. Blurton (eds) Burma: Art and Archeology, place in their country. This illumination people can enjoy access to the glories The old saying, ‘to be Burmese is to be London: British Museum Press, 2002, 77-98). is far more arresting visually than the of their past. Buddhist,’ is still valid for 90 per cent of the The work under review here, San San May 15th century stone inscriptions donated by country’s population who identify as followers and Jana Igunma’s Buddhism Illuminated: King Dhammazedi to the platform of the Donald M. Seekins, of Buddha’s teachings. Manuscript Art from Southeast Asia, represents Shwedagon which first relates the legend Meio University, Japan

hen the 19th century Mongolian Vajrayāna practise of Himalayan Buddhism, monk-poet Danzanravjaa named a the world and the mind are reflections of one Creating the universe Wsmall rectangular area of the Gobi another, and in the recognition of the cosmos Desert close to his at Hamarin Hiid as inherently enlightened, the practitioner ‘Shambhala’, he was showing his students how likewise recognizes the inherent enlightened Simon Wickhamsmith Indo-Tibetan could be state of mind. translated into their own lived experience of the The book’s four chapters explore this teaching in . Right before them the cosmological process of realization through Gobi was transformed into a Pure Land, and four key ideas. The first offers an examination their world was forever changed at the point of the creation of the cosmos through text, one of the intersection of the guru’s teaching with which reminds us, scholars and practitioners their practitioners’ minds. Today, Shambhala alike, that such a description (as with any remains a place of pilgrimage for Mongolians text) is merely an approximation, bound in and foreigners alike, its reputation in spiritual time and space, of the spiritual experience Reviewed title power growing even as its appearance remains of an individual author, or set of authors. As Creating the Universe: essentially the same. Huntington says of Vasubbhandhu’s Treasury of (Abhidharmakośakārikā), Depictions of the Eric Huntington’s lucid and beautifully- compiled in the 4th or 5th century, Cosmos in Himalayan illustrated book deals with how, through “Vasubhandhu’s descriptions emphasize image and through contemplative practice, the features that fit his agenda, while his Buddhism the mundane world – such as the otherwise omissions make the unmediated use of his unremarkable part of the Gobi Desert texts in other contexts problematic” (p.30). Eric Huntington. 2019. that is Shambhala – is realized as a potent This acknowledgement of the slippery quality Seattle: University of Washington Press and transcendent space of spiritual of spiritual texts is nothing new in scholarship, ISBN 9780295744063 transformation. The understanding of the but for this book it bears repeating insofar as cosmos as a dynamic aspect of the process texts such as Vasubhandhu’s are believed by of enlightenment reminds us that, in the practitioners, who rely upon such descriptions The Newsletter No. 86 Summer 2020 23 The Review

(1127-1276) to demonstrate how intellectual cultural exchanges, of which extant textual values and market forces combined shaped the sources are limited whereas visual materials viewing process. Hui-Wen Lu begins with a study are relatively abundant. of a brick epitaph that was attributed to the More importantly, this volume represents Visual and material 4th-century eminent calligrapher Wang Xianzhi a rapidly advancing trend of the field to go (344-86) to analyze the fierce debate upon its beyond conventional dynastic periodization authenticity in the early 13th century. Relating of Chinese history. As the title of the volume cultures in middle the brick to Wang Xizhi’s (303-61) Orchid suggests, the essays are devoted to the ‘Middle Pavilion Preface (蘭亭序), Lu forcefully argues Period’ instead of the Eurocentric designations that although it was a fabricated work, the such as ‘medieval’ or ‘Middle Age.’ Covering period China circulation of its rubbings and imitations approximately six centuries from the second half reflected Song literati’s enthusiastic endorse- of the Tang to the early Ming, ‘Middle Period’ ment of calligraphy and connoisseurship, is far broader than a dynasty or a century, Hang Lin Reviewed title displaying the creation story of the tradition thus enabling a better understanding of the Visual and Material Cultures that elevated the Wangs to the position of linear narratives of Chinese history. In doing gods of calligraphy. Patricia Buckley Ebrey so, the contributors collectively remind the in Middle Period China focuses on some 200-odd colophons written by readers to shift away from periodizing visual Zhu Xi (1130-1200) to show the Southern Song and material cultures on the basis of dynastic Patricia Buckley Ebrey and literati’s interest in antiquities and collecting of changes but to pay more attention to this Shih-shan Susan Huang (eds). 2017. art and books. From these colophons, modern “grey zone in transformation, where old and Leiden: Brill readers are able to grasp the “social world new ideas overlapped and converged” (p.1). ISBN 9789004348981 in which educated men found meaning and For someone whose interest rests more on the pleasure in showing others pieces of writing non-Han peoples of this period, I am pleased to that they carefully preserved” (p.250). Thanks see that two essays (Deng’s and Zhang’s) touch to the development of woodblock printing upon the question of non-Han ruling houses, and neo-Confucian academies, this world including the Khitan, Jurchen, and Mongol. Yet n the dynastic history of China, the further expanded the audience for handwritten in both cases we can detect only little impact period from 800 to 1400 is conventionally documents and facsimiles of them. in the change in the ethnicity of the ruling Iremembered as a discreditable age of The two essays in the last section turn to house on tomb design and decoration. In many political disunity and intricate interstate the aspects of cultural contact and material respects, this resonates with Li Qingquan’s relations, bracketed by the mighty Tang exchange of the period. Inspired by the motif of insightful study of the Liao dynasty (907-1125) (618-907) and Ming (1368-1644) dynasties. ‘bird and basin’ in two late Tang tomb murals, tombs at Xuanhua, as locality comes through It was also a time when ‘barbarian’ incursions Liu Jie links them to the Tang practice of setting as more important than political legitimacy to from the north intensified again as the Khitan, on three late 12th-century paintings depicting small pools in gardens, which she traces to the the development of visual and material cultures.1 Jurchen, Tangut, and Mongol successively the Buddhist saints of , Phillip Bloom influences of Persian products. Although being However, if our focus of our observation is established their regimes and conquered interrogates the specific approaches adopted a quite popular theme in the Tang, in later times shifted further north, we may acquire a more parts or all of China. On the other hand, this by the painters to show the mediation between it gradually became rare due to “the fading lively picture of the visual and material cultures period has witnessed a dramatic upsurge of the mundane and supramundane. In particular, of interest in foreign gold and silver objects” marked by indigenous traditions of non-Han visual and material sources that significantly these paintings render that otherwise hidden (p.280). In contrast to these Chinese paintings peoples and trans-regional interactions.2 deepen our understanding of the vitality aspects of internal ritual visible, thus mediating appropriated Persian artistic traditions, Li Yiwen This minor caveat aside, this volume is and prosperity of the time, as well as the and enacting Buddhist belief. shows in her chapter how Japanese users added a timely addition to the existing scholarship specific multi-state and multicultural contexts. Fan Jeremy Zhang sets out to examine the inscribed Buddha images to Chinese bronze jars about visual and material cultures of China Consisting of in-depth case studies of various popular culture of the 13th century by linking and mirrors and made them serve new ritual from 800 to 1400, extending our understanding forms of sources, this volume, which originates paintings, bronze mirrors, ceramic pillows, purposes. While these Chinese objects landed of the cultural and economic dynamism during from the grand Conference on Middle Period printed illustrations, and poems and plays at Japanese ports, their social and cultural the period. Full with intriguing observations China held at Harvard in 2014, represents a of the period. By scrutinizing the complex contexts changed accordingly so that their and thought-provoking syntheses, it is bound collective effort of scholars at the forefront of interconnections between the performing arts perception was mixed with both the Chinese to an indispensable book which will definitely Chinese art history, archaeology, and history and visual arts, as Zhang cogently argues, makers’ craftsmanship and the Japanese inspire future researchers on the perennial to illuminate this pivotal age in Chinese secular theater exerted different influences users’ imagination of China, thus revealing topic in Chinese and Asian history. history. Through examinations of a multiplicity on viewers of different walks of life and it “the unwritten interactions and exchanges of visual and material cultures, it aims to also provided venues for the spread of the among different groups of people from Hang Lin, Normal show the numerous connections between Quanzhen Daoism, thus “constitut[ing] a crucial different regions” (p.313). University, China these visual cultures and politics, literature, development of Jin and Yuan visual culture Visual and material sources have been trade, religion, class, and region (p.12). [and] heralding the full blossom of theatrical traditionally extensively utilized by art historians Notes imaginary in the subsequent Ming dynasty” and they together depict a vibrant artistic world The eight essays contained in the volume (p.147). Drawing on poems, maps, and paintings of China between 800 and 1400. The essays 1 Li Qingquan 李清泉, 宣化辽墓: 墓葬艺 are divided into four pairs – ‘Making Art in about the Ten Views of West Lake, Duan Xiaolin in this volume show, however, that visual and 术与辽代社会, (Liao Tombs at Xuanhua: Funeral and Ritual Contexts’, ‘Setting a Scene’, investigates the interplay and tension between material cultures are being more widely studied Burial Art and Society of the Liao), ‘Appreciating the Written Word’, and ‘Cross- text and image and their influences on the by scholars across the disciplines, because Beijing: Wenwu chubanshe, 2008. Cultural Transfers’. Relying on a meticulous viewers “to capture ephemeral moments and they “reflected, adapted to, and reproduced 1 See, among others, Nancy Shatzman study of 12th-century decorated tombs in to associate them indelibly with this cultural the culture and society around them” (p.18). Steinhardt, Liao Architecture, Honolulu: and , Deng Fei tackles “who landmark” (p.183). Rather than solely illustrating Through analysis of paintings, ceramics, tomb University of Hawai’i Press, 1997; Dieter made these […] tombs” and “how were they the scenes, that paintings provide a particular bricks, and bronze mirrors, many previously Kuhn, How the Qidan Reshaped the Tradition of the Chinese Dome-Shaped built and decorated” (p.42). By taking a look way of describing and representing the obscured aspects of the cultures and societies Tomb, Heidelberg: Edition Forum, 1998; at the brick makers, clay carvers, and painters, landscape and function as an effective medium became more visible and accessible. Thanks to Wu Hung (ed.), Tenth-Century China Deng labels these decorated tombs as ‘modular to enhance people’s attachment to certain the visual and material cultures, we are now able and Beyond: Art and Visual Culture in a construction’ that testify the emergence of locations around the lake with the lake. to have a stronger appreciation of the richness Multi-centered Age, Chicago: The Center ‘moderately wealthy families’ that did not follow The third pair of essays center around the of the period, ranging from theater, travel, trade, for the Art of East Asia/University of the cultural lead of the literati (p.75). Focusing educated literati during the Southern Song ritual practices, to life of commoners and cross- Chicago, 2013.

as they embark upon their practise, until such By extension, the offering of the spoken prayers of offering, the practitioner is made explicit in the buildings in which, a time as they perceive the cosmological form man.d. ala is one of the four foundational conjoins the body–speech–mind triad in an and through whose construction, it is through their own understanding. practises (ngon ‘gro) in Vajrayāna Buddhism, act of cosmic realization. approached, and this is greatly aided by The second chapter investigates the and includes both mental and physical In his final chapter, Huntington discusses the illustrations which accompany the text. graphic and cosmological construct of the construction of a man.d. ala representing the the architectural construction of sacred The creation of the universe, and the man.d. ala, the palace of a Buddhist deity realized universe. The physical construction space, as a simulacrum of the spiritual rendering of cosmological constructs in (a personification of enlightened mind), of the offering, the theme of Huntington’s cosmology with which the preceding chapters physical form, is a complex aspect of architecturally rendered to emphasize the third chapter, includes objects of sensory have dealt. This ordering is especially Vajrayāna practise, and while this book qualities associated with the deity in question. enjoyment, such as rice and jewels, piled upon welcome, since it places – conceptually as provides a scholarly treatment of one Each of these man.d. alas is seen as “one a base. The omission of the hell realms, which well as physically – the translocal before important cultural aspect of the Buddhist particular place within the Buddhist cosmos as Huntington points out would not make the local, and so emphasises the state of spiritual path, it also comes close to being and [the means by which] conceptions of for a pleasant offering, is interesting, since realization over the process. This is not to say, a contemplative text. While its language that place relate to the achievement of it reveals the presumed gap in the (as yet of course, that the process of construction of and discourse is firmly rooted in scholarship, enlightenment” (p.105). These ‘conceptions’ unenlightened) practitioner’s mind between a temple is not in itself an aid to contemplative its multitude of explanatory and artistic relate to the construction and absorption of offering the physical representation of the practise; indeed, it emphasizes how the images and its profound investigation into man.d. alas in contemplative practise, in which enlightened cosmos and realizing (that is, spiritual trajectory necessarily returns to the the relationship between the physical and the practitioner experiences the man.d. ala and making real) its idealized and conceptual physical place in which the practitioner is the mental will surely appeal to those with realizes (makes real) him- or herself with the form. Nonetheless, in making the man.d. ala located. both an academic and spiritual interest in deity. Thus it is that two practitioners sitting offering, as in making any offering, the Huntington’s exploration of the the subject matter. Creating the Universe, side by side, or on different sides of the world, physical, restricted by time and space, is a cosmological architecture of religious then, is an especially notable achievement, can experience directly, and according to limited form from which the imagined form, buildings reminds us that their relationship and I look forward to future work based their own understanding, the man.d. ala of with no such restrictions, develops. Moreover, with the spiritual world is mediated by time upon Huntington’s innovative and important the same deity in different ways. The idea of the form, in which the hands interlace and space, as well as by the choices of those approach to the study of Buddhist cosmology the local becomes translocal, as Huntington to make a representation of the cosmic Mount who commission, design and build them. and Buddhist practise. says, and it is through this process that the Meru surrounded by the four continents (of Indeed, one of the hallmarks of this book transformative power of the man.d. ala is which our own Jambudvīpa is one), offers is its subtle observation on how human Simon Wickhamsmith, Rutgers, The State experienced. another approach. In this way, and with the perception and comprehension of the spiritual University of New Jersey, United States 24 newbooks.asia Asian Studies. Newest Titles. The Review Latest Reviews.

to economic insecurity – which people ethnographic description of both rural areas nevertheless attribute to ethnic discrimination and the agents of the state would have allowed in Nepal, and to ‘socio-political subjugation the author to reveal the gap between the by the ethnic other’ in Darjeeling (p. 79). The discourses maintained by politicians, state Constructing author argues that Sikkim stands outside this anthropologists and activists, and actual pattern, as dependency rather than the politics common practices and ideas. Concerning of discrimination fuels ethnic politics there Sikkim itself, the author’s analysis of the democracy (p. 84). Another important point made in situation in terms of ethnic ‘fragmentation’ the book is that the ethnicisation of political (p. 131) – which is actually a political statement categories and action does not run counter based on the idea that the term ‘Nepali’ labels Mélanie Vandenhelsken to democracy, but is today an instrument for an historically and ethnically cohesive group, negotiation with the state, and more generally as much as the political class wanted them to Reviewed title allows the formation of political agency and be politically – contradicts her demonstration thnicity and Democracy in the Eastern Ethnicity and Democracy the collective mobilisation of ordinary people in other parts of the book of the flexibility over Himalayan Borderland is one of a number of in the Eastern Himalayas, as Susan Hangen time of the inner and outer ethnic boundaries Erecent books on the formation of ethnicity in the Eastern Himalayan had shown for eastern Nepal (The Rise of Ethnic of the category of ‘Nepali’ and its internal in the present-day eastern Himalayas, notably Borderland: Constructing Politics in Nepal, Routledge, 2010, Chapter 5). diversity and heterogeneity. including Suresh Kumar Gurung’s Sikkim: The strength of this book is that it gives a This point highlights a difficulty faced Ethnicity and Political Dynamics – A Triadic Democracy clear understanding of the main debates and by all researchers on this region, namely Perspective (Kunal Books, 2011), Townsend questions concerning a number of points on the need to maintain critical distance and to Middleton’s The Demands of Recognition: State Mona Chettri. 2017. ethnicity and its construction in the region – deconstruct the ethnic categories built by the Anthropology and Ethnopolitics in Darjeeling Amsterdam: Amsterdam University Press to give only a few examples: the role of state people themselves. In Chettri’s monograph, (Stanford University Press, 2015), and Sara ISBN 9789089648860 policies in differentiating Nepali in India and the people of focus are called the ‘Nepali Shneiderman’s Rituals of Ethnicity: Thangmi in Nepal, the centrality of ethnic belonging in ethnic group’ (for example p. 117), whereas Identities Between Nepal and India (University political struggles and collective action, the the book also provides the elements allowing of Pennsylvania Press, 2015). Mona Chettri’s role of the state in the development of claims for a deconstruction of this label. This monograph focuses in particular on the maintained through views and practices, the focused on ethnic categories – which also shows problem pertains for all ethnic categories, situation of the ‘Nepali’ in east Nepal, Darjeeling, first part describes the historical construction the prime interest of the comparison between but is particularly acute when speaking of and Sikkim – whose role, she argues, is central of the ethnicisation of politics in the region. the three areas in adding comprehension to a composite one, as it would be with the to the understanding of regional politics (p. 14) In this chapter, the starting point of the process this topic. Interestingly, the author’s fieldwork terms ‘Mongoloid’ or ‘Kirant’ as used in – and dwells on the transformation of Nepali of construction of the ‘Nepali’ is located in – which unfortunately is rather too briefly present-day political discourses. The view of ethnic identity into a political resource and a the Gorkha conquests (18th century), which described – provides the basis of her analysis Nepali as an ethnic group reflects the Nepalis’ base of political action. The author analyses this led to the formation of an unequal access through highlighting the ‘ethnic framework’ own endeavours for more than a century to process in the light of the combined influence to sources of production, or of a ‘tributary which people give to their economic and political establish cohesion and solidarity in order to of the state – or more accurately, the people’s mode of production’ (p. 41), based on the situation. Throughout the book, this ‘framework’ be recognized as full-fledged citizens in their view of the state – and of the connections and Hindu hierarchical principles, in particular is unfolded through the lens of the local people place of residence. However, for the sake of interactions between the three geographical the institutionalised economic and cultural before being analysed by the author. analysis, a distinction between the category areas under discussion. The transborder domination of high castes over ‘Adivasi/Janajati’ On a more critical note – if such is needed as viewed by the people and the researcher’s perspective adopted in the book is based on the or ‘tribes’. Chettri argues that this was one of for a book which, generally speaking, is both own category could be made. One might wish people’s experience of the region as a ‘cultural the main factors of outmigration of non-Hindus intellectually fulfilling and displays a sound here that research on this area could find a cross-road with a multi-directional flow of towards Darjeeling and Sikkim. theoretical basis – ethnic politics in Sikkim way to adequately express people’s claims for goods, ideas, and peoples’ (p. 13). The author The book then further clarifies the direct is described as mere instrumentalism (pp. recognition and fight against discrimination, also advocates a reframing of the perspective link people make between empowerment of 110–16), and unlike the approach the author while also maintaining analytical distance of the region as a set of bounded areas linked their ethnic community or the making of an adopts elsewhere in the book, as well as for her from the categories created as part of these in particular by kinship, religion, etc. (pp. 18–9), ‘ethnic homeland’, and political and economic treatment of Darjeeling and East Nepal, it omits political struggles; this would also allow as against a ‘political dissection’ of the areas emancipation. It discusses in detail the any account of the way in which recognition further discussion of the lack of alternative in the region that ‘reinforces a static approach’ emergence and various expressions of people’s as one of the categories framed by the state categories and forms of citizenship other to its people (p. 18). view of economic and political inequalities (Scheduled Tribe, OBC, MBC, etc.) functions than the ones promoted by the state. as an outcome of ethno-cultural domination, for people as a means of compensating Nevertheless, this book is a major The monograph concentrates on unravelling more particularly of high Hindu castes in a past history of political domination contribution to the knowledge of the eastern the conditions of existence of the ethnic ‘frame’ Nepal, and of the majority population in India. (cf. here Marc Galanter’s analysis of the Himalayas, above all because it lays the (defined on pp. 95–6) of political action and The comparison between the three regions Indian reservations policy as ‘compensatory foundations for a new approach that inequality in the region: how it has been highlights contrasts and continuities in the discrimination’ (Competing Equalities: Law foregrounds the experience of this region given life and strength by the function and part played by the states in nourishing the and the Backward Classes in India, University by its inhabitants as a space connected dysfunction of both the Indian (in Darjeeling process of ethnicisation of politics (and of of California Press, 1984); the transposition and shared across state borders and and Sikkim) and Nepali states and how it unfolds politicisation of ethnic categories). Nepal and to Sikkim of the narrative, which developed territorialisation. in people’s views and practices. Although the West Bengal have in common the absence in Nepal, of domination by high Hindu greater part of the book focuses on the ways of the state in people’s daily difficulties, and castes, is thus deserving further scholarly Mélanie Vandenhelsken, this ethnic ‘frame’ has been deployed and is the pervasiveness of clientelism, leading investigation. In addition, more extensive University of Vienna, Austria

bridging and linking; and the inflow of and its consequences for Filipinas working Sunshine across the sea? as entertainers in the big city, highlighting the role of the Filipino Migrant Center in facilitating communication with other, often Niels Mulder Reviewed title undocumented, Filipino migrants, the locals, Thinking Beyond the State: and the local administration. Whereas the editor claimed that Japan– Migration, Integration, and Citizenship Philippines migration is well and alive as an in Japan and the Philippines object of interdisciplinary study, she also points istaken by the book's title, I expected to subjects that have so far eluded attention, to review a comparative study. The such as aging Filipino migrants, Filipino Johanna O. Zulueta (ed.) 2018. Msubject matter, however, is Filipino entrepreneurs and highly skilled migrants migration to Japan in contemporary times, Manila: De La Salle University Publishing House in Japan, Japanese educational migrants and the complex issues this entails. It is this and Brighton: Sussex Academic Press and Japanese retirement migration to the entanglement that is hinted at in the idea of ISBN 9789715556569 Philippines. As the latter drew my attention 'thinking beyond the state' as, until recently, as missing, I inquired about the result of the studies of migration were held hostage by the Philippine Retirement Authority's long-standing role of the state and its policies in the process. contrast to this stood the then mere 17,021 nurses in the national licensure examinations; effort in attracting Japanese retirees. The With the shift to transnational approaches, Japanese nationals in the Philippines. the issues and concerns of Filipino domestic result is not world-shaking, as the Philippine however, other actors, such as the migrants With their focus on the experiences of workers to Japan; and the impediments on Retirement Authority informed me that a mere themselves, migrant organizations and Filipino migrants, the nine author-contributors reaching human security for migrants. From 2,223 Japanese retirees had currently availed networks, came to the fore. Consequently, present us with the wide range of pressing the very titles, it is already obvious that all these themselves of the privileged Special Resident in the present collection of contributions, issues these migrants are facing. In doing so, contributions can recommend no more than Retiree's Visa status (March 2019). migrant agency receives its due. the limits of state-centric discourses become utopian policy solutions. Be this as it may, I still quote Professor obvious, and by 'thinking beyond it', the various The part on agency highlights migrants Mina Roces's prefatory observation, The editor/contributor, Johanna Zulueta, authors problematize contemporary migration decision-making regarding staying in or “This is a very important seminal study that introduces the subject matter with lucid, processes. Substantially, their contributions leaving Japan; issues of child upbringing and will be a major contribution to the robust field albeit very condensed, observations on the have been thematically divided into three citizenship of the offspring of mixed marriages; of Filipino migration studies. In addition, the complicated questions the book addresses, main parts – Challenges to Policies; Agency the perspectives of Japanese-Filipino youth, research findings have implications for future at the same time she provides the reader with in Structure; Communities and Integration. while noting the importance of Japanese policy-making and underscore the need for historical data about the movement of people The challenges consist of a review of nationality as cultural capital; and how Filipino transnational approaches to migration that, between Japan and the Philippines. In this immigration policy in contemporary Japan; rap music by Japanese-Filipino youth can serve as the book's title suggests, ‘think beyond regard, we are informed that, as of December the policy failure of the Japan–Philippines as a strategy for visibility and acceptance. the state’” (p.xii). 2016, Filipinos –almost a quarter million of them Economic Partnership Agreement regarding The last part relates the role of Migrant – rank as the third largest group of immigrants, the healthcare workers' migration scheme, Support Organizations in the process of Niels Mulder, Independent scholar, next to Chinese and Korean nationals. In which notes the low passing rate of Filipino migrant integration through social bonding, the Philippines The Newsletter No. 86 Summer 2020 25 The Review

Also intriguing is the author’s devotion , and other sensitive areas. In the of an entire chapter to the multi-ethnic meantime, the book provides a very history of the city of Beijing, as exemplified readable overview of a rich spectrum of by the venerable Yonghe Temple, a Tibetan peoples and events up to 2017, and offsets Lesser dragons that dates from the early the more contentious regions with the more 18th century, as well as the contemporary placid conditions in areas like , Beijing Chinese Ethnic Culture Park. Both , and Manchuria. Stephen Roddy Reviewed title institutions reflect the state’s efforts over As the author notes, the sheer size Lesser Dragons: Minority multiple eras to promote interethnic harmony, of his subject required him to leave out or in the ambitious phrase of the post-1978 potentially interesting groups and topics, Peoples of China era, the ‘great unity of the nationalities’. or to provide only cursory descriptions Following this examination of such symbolic such as that of the Naxi and Moso of Yunnan Michael Dillon. 2018. gestures toward the lofty goals of social and . If he were to supplement this London: Reaktion Books cohesion, however, much of the book focuses already rich trove of information in a future ISBN: 9781780239118 on the thornier issues of widening economic revision, he might consult more Chinese- disparities and growing resentment among language sources, especially historical texts minorities toward Han rule. Post-2000 like the 18th century literary accounts of the Xinjiang, in particular receives an extended Miao by Zhao Yi (1727-1814) and other visiting treatment that sifts through conflicting literati. Zhao’s surprise at Miao sexual habits explanations and descriptions of the is similar to that of the missionary Samuel significant incidents of violence there. Pollard (1864-1915), cited by the author; Readers will find the accounts of this less burdened by Christian prudery, however, situation, and of local separatist movements Zhao is much less judgmental. Similarly, or other dissident political trends there, mid- to late-Qing Han writers in Taiwan helpful in understanding the roots of local recoil from the practice of headhunting antagonism toward Beijing’s policies. by indigenous groups, but many write esser Dragons: Minority Peoples of China Particularly useful are its opening chapters, Although evenhanded in evaluating with considerable sympathy for the groups explores the recent history of a dozen or in which the author sketches the various both the achievements and the shortfalls of whose lands were being encroached upon Lso ethnic groups scattered across China’s historical and political roots of People’s official policies toward minorities, the author by waves of settlers from the mainland. continental periphery and in various parts of Republic of China’s policies toward the 56 does not explore some of the dimensions of In short, Lesser Dragons is a very China proper. It devotes separate chapters ethnic groups that came to be designated these various crises that do not lie within the accessible introduction to a formidably to the largest and most prominent of these (not always willingly) as such by the state. framework of a dichotomous relationship large and complex subject, especially groups (Tibetan, Mongol, Uighur, Hui, Miao, The author identifies the institutional between minority groups and Han-dominated suitable for adoption in courses on minorities and Manchu), as well as to Han subgroups framework of minority policy as the product officialdom (or Han migrants in places like or even general courses on modern Chinese such as the Hakka people in Taiwan and on of a ‘top–down’ approach to classifying Inner Mongolia and Xinjiang). In the case history and society. One quibble: South the mainland. Written in a fluid style and nationality (民族), first adopted based on the of Xinjiang, for example, tensions between Koreans are described (p.181) as still regularly unburdened by disciplinary jargon, it is Soviet concept of natsionalnost, and discusses Kazakhs and Uighurs in the northern using Chinese characters alongside , replete with vivid descriptions of geography, how it has evolved through accommodation to and central areas of the province are not the Korean alphabet, (unlike the North ethnography, and other relevant subjects that local conditions even while retaining elements mentioned at all, even though this has Koreans who have migrated into Yanbian general readers will find enlightening. Indeed, that continue to be resisted by multiple been a significant factor in the persistent in recent years); in fact, Chinese characters considering that very few social scientists groups. While the widely varying cultural unrest there. Given the near impossibility of only rarely appear in print in South Korea have studied the full array of China’s minority and physical settings make each region’s conducting any sort of non-state-sponsored these days. regions and cultures, it can serve as a handy story unique, he refers regularly to nationwide research in that area for the time being, we reference work for almost anyone, including trends, and leaders like Hu Yaobang and will probably have to await a more peaceful Stephen Roddy, specialists, in search of a comprehensive Deng Xiaoping, where their impacts on era to be able to dig deeper into the complex University of San Francisco, introduction to the subject. minorities were particularly noteworthy. layers of the problematic state of Xinjiang, United States

by a large body of literature particularly critical In this respect, the book’s central chapters of how South Korea’s multiculturalism expects (three and four, out of seven) can be seen Revisiting the fairy and and incites marriage immigrants to work and as written against two kinds of fairy tales assimilate in the domestic space through their in which women are alternatively portrayed role as caregivers. In Kim’s words, “Marriage as saved or oppressed by marriage. the woodcutter story immigrants’ maternal citizenship presupposes Chapter 3 discusses the possibility of love immigrant mothers as ‘Other subjects’ to among foreign brides and rural bachelors be Koreanized and domesticates them as without romanticizing it, offering the idea Justine Guichard mother citizens” (p.48). The contribution that that ‘heterosexual scripts’ can account for Elusive Belonging adds to the existing critical the intimacy that may develop between scholarship rests on telling the intimate stories strangers despite communication barriers of Filipina women engaged in the process of posed by language and culture. Even when building this and other forms of citizenship in love is present in their lives, the fate of the South Korean countryside, where no less Filipina women is never idealized as they join than one third of the marriages involve foreign- husbands who are importantly situated as born brides. The focus of the book is therefore “subordinate subjects of Korea’s neoliberal on marriage immigrants’ own agency and the economic system” (p.90). This position is varied emotions – such as love, gratitude, and analyzed by Kim as bringing about a range Reviewed title anxiety – underpinning the choices they can of anxieties in rural families. Chapter 4 argues Elusive Belonging: Marriage make as well as those that are imposed upon that the material insecurity these families them in the private and public realms. face can translate into adverse effects on Immigrants and ‘Multiculturalism’ By adopting such a lens Kim is enabled to foreign-born wives, particularly under the in Rural South Korea reject “the image of international marriage form of restrictions on their physical mobility immigrants as passive brides or victims of and economic agency. Yet, the author refuses sex trafficking” while venturing “beyond the Minjeong Kim. 2018. to reduce domestic tensions and conflicts problems faced by marriage immigrants to ‘the Fairy and the Woodcutter Syndrome’, Honolulu: University of Hawai‘i Press that have inundated popular and academic an expression coined by the South Korean ISBN 9780824869816 discourses”, such as social discrimination and media after a folktale believed to capture domestic violence (p.22). Her aim is obviously the unequal power dynamics of international not to negate the reality of these experiences marriages. but to enrich our understanding of how In the tale, a solitary woodcutter entraps a women who immigrated for marriage to rural fairy into marrying him by stealing her clothes ontemporary South Korea is seldom been in numbers, but also in diversity. While South Korea navigate their lives in the early while she is bathing. This leaves the deceived thought of as made up of towns and international marriages were overwhelmingly 21st century. Following the ‘emotional turn’ creature no choice but to escape after having Cimmigrants. In Elusive Belonging, contracted between Korean women and that has affected migration and citizenship given birth to two children that she takes Minjeong Kim studies both, providing an foreign-born men – notably American soldiers studies, Kim explores the attachments and away with her. The many trajectories that Kim ethnographic account of the lives of Filipina – until the early 1990s, they have since frustrations shaping these women’s sense of retraces include some of departure – a term women who married South Korean rural primarily involved Korean men and foreign- belonging in the country of their spouses, who she prefers to escape – toward the book’s bachelors in two close localities where the born women from countries such as China, are neither depicted as villains nor princes end. Even then, her emphasis remains on the author conducted fieldwork in the mid-2000s. the Philippines, and Vietnam. charming. Husbands themselves are not only diversity and complexity of Filipina women’s By the time Kim immersed herself in the taken into account in the book but they are lived experiences, making Elusive Belonging activities and experiences of this community, Although recent, these demographic also given a voice, alongside the state and civil a necessary read for anyone interested in the more than one in every 10 new marriages transformations have already attracted society’s multicultural agents as well as the marriage immigrants’ side of the story – a concluded in South Korea was defined as significant scholarly attention as Kim does Unification Church, the main matchmaker for story of ‘immigration for marriage’ rather international, i.e. as involving a foreign-born not fail to mention. Research to date has not the couples Kim encountered. In accordance than ‘marriage for immigration’ that Kim individual. This proportion represented a only centered on marriage immigrants and with her objective to revisit the dominant convincingly chooses to tell in the plural rather marked increase compared with the rate of their families but also on the response of the perception of marriage immigrants as passive than in the singular. one in every 100 unions at the beginning of the South Korean state through its multiculturalism victims, Kim also challenges the assumption 1990s. From one decade to the next, change project. The gendered and ethnocentric that their spouses are fundamentally abusive Justine Guichard, in international marriage trends has not only foundations of this project have been analyzed and exploitative. Université de Paris, France 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. Browse a selection of the latest reviews below.

‘An engaging ethnography contributing ‘Fascinating cetacean journeys from to the discussion of biopower, governance, migration to capture, dismemberment, as well as bodily experience in critical use and memorial with all points in medical anthropology’ between in early modern Japan’ – Ruiyao Tian – Robert Winstanley-Chesters

Arielle A. Smith. 2018. Jakobina Arch. 2018. Capturing Quicksilver: The Position, Power, and Plasticity Bringing Whales Ashore: Oceans and Environment of Chinese Medicine in Singapore of Early Modern Japan New York: Berghahn Seattle: Washington University Press ISBN 9781785337949 ISBN 9780295743295 https://newbooks.asia/review/chinese-medicine-singapore https://newbooks.asia/review/whales-ashore

‘Holst’s book is fascinating, though ‘Postcolonial Biology explores the embodied his analyses are not always easily implications of colonial and postcolonial accessible’ imaginations of the good life’ – Hans Schenk – Kiran Keshavamurthy

Tore Holst. 2018. Deepika Bahri. 2017. The Affective Negotiation of Slum Tourism: City Walks Postcolonial Biology: Psyche and Flesh after Empire in Delhi Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press Abingdon and New York: Routledge ISBN 9780816698363 ISBN 978113872989 https://newbooks.asia/review/postcolonial-biology https://newbooks.asia/review/slum-tourism-delhi

‘This is a captivating ethnography and ‘A good introduction to see the bigger history on the impact of rural medical Tsang picture behind current events in China’ amchi on the peripheries of Tibetan society’ – Pablo Ignacio Ampuero Ruiz – Ivette Vargas-O’Bryan Jeffrey N. Wasserstrom & Maura Elizabeth Cunningham. 2018. China in the 21st Century: What Everyone Needs to Know®, Theresia Hofer. 2018. 3rd edition. Medicine and Memory in Tibet: Amchi Physicians in an Age of Reform Oxford and New York: Oxford University Press ISBN 9780190659080 Seattle: University of Washington Press https://newbooks.asia/review/china-21st-century ISBN 9780295742984 https://newbooks.asia/review/medicine-memory-tibet

‘This volume brings together novel possibilities ‘The book intends to provide documentation of reconsidering the inter-workings of culture on the state of iconography, aesthetics, and politics as being performative in nature’ patronage, and artists’ – Urmi Bhattacharyya – Kristoffel Lieten

Dev Nath Pathak and Sasanka Perera (eds.) 2018. B. N. Goswamy and Vrinda Agrawal. 2018. Culture and Politics in South Asia: Performative Oxford Readings in Indian Art Communication New Delhi: Oxford University Press Abingdon and New York: Routledge ISBN 9780199469420 ISBN 9781138103467 https://newbooks.asia/review/indian-art https://newbooks.asia/review/performative-communication The Newsletter No. 86 Summer 2020 27 The Review

‘Amsler’s book convincingly contributes ‘An interesting contribution to the debate to both religious history and gender studies about the effect of religion on politics’ by linking the Jesuits’ conduct with Chinese – Sirojuddin Arif

women’s religiosity’ Thomas B. Pepinsky, R. William Liddle, and Saiful Mujani. 2018. – Aliz Horvath Piety and Public Opinion: Understanding Indonesian Islam New York: Oxford University Press Nadine Amsler. 2018. ISBN 9780190697808 Jesuits and Matriarchs: Domestic Worship in Early Modern China https://newbooks.asia/review/piety-public-opinion Seattle: University of Washington Press ISBN 9780295743806 https://newbooks.asia/review/jesuits-matriarchs

‘Sarkar’s work is tour de force that will ‘The book will make us think in a different undoubted serve as the new scholarly way about how we study cities, as well authority for understanding the as how we live in them’ development of royal goddess traditions’ – Nuno Grancho – Caleb Simmons Anne Rademacher. 2018. Building Green: Environmental Architects and the Struggle for Bihani Sarkar. 2017. Sustainability in Mumbai Heroic Shāktism: The Cult of Durgā in Ancient Indian Kingship Oakland, CA: University of California Press London: The British Academy ISBN 9780520296008 ISBN 9780197266106 https://newbooks.asia/review/building-green-mumbai https://newbooks.asia/review/heroic-shaktism

‘The collection is transformative, giving ‘This book is a useful reference guide the reader little kaleidoscopic pieces from for those who want to know more on various perspectives, places, and times that how Delhi made the transition from explore water, humans, poetry, commerce, a pre-colonial to a post-colonial city’ collecting, traveling, building, and more’ – Hans Schenk – Courtney Work Pilar Maria Guerrieri. 2018. Negotiating Cultures, Delhi’s Architecture Rila Mukherjee (ed.) 2017. and Planning from 1912 to 1962 Living with Water: Peoples, Lives and Livelihoods in Asia and Beyond New Delhi:Oxford University Press Delhi: Primus Books ISBN 9780199479580 ISBN 9789384092917 https://newbooks.asia/review/negotiating-cultures-delhi https://newbooks.asia/review/living-water

‘The book, like the Ganges, is stately, ‘This research opens new and necessary somewhat meandering, but fascinating debates to the historiography about and nourishing, and well worth a visit’ Colonial Latin America’ – Peter Admirand – Jorge Mojarro

Victor Mallet. 2018. Eva Maria Mehl. 2016. River of Life, River of Death: The Ganges and India’s Future Forced Migration in the Spanish Pacific World: Oxford: Oxford University Press From Mexico to the Philippines, 1765-1811 ISBN 9780198786177 Cambridge: Cambridge University Press https://newbooks.asia/review/saving-ganga ISBN 9781316480120 https://newbooks.asia/review/spanish-pacific

‘The digitization of business in China ‘Presenting a wide range of perspectives and is an important topic. This edited volume, insights by leading and emerging scholars, however, fails to deliver’ [the book] is an essential and up-to-date – Sacha Cody resource for scholars and graduate students

Young-Chan Kim and Pi-Chi Chen (eds). 2018. of contemporary Africa–China relations’ The Digitization of Business in China: Exploring the – Yi Sun Transformation from Manufacturing to a Digital Service Hub London: Palgrave Macmillan Chris Alden and Daniel Large (eds). 2018. ISBN 9783319790473 New Directions in Africa-China Studies https://newbooks.asia/review/digitization-china Abingdon and New York: Routledge ISBN 9781138714632 https://newbooks.asia/review/new-directions-africa-china-studies 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

Drunk Japan: Law and Alcohol in Japanese Society

Mark D. West. 2020.

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Reading The Muslim On Celluloid: Bollywood, Representation And Politics

Roshni Sengupta. 2020.

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The Making of Macau’s Contesting the Fusion Cuisine: From Family Table to World Stage Iranian Revolution: The Green Uprisings Annabel Jackson. 2020. Hong Kong University Press Pouya Alimagham. 2020. ISBN 9789888528349 https://newbooks.asia/publication/macau-cuisine Cambridge University Press ISBN 9781108567060 https://newbooks.asia/publication/contesting-iranian-revolution

Ute Meta Bauer, Khim Ong, Alexander Bukh. 2020. Tamsin Bradley. 2020. Yean-Ju Lee. 2020. Rahul Mukherjee. 2020. and Roger Nelson (eds). 2020. These Islands Are Ours: Global Perspectives Divorce in South Korea: Doing Radiant Infrastructures: The Impossibility of Mapping The Social Construction on Violence against Women Gender and the Dynamics Media, Environment, and (Urban Asia) of Territorial Disputes and Girls of Relationship Breakdown Cultures of Uncertainty World Scientific Publishing in Northeast Asia Zed Books University of Hawai'i Press Duke University Press ISBN 9789811211928 Stanford University Press ISBN 9781786994141 ISBN 9780824882556 ISBN 9781478008064 https://newbooks.asia/publication/ ISBN 9781503611894 https://newbooks.asia/publication/ https://newbooks.asia/publication/ https://newbooks.asia/publication/ mapping-urban-asia https://newbooks.asia/publication/ violence-against-women-girls divorce-south-korea radiant-infrastructures territorial-disputes Erica Vogel. 2020. Niro Kandasamy, Nirukshi Perera, Ash Rossiter and Brendon J. Jeffrey A. Redding. 2020. Migrant Conversions: Ryan Dunch and and Charishma Ratnam. 2020. Cannon (eds). 2020. A Secular Need: Islamic Transforming Connections Ashley Esarey (eds). 2020. A Sense of Viidu The (Re)creation Conflict and Cooperation Law and State Governance Between Peru and South Taiwan in Dynamic Transition: Nation of Home by the Sri Lankan in the Indo-Pacific: in Contemporary India Korea Building and Democratization Tamil Diaspora in Australia New Geopolitical Realities University of Washington Press University of California Press University of Washington Press Palgrave Macmillan Routledge ISBN 9780295747088 ISBN 9780520341173 ISBN 9780295746807 ISBN 9789811513688 ISBN 9780367423506 https://newbooks.asia/publication/ https://newbooks.asia/publication/ https://newbooks.asia/publication/ https://newbooks.asia/publication/ https://newbooks.asia/publication/ secular-need migrant-conversions taiwan-dynamic-transition viidu indo-pacific-geopolitical The Newsletter No. 86 Summer 2020 29 The Focus

Aftermath of Indian Ocean Tsunami in Galle, Sri Lanka 2004. Image courtesy of the UN on Flickr. Reproduced under a Creative Commons license.

Environmental issues, social activism and policy challenges

Environmental concerns are top on the list of any local, national or international agenda due to Aysun Uyar Makibayashi the increasing scale and frequency of these issues. Our daily lives, behaviours and actions are all somehow intertwined with the environment in its larger sense. Sustainability discussions have been putting more emphasis on the environment, environmental protection, and environmental governance, within its three-legged frame (economy and society being the other two legs). The governance mechanisms involved are no longer taking place on just a state-to-state platform, but rather, other interstate and non-state initiatives have been taking the lead while addressing, questioning, raising awareness, and taking action vis-à-vis these rising issues of sustainability and environment. Most of the non-state actors, namely communities, civil society initiatives, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and non-profit organizations (NPOs), raise their voices in an attempt to influence and amend public policies concerning the environment, for the attainment of sustainability on local, national, and international levels, with the goal of a more ecologically fair society for today’s and future generations. Their motivation to act and become involved is often because they have been first-hand witnesses and victims of environmental degradation or disasters.

nvironmental changes can be gradual patterns, ecosystem degradation (especially food, shelter, sanitation, heating, among others, different regions/countries; social activism or sudden. Sudden events usually take in vulnerable locations such as coastal, that provide a secure living environment. In most and responses from small-scale gatherings Ethe form of natural disasters, climatic low-lying and agrarian land), rising sea-levels cases, immediate or mid-term responses by to mass movements; and challenges to conditions, and related infrastructural (particularly for rural areas by the coast), service providers, namely local governments, environmental policies, thereby looking at accidents. Natural disasters can range from deterioration of water and air quality, and governmental agencies, and national govern- (local) government responses to environmental geophysical disasters (avalanches, earth- loss of biodiversity (plants and animals). This ments, are too slow or insufficient, so that events and the growing environmental quakes, and volcanic eruptions) to hydrological list is not exhaustive yet covers many issues people are forced to try and create their own activism among civilians. disasters (floods, landslides, and tsunamis), facing the world’s population in general, in protective measures and coping mechanisms. The first session hosted four presentations and meteorological disasters (storms, droughts, particular those vulnerable communities and that concentrated on policymaking and heatwaves, and wildfires). The 2011 Great social groups who live in environmentally implementation of environmental governance Eastern Japan Triple Disaster (earthquake, insecure areas of developing countries. Contributions to this Focus (on university collaboration at an international tsunami and nuclear meltdown) is an example Uncontrolled urbanization is another ICAS 11 (International Convention of Asia level to cope with rising environmental issues of just how quickly our lives can be devastated problem. With increasing numbers of migrant Scholars; 16-19 July 2019) hosted three of urbanization, and the re-definition of by a sudden natural occurrence. communities from rural areas packing consecutive sessions on ‘environmental issues, an environmental migration framework), Gradual environmental events include into city centres and fringes, the new city social activism, and policy challenges’ by and bottom-up mobilizations and ways in the catastrophic impacts of general climate surroundings present new risks. Sudden and successfully gathering various papers on which NGOs are struggling to cope with the change (the negative impacts of green- gradual environmental events are a threat different regions, issues, and communities of hard-core policymaking practices of central house gas emissions pose the largest threat to people’s daily lives and their basic human Asia. In all, there were 11 presentations that governments. for all communities), shifting weather needs, such as clean air, (drinkable) water, focused on various environmental issues in Continued overleaf 30 Environmental issues, social activism The Focus and policy challenges

Left: People struggle with poor sanitation facilities while simultaneously trying to turn their beautiful natural water resources into a touristic income (Photo taken by the author, February 5, 2013).

Right: Man walking through a flooded rice field. Image courtesy of the World Bank on Flickr. Reproduced under a creative commons license.

Above: Otsuchi Town, three months after the Great Tohoku Earthquake, Iwate Prefecture, Japan (Photo taken by the author, June 25, 2011).

The following session hosted three and central governments. In the meantime, The last article is by this author, Uyar the bottom-up movements to challenge and papers on the betterment of organic an already evolving political structure in Makibayashi; it challenges our existing amend environmental policies, and the top- farming conditions in rural areas and local Vietnam has also started to transform the policymaking agendas by redefining the down initiatives by local and central, as well as markets while connecting them to larger way the government responds to its people. concept of migration from the perspective international governance mechanisms, to hear, markets; reactions and response capacities The article by Schlehe looks at public of environmental change. Underlining the invite, integrate, and realize these challenges of central and local authorities to disaster awareness about waste and waste production growing significance of environmental change and recommendations from the public, are preparation and resilience in Southeast in Indonesia by focusing on cultural traits, within migration discussions, it is plausible both relatively new constructions. The fierce Asian countries; and central governments’ perceptions, and transformations within society, that policymakers on all levels need to find speed of communications through the internet role in promoting nationwide environmental from an anthropological point of view. She better solutions to the environmental issues and social network services, as well as cheaper policies on climate change. The final session outlines the rationalist approaches to waste faced by increasing numbers of migrating and faster modes of transport for people to of the series presented its audience a variety management practices in the country and how groups and emerging migrant communities, mobilize, gather and communicate with other of topics, including energy politics at the moral reasonings and communal initiatives are both in their sending and receiving countries. participatory actors of policymaking, have national level; environmental activism and shaped by cultural environment and personal transformed the way we plan, discuss, and social mobilization with the use of social perceptions, while awareness for environmental implement our politics. Though there are still network services (SNS); cultural sensitivities changes and challenges is increasing. She Towards better many hurdles to people’s free participation and attitudes while practicing voluntary underlines the importance of joining all efforts communication and and involvement in politics, adjusting ourselves activism; and legal aspects of protecting the not only on an individual or community basis, to the still transforming phenomena is crucial. environment through learning mechanisms of but also at commercial and transregional levels, sustainable governance More people-based approaches in which the political culture. in order to cope with environmental challenges. As can be seen in the following articles, we are more receptive, more participatory, This short Focus section of The Newsletter The third piece is co-written by Chica- there is much potential in social network services more active in taking initiatives to change comprises four of the papers presented Morales and Domenech. It discusses the and other digital media for communicating and protect our livelihoods and environment during the ICAS 11 sessions on environmental university-level collaborations between South the details of environmental issues (the are being accomplished in a growing number change, social activism and policy challenges. Korea, Spain and Mongolia, that are creating dangers and threats of both sudden events of instances. The next step is for our political The first piece, written by Nguyen, focuses an intellectual and research environment for and gradual changes) and presenting the cultures and governance mechanisms to strive on the learning practices of people on their those stakeholders concerned with environ- options of how to take action, ranging from for just and fair (both for ourselves and for way to becoming environmental citizens in mental degradation and urbanization in online social activism to gatherings of the our environment) legal frameworks, and more Vietnam. Bottom-up approaches, ranging Mongolia. Environmental shifts have already masses. New policy agendas emerge, to be sustainable solutions for the inevitable sudden from small size SNS activities to large scale, started to force people to adapt cultural habits, presented to local and central governments, and gradual environmental changes. highly-participated and even internationally such as living in their traditional tents, known to help them change their policies to be more acclaimed protests to protect the natural as Ger. The university initiative presents a humane and environmentally friendly. environment in Vietnam, are scrutinized transnational and multidisciplinary approach There is no fixed or absolute way in which Aysun Uyar Makibayashi, alongside various interesting and engaging to mobilize communities within the academia to to mobilise and activate these non-state actors Associate Professor, case studies. People have practised, learned, look at issues of environmental change and find and civil voices, because there exist a multitude Faculty of Global and Regional Studies, and emerged as active participants of the solutions for both people and policymakers at of political cultures, regimes, and institutions Doshisha University, culture of opposition and criticism of local local and central government levels. in different countries and regions. In all truth, Kyoto [email protected] The Newsletter No. 86 Summer 2020 Environmental issues, social activism 31 and policy challenges The Focus

From cyberspace to the streets Emerging environmental paradigm of justice and citizenship in Vietnam

Quang Dung Nguyen Vietnam’s state-society relations in the arena of environmental governance have changed remarkably since online forums and social networks have become popular in promoting the more vibrant and active participation of civil society. Moving from the background to the forefront of the political scene, and from community level to a nation-wide scale, environmental activism, one of the most vocal branches of Vietnam’s civil society, addresses environmental concerns as matters of justice. Intellectuals, scientists, tech-savvy netizens, urban youths, and others, have used social media to generate critical environmental discourse and social mobilization and have then translated such online activism into other forms of advocacy. All these people have come together virtually for discussions and to sign petitions, and physically in the streets to join protests, which primarily involve demands for ecological justice, environmental justice, and more civic participation in decision-making processes. The emergence of elite and grassroots environmental activism has forced the state to rethink its environmental politics and to consider citizens’ basic rights to environmental decision-making and environmental citizenship.

What does environmental into the modes of political engagement”.2 exposure to environmental risks, and the against the government’s ‘Master Plan’ for However, environmental citizenship in Vietnam lack of civic engagement in environmental “the exploration, mining, processing, and citizenship mean in Vietnam? during the past decade has been primarily politics over their immediate environment; use of bauxite reserves” across the country.3 On social media, Vietnamese nationals manifested through environmental activism 2. Activism for ecological justice, regarding The Plan involved building seven different share their collective understandings with by groups of Vietnamese citizens, mostly the justice for nature, nature conservation or factories to process bauxite-alumina and regard to the sustainability of development grassroots, challenging the state’s monopoly moral relationship with nature. alumina for mine clusters in five provinces of and nature conservation. Such sentiments are in environmental politics. Such manifestations 3. Activism for both environmental central highland areas. In response to such a circulated across the country, engendering range from micro-acts of online participation justice and ecological justice. massive project, widespread opposition with nationwide environmental activism. Those (such as reposting images or posts/critical In the following sections, typical environmental concerns emerged, starting people joining the movement are environ- viewpoints from activists, ‘liking’ posts, environmental movements are discussed with the country’s intellectuals. During the first mental citizens. Environmental citizenship posting comments and Facebook Live videos, in an analytical framework to provide more half of 2009, diverse individuals and informal refers to the rights and responsibilities signing petitions) to participation in physical insights into these modes of activism. networks of prominent intellectuals, bloggers, towards the livability of citizens’ ecological protest events. Environmental citizenship domestic reporters, government scientists, and space, and the “responsibility of those who in contemporary Vietnam has three modes former political leaders – including General are occupying too much of that space to of activism: Nation-wide environmentalism, Vo Nguyen Giap, Vietnam’s most popular reduce their ecological footprint”.1 Prominently 1. Activism for environmental justice, military leader4 – joined a highly controversial incorporated into policy making processes regarding all issues of environmental politics starting with intellectuals public debate over the imminent harms the in many societies worldwide, environmental that involve fair/unfair distribution of The first symbolic environmental mining project might cause to environmental citizenship is “a means of promoting the goals environmental hazards, livelihood, inequality, activism that showcased the emergence of sustainability and local livelihoods. of sustainability and environmental protection power, benefits among humans, people’s environmental citizenship via social media was They created a critical public advocacy and integrating environmental concerns ‘vulnerability to ecological disasters’, their the anti-Bauxite Mining movement in 2009, against the state’s hegemonic decision – mostly through workshops, seminars, articles, online discussions, and online Fig. 1: Bauxite Vietnam petitions.5 The widespread reach of the Website in its original anti-bauxite advocacy started from online format before 7 July 2009. (Image Courtesy of reports about the workshops attended by Jason Morris, see endnote the economists, environmentalists, experts 5). Other websites on mining technology, and scholars of existed upon which these intellectuals had been cultural and social studies from universities posting their blogs and and institutions. These activists raised their commentaries for several disapproval of the bauxite project, drawing years. However, none of them had attracted special concerns from the mainstream press. so much mainstream Environmental debates by these activists attention as did Bauxite were based on specific quantitative technical Vietnam then. By the data, especially cost-benefit analyses time the website was successfully hacked and with evaluation of possible harms to land paralyzed in December resources, employment, deforestation, loss of 2009, it had registered of local traditional livelihoods and hundreds some 17 million hits (Morris, J. 2013:124). of millions of tons of red mud discharge. Many popular newspapers then followed to bring the ‘bauxite debate’ into the spotlight, instigating a massive concern for environmental risks of the project. Revolutionary hero General Vo Nguyen Giap, aged 98, sent the government a short letter, and then the most widely known and accomplished Vietnamese intellectuals sent a petition with 135 signatures. These elite activists then launched the Bauxite Vietnam website, the formal blog site for the petition.6 The website has become a platform for a few democratic voices to inspire many others to speak up and practice more on environmental citizenship and was still a point of departure for online environmentalism years later, instigating more public awareness about environmental issues in the country. The anti-Bauxite Mining movement demonstrated how the popularity of the Internet has facilitated the much wider production and circulation of environmental knowledge and environmental concerns. For the first time in Vietnam, digital networks could mobilize collective sentiments and actions for environmental and ecological justice. The movement could mobilize

Continued overleaf 32 Environmental issues, social activism The Focus and policy challenges

individuals from diverse groups (intellectuals, 6:30 to 7:00 a.m., in a 3:36 minute report National Park where Son Doong is located, action for ecological justice. It demonstrates members of parliaments, environmental about the #SaveSonDoong movement. yet requested a thorough study be conducted the young citizens’ desire to have their voices activists, pro-democracy activists, retired In this TV report, she explained the urgency before construction. In response to the PM’s heard by the state. Online mobilization and high-ranking officials, and many others) of conservation and need for action to save in-principle agreement to the proposed event organization substantially contributed to and it marked the emergence of the quest the cave. Other campaign supporters wearing 5.2 kilometer cable car project, activists raising public awareness of civic engagement for environmental citizenship in the state’s #SaveSonDoong T-shirts were also featured initiated another petition on 8 September 2017. in environmental politics (aka environmental decision-making process. in the report, with each person giving a It too received over 170,000 signatures and citizenship) and social awareness of nature The government’s response included arrests few words to make a complete message. was sent to the Prime Minister of Vietnam, conservation and the human moral relationship of high-profile bloggers during May and June An impressive excerpt from that message is UNESCO World Heritage Center, IUCN, with nature, among young Vietnamese people. of 2009. In addition, in July 2009, it imposed that “Five billion years of nature’s creation Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, strict censorship on scientific research and would be destroyed by a drill”. and Ministry of Natural Resources and scholarly works, while intimidating the leaders The #SaveSonDoong movement gained Environment. Furthermore, #SaveSonDoong Fish need clean water, of the Bauxite Vietnam website until early more steam with ‘One day to save five million Virtual Reality Exhibitions were organized on 2010. Although the movement could not years’, a whole-day event on 24 January 2015. many campuses and other locations across citizens need transparency suspend the project, it posed a “considerable The event included a display of international the country – Da Nang, Ha Noi, Ho Chi Minh In early April 2016, fishermen from coastal challenge to the party-state on the ground award-wining photos of Son Doong, previously City and Can Tho. The organizers applied new villages of the Vung Ang port region encountered of critical environmental knowledge”.7 featured in The Telegraph, New York Times technology to bring to life the science lessons an alarming number of dead fish. Close to During the years following the bauxite and Outdoor Magazine. There was also of the world’s most pristine ecosystem. At the 70 tons of dead fish washed up along 125 miles mining controversy, a growing population a screening of the ‘World’s Biggest Cave’ events, guests could explore the Son Doong of the coastline of Ha Tinh, Quang Tri, Quang of environmental citizens across the country, documentary by the National Geographic, and Cave virtually and learn more about the Binh, and Thua Thien Hue. Locals suspected mostly urban youth, have been exposed to a debate/talk show on ‘Heritage Preservation initiative to save it. that the fish had been killed by chemicals diverse critical environmental discourses on vs. Mass Tourism’. Interactive activities between Then, on 9 April 2019, a representative of discharged by the Formosa Ha Tinh Steel digital platforms, especially Facebook. These activists and journalists facilitated the massive the Quang Binh provincial authority declared Plant, a subsidiary of Formosa Plastics Group, young individuals have put in huge amounts media coverage of the #SaveSonDoong that the province would not approve proposals located in the Vung Ang Special Economic Zone. of energy to practice their environmental campaign. Public advocacy was able to put by developers to construct cable cars and Amid rising accusations against the Taiwanese citizenship, to become environmental activists pressure on the provincial authorities to have there would be no construction in the core company, the mainstream press focused on the and citizen journalists. The #SaveSonDoong a dialogue with the people during a press zone of the National Park. This marked the steel plant's wastewater treatment after three movement that emerged years later shows conference in late 2014, in which the authorities tremendous success of the more than four-year local divers found a hidden underwater pipeline the youths’ passion for nature conservation promised to consider the environmental campaign by young environmentalists. The leading from the plant to the ocean, releasing in pursuit of ecological justice. concerns over the cable construction plan. #SaveSonDoong movement by tech-savvy a black and yellow discharge. Online public In August 2017, Prime Minister Nguyen urban youths utilized the power of online social activism soared by the end of April, with the Xuan Phuc endorsed a cable car line into the networks to mobilize the public into taking hashtag #toichonca or #ichoosefish becoming #SaveSonDoong: a hashtag of ecological justice Son Doong cave in Quang Binh province is the world’s largest cave, and has only been accessible since 2013. Just a very limited number of tourists are allowed to visit the cave, and only through eco-tours organized by tour company Oxalis. In early 2014, the mainstream news reported that the Quang Binh provincial authority planned to allow the Sun Group – the country’s biggest cable car operator – to build a cable car that would traverse the cave. The cable car would mean that the 800 visitors per year would increase to 1,000 people per hour. This would be a direct threat to the cave’s pristine ecosystems.8 In response, a group of young environmentalists led by the young teacher Le Nguyen Thien Huong,9 created collective and organized forums to mobilize social attention and action to save the cave from the environmental damages that the cable car would most certainly cause. The movement started with a Facebook fan page and a website, using the hashtag #SaveSonDoong. The Facebook fan page quickly attracted hundreds of thousands of followers, drawing much attention from the mainstream media. A subsequent online petition quickly received 173,729 signatures. The petition was sent to Vietnam’s then Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, UNESCO World Heritage Center, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, and Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. Campaign organizers mobilized Vietnamese celebrities to join a video and photo series in an effort to spread the message of the #SaveSonDoong movement. A 57-second video clip titled ‘Save So’n Đoòng’ was published on a YouTube channel, featuring 10 famous young individuals, who together – with a few words by each – created a complete message to the public: “Let’s together save Soon Doong by joining hands to prevent the construction of cable cars into the cave”. As of 6 March 2020, the video had been watched 17,129 times.10 The video and photos were shared on their Facebook fan page and the website ‘savesondoong.org’. Celebrities changed their Facebook profile pictures into the #SaveSonDoong sign. Followers were mobilized to take photos with #SaveSonDoong signs to post onto their personal Facebook pages. The campaign quickly raised public awareness and the hashtag #SaveSonDoong was highlighted through domestic mass media, including national television news channel VTV and Ho Chi Minh City TV (HTV). The discourse of nature conservation was extended to a greater public after media briefings attended by large numbers of journalists were released. The campaign’s leader, Le Nguyen Thien Huong, was featured in the ‘Welcome New Day’ program broadcast Fig. 2: Collage of famous Vietnamese urban youths and other young activists taking photos with the #SAVESONDOONG sign to endorse the campaign by HTV, a daily 30-minute news report from (posted on Facebook in January 2015) https://tinyurl.com/FBSonDoong The Newsletter No. 86 Summer 2020 Environmental issues, social activism 33 and policy challenges The Focus

environmental activism in Vietnam’s civil society depends on the strong will and toughness of activists, their ways to navigate censorship, and international pressure on the Vietnamese government to respect the rights to environmental citizenship alongside other civil rights for its citizens.

Quang Dung Nguyen, Dept. of Anthropology, USSH - Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City. Focussing on, among others, environmental citizenship, social media, civil society and investigative environmental journalism, his recent publications include ‘Complementarity between Humans and Nature: Adaptive Local Knowledge in a Protected Area of Northern Thailand’, Environmental Development 30:89-102; https://doi. org/10.1016/j.envdev.2019.03.001 [email protected]

Notes

Fig. 3: On 1 May 2016, on King Ly Thai To Monument Square, one of Ha Noi’s most famous landmarks, demonstrators held up signs demanding cleaner water and 1 Dobson, A., 2010. Environmental transparency of the state in its dealings with the Formosa disaster. Image Courtersy of Van Do, a Hanoi student who attended the protest. citizenship and pro-environmental behavior: Rapid research and evidence a manifestation of national collective sentiment, the non-transparent negotiations between movements by groups of citizens have framed review. London: SDRN, p.6. bonding environmentalists and concerned the state and the company. No opinion nature in interconnection with communities; 2 Pallett, H. 2017. ‘Environmental citizens all across the country. In addition to polls or surveys had been conducted on the accordingly, any harm to nature would lead citizenship’, in Richardson, D. et al. (eds) online activism, an anonymous environmentalist real economic loss and the plight of local to damages of human habitat, livelihood International Encyclopedia of Geography: created a petition on the White House’s website, livelihoods. Activists and environmentalists and sustainability. People, the Earth, Environment and requesting that the American government argued that the compensation amount With public scrutiny as a counter-balance Technology. Wiley-Blackwell, p.1; intervene and evaluate the environmental could not match the damage if thoroughly against hegemonic decisions, environmental https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118786352. disaster, and that President Obama raise the calculated. Sporadic protests in these four governance is no more a monopoly of the 3 The Prime Minister’s Decision 167 is an topic during his visit to Vietnam in May 2016. impacted provinces continued on a smaller state. Environmental activism in Vietnam official zoning plan (Quy Hoach) for bauxite exploration and mining across The petition received more than 128,000 scale into 2018. With more heavy-handed demonstrates that social inclusion needs to be the country, in two phases – from signatures in just a few days. measures to suppress protesters, the state recognized in environmental decision-making, 2007 to 2015 and from 2016 to 2025. After weeks of silence from the govern- arrested and jailed many key activists for aka environmental citizenship, which should (Governmental Portal, 2007) ment, on 27 April, Vice Minister of Resources their online ‘subversive’ discussions and social be considered as the practice of basic rights 4 The charismatic military commander who and Environment announced to the public mobilization. Among the many arrested was of citizens. Environmental justice movements led North Vietnam forces to victory against that a toxic algae bloom could have been the famous environmentalist blogger Nguyen – from cyberspace to the streets – showcase the French Army, accelerating the end of responsible, with a final result pending as a Ngoc Nhu Quynh (known as Blogger Mother an emerging environmental citizenship from a French colonial rule in Indochina. joint investigation by relevant state agencies Mushroom).12 She was very passionate about critical citizenship. Such citizenship has not yet 5 According to Jason Morris, these wide- and ministries were underway. The Communist this issue, and contributed substantially been recognized in Vietnam’s environmental ranging critiques started with discussions on social and environmental impacts administration was criticized on social media to the online critical discussions. politics, but it is now reshaping state-society of the project, then quickly became – such as Facebook and YouTube – for its slow Despite much stricter censorship and relations, in which environmental governance “embroiled with such divisive issues as response. Environmentalist Facebookers shared clampdowns, activism still continued in 2019, needs more civic engagement. national security, Sino-Viet relations their speculations that the government was with online analyses of the aftermath of the Environmental activism in Vietnam offers and, not least of all, the relations of the biased towards the steel plant, that it had incident that can be found on many activists’ profound implications for the role of social communist party to the Vietnamese supported it with favorable tax agreements Facebook pages. Most recently, on 16 March media in broadening the scope of civil society, people”; see Morris, J. 2013. ‘The and charged a bargain price for the real 2019, ‘Don't be afraid’, a documentary film facilitating civic engagement in environmental Vietnamese Bauxite Mining Controversy: estate where the company had built its about civic movement for environmental and politics and generating critical discourses the Emergence of a New Oppositional plant. On Facebook, thousands of people ecological justice after the ‘fish death’, was of environmental and ecological justice to Politics’, PhD Thesis, UC Berkeley, p.1; accused the company of irresponsible and released in Ha Noi. Despite a lot of opposition, the masses. Online activism expands the https://escholarship.org/uc/item/3jz331gj 6 www.boxitvn.net; accessed 5 March 2020 unsustainable business practices. the documentary was successfully completed reach of attitudes and actions that engender 7 Bui, H.T. 2013. ‘The development of civil 13 Online activism led to thousands protesting by Green Trees Group. Upon its release, the environmental citizenship. Through social society and dynamics of governance in on two consecutive Sundays (1 and 8 May Ministry of Public Security arrested Cao Vinh media, environmental issues in Vietnam have Vietnam's one-party rule’, Global Change, 2016) in major cities, with the most crowded Thinh, a key person involved in the production been turned into justice issues, which are Peace & Security 25(1):77-93. protest groups in Ha Noi at the Opera House, of the docmentary. Hoang Binh, an important “socially constructed claims defined through 8 Vietnam Insider, https://tinyurl.com/VI- in the ‘30 April’ Park in Ho Chi Minh City, and environmental activist of the group, was collective processes”.14 Social media has cablecar; accessed 5 March 2020. the affected areas of Ha Tinh province. In the sentenced to 14 years in jail. The documentary strengthened the agency and capability 9 Le Nguyen Thien Huong has worked coastal cities of Vung Tau, Da Nang, and Nha was publicly screened in April in many of of social groups in their responses to social in education in various capacities, Trang, protesters gathered in groups of a few Ha Tinh’s churches. It has been speculated inequalities in association with environmental and is currently a full-time admissions officer at Vietnam’s Fulbright University, hundred. Protesters in all locations carried that anti-government groups from overseas hazards. A closer look at how environmental while dedicating her free time to the the same placards that read ‘I love fish’, and – rather than environmental and ecological citizenship manifests itself, both online and #SaveSonDoong campaign. Forbes ‘Fish die today, we die tomorrow’, calling for justice groups – allied with the grassroots in the streets in the socio-political context of Vietnam’s 30 Under 30 honored her Taiwanese investors to leave Vietnam. Other movement to mobilize protests. At times Vietnam, provides more empirical insights to in its 2018 list for her efforts in nature banners and signs read, ‘please return a clean the movement might have carried with it help answer questions such as: “What could, conservation. In addition, she gave sea to us’, ‘stop discharging toxic waste into other implications, blending environmental should, and does an environmental citizen a TEDx talk in Ha Noi on 2 June 2018; the sea’ and most popularly ‘Fish need clean activism with political motives by some look like?”, “To what extent can contemporary https://tinyurl.com/tedx-savesondoong. water, citizens need transparency’. All the protesters whose linkages and identities are environmental concerns be aligned with 10 https://tinyurl.com/sondoongvideo demonstrations were peaceful. Regretfully, complex and difficult to identify. However, citizen rights and duties across a range of 11 As reported in The New York Times, 8 June those two first protests were suppressed by the common thread throughout the years of political and socio-cultural contexts?”, 2016, https://tinyurl.com/NYT-toxicfish; accessed 10 March 2020. the state, with crowds forced to disperse after protests has been rational people practicing “Is it possible and/or desirable to encourage 12 Mother Mushroom’s environmental hours of marching along major streets of the their environmental citizenship in a quest for en masse enactments of particular attitudes and political activism earned her an cities and some key activists were arrested and environmental and ecological justice. and practices that could be labeled as acts International Women of Courage Award taken into custody. People had also reported of environmental citizenship?”, “What sorts of from US First Lady Melania Trump in March that key words such as ‘ca chet’ [dead fish], environmental citizens are being ‘worked up’, 2017. She was released on 17 October 2018 ‘Formosa’, and ‘bieu tinh’ [protest] were being Conclusion through what means, and to what ends?”15 to fly to the United States. blocked in their messages by mobile phone Over the last decade, environmental and “What are the possibilities and limitations 13 ‘Green Trees’ is a non-profit civil society service providers. On 15 May 2016, the third activism – as an arena of contestation in of environmental citizenship in the pursuit of environmental protection organization in Sunday of the nation-wide protests, the Vietnam’s state-society relations – has environmental and ecological justice?” Vietnam. Its predecessor was a Facebook group called Vi Mot Ha Noi Xanh [For a challenged the state’s legitimacy by opening The above-mentioned examples of police (in uniforms and plainclothes), with Green Hanoi], founded on 30 March more preventative measures and large-scale up a new paradigm of ecological sustainability environmental movements have intensified 2015, to protect trees in Hanoi from being deployments, were quick to stop the crowds. and equitable development. New narratives of the political culture of opposition and felled massively as part of the project Over three challenging Sundays of May, more society and nature amidst development and criticism. In an authoritarian context where to ‘overhaul and replace 6,700 urban than 500 people were arrested, and multiple ecological degradation have led to greater people in power and economic groups trees’ implemented by city authorities; protesters were beaten by the police.11 demand for more representation of the people dominate environmental decisions to the https://en.greentreesvn.org On 29 June 2016, at the office of the in environmental politics. Environmental exclusion of people’s involvement and at the 14 Taylor, D.E. 2000. ‘The Rise of the Ministry of Resources and Environment, activism for environmental commons in expense of the environment, environmental Environmental Justice Paradigm: Injustice representatives of the company officially Vietnam has been extended beyond the activism carries democratic meanings at Framing and the Social Construction took responsibility and apologized to scope of environmental justice for humans its core. At times, environmental activism of Environmental Discourses’, American Behavioral Scientist 43(4):509. the Vietnamese people for causing the to include non-human environments, where faces heavy-handed suppression. With the 15 With reference to Luque, E. 2005. environmental disaster, pledging US$500m ecological and social spheres are intertwined. cyber-security law effective as of 1 January ‘Researching environmental citizenship for a cleanup and compensation, including In other words, such activism corresponds 2019, environmental activism in Vietnam and its publics’, Environmental Politics assistance for fishermen. Local people to the rights of humans and nature, in which will continue to encounter censorship and 14(2):211–225; and Hobson, K. 2013. ‘On expressed their dissatisfaction with the ecological degradation goes hand-in-hand suppression, especially when translated the making of the environmental citizen’, inadequate amount of compensation and with social destruction. Environmental into street protests. The pathway of Environmental Politics 22(1):56-72. 34 Environmental issues, social activism The Focus and policy challenges

Images: Participants of the Recycle Fashion Carnival, with outfits made from recycled materials (Bantul, 2018). All photos by Judith Schlehe. transfer the responsibility to the, allegedly, ‘uneducated’ people, are not effective. Western recycling practices, propagated as modernising projects and means of development, do not concern them. Even though environmental and waste-related education has recently become integrated in school and pre-school curricula, and even though public institutions such as universities prohibit (for instance) plastic bottles for drinking water, these efforts have yet to significantly affect public indifference. The Javanese continue to buy ‘modern’ or ‘practical’ things that are made of or wrapped in plastic, without caring about their disposal. As such, the dissemination of information on the detrimental effects of waste will not necessarily generate a less consumptive lifestyle. Considering waste is a problem that accompanies consumer capitalism and economic growth, this study finds that neither an environmentalist nor a rationalist approach is very helpful if one tries to understand waste behaviour and attitudes in Java. Moral and social dimensions are much more important. The Javanese people wish to protect their social reputations and many decades of government programmes have linked personal and social hygiene. Place-based approaches are thus necessary to mobilise citizens to think about and act on waste solutions in their communities.

Moral reasoning and communal initiatives This moral orientation towards the social environment is also a strong driving force when it comes to communal initiatives that strive to implement greater public engagement Waste and social in waste management, for instance sorting. Many kampung [villages] have weekly community service clean-ups [kerja bakti] that are propagated by the government as part of the traditional system of non-monetary mobilisation mutual assistance [gotong royong]. At times, the government, working together with private and civil society actors as well as religious Anthropological explorations beyond Asia and Europe communities, has also sponsored collaborative initiatives that reach beyond the kampung level. This matches with Tsing’s observation that environmentalism often generates Judith Schlehe Waste, especially plastic and toxic waste, is a man-made disaster rooted unexpected social collaborations that bring different political cultures together.3 However, in the historical relations between humans, materials, and environments. our impression also corresponds clearly with The global waste trade is a multi-billion-dollar industry in which Western a study by Tanu and Parker in Surabaya,4 which found that students join environmentalist countries relocate their waste to the Global South, turning the land, oceans, activities not so much due to their and atmosphere into dumping grounds. This waste problem challenges the environmental awareness but because of the fun of socialising and doing things together. notions of growth, modernisation, and human-nonhuman relations. There As there is a need for locally owned and is a need for global solutions that overcome binary frames of representation community-driven solutions, a noteworthy initiative in dealing with waste is the bank such as ‘Asia’ and ‘Europe’. An inclusive approach, as well as engagement in sampah [waste/garbage bank], a community mutual transformations, requires increased global environmental awareness bank system. It began in 2008 and was developed to address the crisis of waste and transregional collaboration. However, awareness does not automatically produced by local communities in Yogyakarta. translate into action. Furthermore, emerging global environmental regimes Sorted garbage (papers, plastics, metal, and in some banks also glass, cooking oil, and wet, tend to ignore local diversities in waste practices, related worldviews, and compostable garbage) is deposited at certain ways in which people are mobilised to think about and act on waste solutions. collection points, it is then weighed, and a credit is subsequently recorded. This system Waste is always embedded in social, gendered, and political asymmetries relies on locals sorting their garbage and and economic contestation. Furthermore, it is tied to peculiar moral ‘banking’ it. Once a year, often before Idul Fitri, the celebratory feast at the end of the sensibilities. Differences in context, thought, and practice, as well as in fasting month (when people need money), socio-environmental relations and frictions, should thus be acknowledged the recorded credit is paid out.5 The money comes from the sale of waste, sold by the as bases of mobilisation and collaboration. bank sampah to entrepreneurs [pengepul] who take it to big factories. After all, the waste trade is good business and many people can n order to illustrate such differences, countries. This may change the hitherto Yogyakarta, Bantul, and Gunung Kidul make a living from it. I will present an example of locally specific widespread public, scholarly and media about the effects of their habits and Bank sampah are usually managed by Iwaste-related social mobilisation. The discourse in Indonesia, which focusses on the the fact that environmental degradation is local activists, and practical work is most central question here is: what are the main ‘bad’ behaviour of the Indonesian people. For rapidly increasing in Indonesia, or when we often performed by female volunteers. driving forces for bottom-up, communal example, one 2015 study identified Indonesia mentioned the immediate danger of toxic Stressing the economic advantage of waste recycling initiatives in rural and urban Java? as the second-largest contributor to plastic fumes from burning plastic, the usual answer separation, the bank sampah system has also This study is based on field research in Java waste in the oceans (after China).2 Indonesians was “tidak apa-apa” [it doesn’t matter], been adopted by religious organisations, by in 2017 and 2018, partly conducted together have been blasted for improperly discarding “there is still enough land”, or “it is just Unilever and Shell Indonesia as a means of with my colleague Vissia Ita Yulianto.1 their garbage, yet burning waste, burying it in practical to burn the rubbish”. Some people demonstrating ‘corporate social responsibility’ underground, and dumping it into rivers that blamed the government for not providing better (critics would rather say ‘greenwashing’), carry it to the sea, are behaviours that really facilities or complained that they would have and by the Indonesian government as the Rationalist approaches only became problematic after the introduction to pay a small fee for public garbage disposal. currently best way of dealing with waste. Recently, the Indonesian media has of new, non-degradable materials. Packaging, A majority of Javanese perceived other By November 2017, there were more than regularly reported on the government's efforts clothing, furniture, toys, and many more everyday problems to be more important. 5,000 bank sampah in Indonesia. The to return containers of toxic waste and trash everyday items that are readily discarded once As with other external projects that are chairman of a middle-sized bank sampah to their countries of origin, including the they are no longer needed, are now made of often based on education, information-based explained that people are mainly motivated United States, Australia, and several European or contain plastic. When we talked to people in arguments that rely on numbers, and which to take their waste to the bank not for The Newsletter No. 86 Summer 2020 Environmental issues, social activism 35 and policy challenges The Focus

environmental reasons, but for economic who were not socially integrated and thus gains and social factors. These programmes regarded as suspicious. are connected to the gotong royong system, Some banks also conduct clean-up or other which strengthens social solidarity, binds waste-related events, for which they receive people together, and regulates the common external financial support not only from the social life. An abstract notion of nature government agencies (such as the offices for [alam] is not an issue, he says. Obviously, environmental services), but also sponsors such people manage waste when it is in their as Unilever.6 A few bank sampah have grown social interest to do so. to a relatively professional level. Interestingly, At the same time, it should be acknowledged owing to different political attitudes, this has that in many parts of Indonesia there is a led to conflict at times: some activists consider severe lack of public waste infrastructure. In it acceptable to receive money from industrial spite of the Zero Waste rhetoric that promotes sources so long as this money is used for good a sustainable, resource efficient circular purposes, whereas others associate economy, and despite the government having this practice with corruption. incorporated waste disposal into its national climate change strategy, implementation is still lacking. The government does not A carnival for recycling provide sufficient and appropriate facilities In March 2018, we were able to witness an for household waste, let alone solid waste and outstanding event in the small town of Bantul sewage from mines, factories, and agricultural (the capital of Bantul Regency), namely the industries, as well as other hazardous and toxic first ‘Recycle Fashion Carnival’. Financially substances such as medical and electronic supported by an electricity company, several waste. It could thus be asked whether the bank sampah, the Office of Environmental main responsibility for waste organisation Affairs, and many local schools collaborated or, even better, zero-waste consumption is on this one-day event. Around 500 people the individual, a household, a kampung, paraded through the streets displaying a city, a sector of production or a country. colourful, richly decorated costumes made Nonetheless, the bottom-up communal from trash: plastic bags were sewn together to This event was joyful, full of humour, solving at the neighbourhood level – including initiatives that are the focus of this article make beautiful dresses, packaging materials surprise, and admiration for the various ‘grassroots’ groups, bottom-up initiatives (and the related moral reasoning) are crucial were used to create jackets, water bottles were costumes and creations. There were no heavy such as community-based ‘waste banks’, for changing everyday perceptions. transformed into skirts, and drinking straws moralistic lessons or rationalised threats, but communal ‘clean-ups’ and ‘recycle fashion’ Interestingly, once again, the social were put together to become the wings of birds rather inspiring pleas for joint efforts and a street carnivals that address various social, embeddedness of the bank sampah is crucial and angels. Each group displayed its own spirit of communal engagement. The carnival economic, and emotional aspects – reflect for their efficiency. I observed cases where creative style, with some combining fantastic communicated with a new visual language by the mobilisation of the local social and volunteers lost their enthusiasm after a while costumes with Islamic headscarves and translating indifferences about waste into the moral world. These initiatives and events and the bank had to close down. The most others imitating sexy pop-culture celebrities. language of art activism and positive forces. bring different social groups together in sustainable are those that are closely tied References to a shared image of the global Strategic, aesthetic, and social goals were joint practices and joyful performances, and to the established communal structures, environmental movement (‘Save the water’) combined, and the passion of the initiators they combine discursive empowerment and such as arisan (a saving, credit, and lottery and mass-mediated popular culture were and actors came to the forefront even beyond performative enactment. scheme in Indonesian communities), PKK mixed with references to local mythology. the embodied and sensory experiences.7 If we wish to both understand and (the Family Welfare Empowerment Movement), A final performance in the public square was This case corresponds with the aspect actively respond to environmental and and Islamic prayer groups. However, I also accompanied by music and slogans that that was emphasised by the most of our waste-related problems in transregional found cases where bank sampah were not pushed spectators to become active in and interlocutors: as we have already seen in the collaboration, the most important thing is to well received by the local community, such committed to the struggle against waste, and case of bank sampah, the main motivation think through the differences in thoughts and as where they had been founded by activists to work together for a clean environment. to sort waste and properly dispose of it is not practices. Waste is always tied to morally the fear that ‘nature’ could be destroyed, the complex, peculiar situations and sensibilities. natural environment could become polluted The much-needed reduction of waste can only or food and water might become toxic. It is be achieved once we engage in both mutual gotong royong, the idea of joint efforts within understanding and in transformative ways of the immediate community. In short, the world-making. Social mobilisation, with the main driving force for bottom-up, communal goal to change consumer-conscience, can recycle initiatives in rural and urban Java is take many paths. However, we must remember the social environment. Therefore, one should that neither morally responsible individuals not expect that the described communal nor social collectives can resolve waste initiatives will have an immediate effect on problems so long as the industry continues consumption and waste habits. Indeed, it can to produce detrimental materials, and so sometimes be observed that participants in long as the waste is an economic category clean-ups or similar events use small plastic of global significance. cups for drinking water and do not care at all about disposal. Nevertheless, new ideas Judith Schlehe, Professor of are introduced and everyday perceptions sociocultural anthropology, University are challenged due to the overwhelming of Freiburg. She has published widely visibility of the rubbish at certain places, on the topics of religious dynamics, cultural politics, globalisation and the fear of disease, the worry that visitors and transcultural issues, gender, the tourists might dislike it, the general perception anthropology of disaster, and new of cleanliness and, most importantly, the transnational collaborative and reciprocal increasing social and moral emphasis on research methods. Her main expertise proper waste disposal. is on Indonesia and Southeast Asia All in all, the current initiatives remind us [email protected] that waste is not just producing and reflecting the social and symbolic order—as we learned from Mary Douglas, who suggested that the classification of things as waste reflects the Notes structuring capacities of cultures. There is also a potential for change. Civic movements can 1 Schlehe, J. & Yulianto, V.I. 2020. ‘An bring disparate social groups together in joint anthropology of waste. Morality and practical activities and, step by step, reorient social mobilisation in Java’, Indonesia and people towards improved awareness and care. the Malay World 140:40-59. 2 Jambeck, J.R. et al. 2015. ‘Plastic waste inputs from land into the ocean’, Science Conclusion 347(6223):768-771. No matter if a global political ecology 3 Lowenhaupt Tsing, A. 2005. Friction: subscribes to the notions of Anthropocene, an ethnography of global connection. Capitalocene, or Plasticene (referring Princeton University Press, p.228. 4 Tanu, D. & Parker, L. 2018. ‘Fun, “family” to interactions of micro plastic debris and friends: developing pro-environmental throughout the ecosystem), there is no doubt behaviour among high school students in that waste and pollution affect all humans Indonesia’, Indonesia and the Malay World and non-humans alike. While globalised 46(136):303-324. environmentalist discourses emphasise a 5 Another option is to donate the credit, new feeling of entanglement with nature as which can then be used for social and a tentative path to transforming the waste humanitarian activities. problem, our fieldwork among both urban 6 Ziadatun Ni’mah, N. & Keller-Bischoff, and rural citizens in Java revealed that an L. 2020. ‘Java’s waste banks’, Inside Indonesia 139. abstract notion of – or relation to – nature 7 Nilan, P. 2017. ‘The ecological habitus is not considered crucial by most actors. of Indonesian student environmentalism’, At the same time, rationalist arguments do Environmental Sociology 3(4):370-380. not impress the majority of people either. 8 Douglas, M. 1966. Purity and danger. Individuals are more immediately affected by An analysis of concepts of pollution and their social environment. Collective problem taboo. Routledge & Kegan Paul. 36 Environmental issues, social activism The Focus and policy challenges

Above: Ger District Panorama. Image courtesy of Anthony Knuppel on Flickr. Reproduced under The Green Ger a Creative Commons license. Village Master Plan University cooperation and achieving the SDGs

Patricia Chica-Morales In Mongolia, climate change has resulted in infrequent rains, desertification of the steppes, and Antonio J. Domenech and degradation of the forests, which is in turn creating a lack of access to food and other resources for Mongolia’s nomad society. In the face of these hardships, during the 1990s, nomads started to migrate from the countryside to urban areas and to install, without any government planning, their traditional ger (yurts) in the areas surrounding the main cities. One of these cities was Darkhan, located in northern Mongolia. The lack of urban planning and social infrastructure in the ger districts has caused a slew of public health and environmental problems. In this context, an International Cooperation for Development alliance emerged uman activities and climate change between the University of Malaga (Spain), Incheon National University (South Korea) and the are having negative impacts on the Mongolian University of Life Sciences (Mongolia) in order to provide solutions for the public Hlives of people all over the world, and so it is essential for policies and actions health problems in Darkhan city. The following article aims to highlight the synergies that to move us towards a more sustainable development. Responses in search of new flourish when working through university partnerships in development cooperation projects, global solutions include the Agenda 2030 and as an alternative to individual and traditional solutions. the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) promoted by the United Nations. The Agenda 2030 and the SDGs were built on the previous experiences with the Millennium Development UMA and INU act as cultural and institutional The project in Colombia was developed in the conflict and the later creation of a short Goals and address, in a multi-dimensional facilitators to support and encourage new Bogota through the close relationship between documentary piece. The project in Mongolia way, a set of goals and targets that promote projects (http://uma.es/oficinapuentecorea). UMA and the National University of Colombia was developed through the close relationship the eradication of social and economic In such a favorable context, the opportunity as part of the Ibero-American Network of of INU with the Mongolian University of Life inequality, the effects of climate change, and arises to link the experiences and influences Korean Studies. The objectives of the project Sciences. The objectives, context and work of environmentally sustainable development. of Spain and Korea, represented by the UMA were “to give voice and space to all parts of the the project are detailed in the following section. The Agenda 2030 proposes an international and the INU respectively, in line with the armed conflict in Colombia to build memory commitment by all countries from the South Sustainable Development Goals with the aim of and, consequently, to build ties that help to the North, from the East to the West. providing new global and integrating solutions achieve peace in the country”. In general, the South Korean international Universities play an important role as to economic inequality, and environmental project consisted of interviews with victims of driving agents and integrators of SDGs, and and social problems. UMA cooperation in Mongolia their involvement in the implementation of has extensive experience One of the main agents of the SDGs is the Agenda 2030 is crucial in coping with in technical cooperation Official Development Assistance (ODA). ODA the problems of today's world. The University and institutional relations is defined as the allocation of resources from of Málaga (UMA) in Spain, and the Incheon with Latin America, while official organizations (both multi or bilateral) National University (INU) in South Korea, are INU has an established to developing countries in order to facilitate responding to the needs of the globalized network of universities and and promote sustainable economic and social reality through a twinning alliance, whereby projects around the Asian progress. The members of the Development both universities have representative offices continent. In this framework Association Committee of the Organization at the other partner university. Collaboration both universities agreed for Economic Co-operation and Development is promoted in the academic and research in 2018 to launch a joint (OECD-DAC) sets out broad lines and fields, but also in the field of cultural and international cooperation objectives to ensure that aid is implemented in institutional exchange and promotion for a program based on the a transparent and efficient way to maximize better understanding between Spain and experiences and resources the priorities of the developing countries. Korea. The project that has been ongoing for of both. Specifically, An interesting case of an ODA donor the past 10 years was consolidated with an two triangular university country is South Korea; it is a successful alliance that works as a whole despite the development cooperation example of a former recipient country that distance between the countries. The alliance projects were designed and is nowadays one of the big donors of ODA. works as a single platform, based on the bonds implemented in Colombia After the Korean civil war and the division into of trust between the networks of each party. and Mongolia. Ger in urban area. Photo by Antonio J. Domenech. North and South Korea in 1953, the South The Newsletter No. 86 Summer 2020 Environmental issues, social activism 37 and policy challenges The Focus

Korean government received a big volume of ODA resources from the United States and Japan. South Korea is in fact considered to be the country that has benefited most from international aid.1 The government allocated the received ODA to economic and social infrastructures, transforming the agriculture- based economy into a technology-intensive production economy. Nowadays South Korea is the 13th economic power in the world and plays a crucial role in Asian politics. It enjoys a strategic geopolitical situation that, together with its diplomatic connections, allows it to have strong partners in both Asia and the United States. Korea has been part of the OECD-DAC since 2010, bringing new points of view to the cooperation arena and providing a regeneration of the traditional donors of ODA. Knowing both sides of development, South Korea created its own ODA strategy largely based on its own experience as recipient.2 One of South Korea’s main tools for carrying out international cooperation is the Korea Official International Cooperation Left: Herders in Agency (KOICA). KOICA works on strategic Mongolia cultivating fodder or animal feed areas of aid defined in the Mid-Term Strategy that is more resilient for Development Cooperation 2016-2020: to extreme weather Education, Health, Governance, Agriculture changes, using plants that adapt to droughts. and Rural Development, Water, Energy, Image courtesy of Asian Transportation, Science, Technology and Development Bank on Innovation, Climate Change and Environment, Flickr. Reproduced under and Gender Equality. South Korea’s ODA a Creative Commons license. network is made up of a group of offices represented in 45 countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, through which projects are carried out in the fields of education, water, and there are only 33 water kiosks In the first stage of the project, in 2017, Green Ger Village Master Plan through system health, infrastructure or production, among in the whole of Darkhan city. Moreover, the delegations from INU and MULS conducted dynamics. The results of these investigations others. KOICA’s offices also have an important increase of mining activities uncontrollably local fieldwork. They interviewed the local are expected to be fully incorporated into the presence in their own country through offices pollute their main water source, the Kharaa population to explore the perceptions of their Green Ger Village Master Plan. opened in some Korean universities with the river. The districts also lack any form of environmental and social situation and to In conclusion, we state that the aim of integrating cooperation policies into sewage and waste management. With the define their socioeconomic needs. In the next implementation of the Green Ger Village society through education and research. absence of official landfills and scarce stage of the project, in 2017 and 2018, the Master Plan will be successful thanks to South Korea formulated a Country garbage collection, waste accumulates in the three university partners worked together the synergy created by the three partner Partnership Strategy (CPS) agreement streets and leaks into the ground causing soil in the following ways: universities and the national and local parties. with the clear objective of improving the and water deterioration. Direct effects are - repair the district roads called ‘model Guided by the SGDs, the improvement effectiveness of Official Development disease, a meager agricultural output, and poor streets’ under the Public Participation of public health in ger districts will bring Assistance in Mongolia. The CPS is a direct hygiene. Inadequate public transport, roads, Program, which will be reproduced in enormous benefits to the local population. and bilateral agreement with a country power supply, schools and health centers the future in other areas of the district; Finally, we conclude that the creation reviewed every 3-5 years that includes are significant factors that have led to a - c ontinue fieldwork/interviews with of such collaborative projects contributes to “volume of ODA, priority areas, medium- marginalized population on the city’s fringes. regard to local perceptions of the the construction of a critical, participatory, term allocation plans and implementation environmental and social situation; and caring citizenship, while promoting strategies based on Korea's ODA strategy - provide support to the urban landscape cultural exchange and research between and national development plans”.3 The Green Ger Village management; students and lecturers from different regions. CPS between Mongolia and Korea includes - professional training courses about the development of the following areas: Master Plan the environment, provided by UMA-INU Patricia Chica-Morales, improving vocational training programs In view of the problems of Darkhan city, the professors; PhD student, Economics and Business and higher education environment, local government together with the Mongolian - conduct research into energy alternatives Program, University of Malaga strengthening capacity to prevent diseases, University of Life Sciences (MULS) contacted and solutions for the lack of basic public [email protected] increasing access to water and sanitation the KOICA Office at Incheon National University services. Antonio J. Domenech, facilities, improving the system of electronic (INU) in 2016, with the aim of finding sustainable Professor East Asian Studies-Korean government, developing the capacity for and lasting ways to improve the quality of its Studies, Universidad de Málaga the management of logistics, and transport citizens’ lives. After two years of research, MULS Results from the [email protected] infrastructure. Specifically, the CPS refers and INU signed an agreement to create a ‘Green The authors appreciate the support and to the “need to increase access to improved Ger Village’. The University of Malaga (UMA) collaboration information shared by Incheon National sources of water and sanitation services […] joined the project in 2018, thereby creating a Although the Green Ger Village Master University IC-IDCC Office and the especially in the ger district”.4 multilateral project with the aim of creating Plan is at a very early stage, we can draw Mongolian University of Life Sciences. synergies that contribute to a better design and some conclusions and results from the establishment of the project. The project is led collaboration. Firstly, the joint participation Environmental and health by MULS and INU and funded mainly by KOICA, of UMA, INU and MULS has established an problems in Darkhan ger but also a variety of local, regional, national, institutional relationship through the signing and international actors cooperate. of a MoU agreement for the exchange of Notes districts The objective is to create a sustainable ger professors and students between the parties. The deterioration of the environment district in Darkhan, with an improved public Volunteers and professors from UMA an INU 1 Lim, E.M. 2015. ‘Evolution of Korea in Darkhan, as in the rest of the country, health of the local population. Specifically, participated in three different periods of ODA Policy’, Vestnik RUDN International is caused by climate change and human the project will be carried out over 20 years fieldwork between 2017 and 2018. Relations 1(1):15-23; Choi, J.W. 2010. ‘From a Recipient To a Donor State: activities. Rainfall shortages, desertification through two main actions: the creation of a Also, there has been joint participation Achievements and Challenges of Korea’s and extreme cold are causing difficulties sustainable ‘Green Ger Village Master Plan’ at international congresses and conferences Oda’, International Review of Public 5 for food crops and livestock activities. and the creation of an ‘Action for Climate held at MULS, UMA and INU, with researchers Administration 15(3):37-51, https://doi.org/ Unsustainable human activities such as Change and Environment’ research center. from the participating universities and 10.1080/12294659.2011.10805178. mining, herding, and building around the city The project pursues the following SDGs: SDG external researchers. The Erasmus+ Inter- 2 Kim, E.M. & Lee, J.E. 2013. ‘Busan and river basin, have provoked serious problems 3-Good health and well-being, SDG 6-Clean national Credit Mobility (KA107) granted Beyond: South Korea and the Transition for the water, soil and air of Darkhan.6 water and sanitation, SDG 7-Affordable and a series of scholarships within the framework from Aid Effectiveness to Development UNICEF reported in 2017 that Mongolia is clean energy, SDG 11-Sustainable cities and of the Plan, with which three students from Effectiveness’,Journal of International suffering an air pollution crisis. Most of that communities, SDG-13 Climate action, and MULS studied at UMA during the academic Development 25:787-801, pollution is caused by the carbon monoxide SDG 17-Partnerships for the goals. The first year 2019-2020, and two students from https://doi.org/10.1002/jid.2938. 3 From the OECD website, and microparticles from the mining industry, point of action includes the promotion of UMA studied at MULS during the same https://tinyurl.com/OECD-ODA-defcov. home heating methods (burning of low-quality public services and facilities such as sewage, period. Additionally, two professors from 4 From the Government of Korea’s website, coal and other waste), and traffic. Air quality sanitation, power lines, and paving of roads as each university carried out teaching missions https://tinyurl.com/CPS-Korea-Mongolia. worsens when winter arrives due to increased well as the use of renewable energy sources. and short research stays at the partner 5 Campi, A. 2006. ‘The Rise of Cities in fuel consumption. Although Darkhan’s The project counts on the close collaboration universities. Lastly, two doctoral theses are Nomadic Mongolia’, in Bruun, O. & Li, N. population of 105,000 is much lower than the of the ger district families who participate being carried out within the framework of the (eds) Mongols from Country to Cities. capital’s (1.5 million), the levels of outdoor air in the construction of components of the project, planned for completion by the end of Floating Boundaries, Pastoralism and pollution are nevertheless worrying and cause plan. They do so through the NGO Citizens’ 2020. The first one is being written by a MULS City Life in the Mongol Land. NIAS Press, a vast number of respiratory diseases. These Initiative – Development Driver. The research research professor who is conducting her pp.21-55. 6 Sigel, K. 2010. ‘Environmental sanitation problems are amplified in the unplanned ger center for Climate Change and Environment doctoral thesis at Incheon National University in peri-urban ger areas in the city of districts that surround the city. is to be designed by the three partner in the field of public participation and waste Darkhan (Mongolia): A description of Major problems affecting the ger districts universities. This center has a clear objective management of the Green Ger Village Master current status, practices, and perceptions’, include the lack of health, social, and of training and research in environmental Plan. The second thesis is by a researcher UFZ-Bericht 2/2010, Helmholtz-Centre communication infrastructures. Ger do not issues and sustainability, but will also serve as from the University of Málaga on the decision- for Environmental Research, have direct access to running and drinkable a meeting place for citizen participation. making process and its application to the https://tinyurl.com/UFZ-Ger-Sanitation. 38 Environmental issues, social activism The Focus and policy challenges

Environmental challenges of international migration

in East Asia International migration has become one of the major trends that shape the highly urbanizing societies of East Asia, and in a broader sense Southeast Asia. Groups are drawn towards the newly established cities in these regions. Aysun Uyar Makibayashi Environmental change has also been one of the signifying elements on the global agenda. Even though the impact of international migration is already a usual suspect when it comes to environmental change, the cause and effect relationship is yet to be analyzed from a multidisciplinary perspective.

Environmental challenges and migration in East Asia Although migration has many forms and definitions, natural disasters and other environmental changes have increasingly become some of the main motivators. The initial reason for the movement of people might be any sort of environmental change, but this movement leads to the securitization of environmental change issues with emerging environmental problems in the host countries as a result of the increasing number of residents. This process occurs similarly with internal migration, whereby the environment in particular areas of a country experience the direct effects of migration. The impact of migration on the environment leads to Fig. 1: Earthquake-stricken coast in Otsuchi Town, Iwate Prefecture, Japan (Photo taken by the author, 25 June 2011). developments in the governance of migration, and the securitization of environmental changes. When we look at the mention of ‘environment’ s part of the panel sessions presented and pull factors, flows of emigration and as legal/regular vs. irregular/illegal/ in migration history and literature, throughout at ICAS 11 on ‘Environmental Issues, immigration, difficulties in defining categories, undocumented, permanent vs. temporary/ the 20th century, primarily political-economic ASocial Activism and Policy Challenges’, and various dimensions while settling the seasonal, or voluntary vs. forced migration. push and pull factors were at the core of this study looks at the multiple dimensions migrant groups in their host countries, and Migrants and refugees should also be the migration discourse. During the 1990s, of the causal relationship between migration potential outcomes in the host countries. approached differently as their push and pull the growing global environmental crisis was and environmental change (environmental This study aims to combine and present factors are entirely dissimilar. Governance mostly considered to be a humanitarian change can be the reason for migration, but the causal relationship among all these policies within and between the host and disaster by media, politicians, and NGOs; it can also be caused by migration); the study segments of the whole migration process, home countries depend on whether these the academic circles started to include it aims to link the ‘environmental issues’ and in a comprehensive framework (table 1). As countries have sufficient economic, political, as one of the side-effects of migration. The ‘policy challenges’ of these panel sessions can be seen in this framework, environmental and sociocultural capacity to send and, more unprecedented, repetitive, and large-scale in order to set a new framework with which change issues are of course involved in the importantly, to welcome migrant groups. natural disasters of the 2000s, as well as drastic to consider the causal relationship between migration process from the very beginning. Most migrants experience a force to leave environmental changes throughout the world, environmental change and migration and The framework starts with an initial separation their home countries due to economic, led ‘environmental concerns’ to be reintroduced how they affect each other during people’s of ‘internal’ and ‘external/international’ political and/or security related issues, into the migration literature.2 The increasing movements from one place to another. One migration by focusing on the main drivers. however, there is a small number of migrant frequency and scale of natural disasters result from this short survey, would be that Environmental degradation, economic communities of high-skilled experts and (both gradual changes to our ecosystems and these two processes, especially in East Asia, necessities and hardships, conflicts/wars, students who leave their home countries sudden devastation of environment) led to the are on the verge of securitization (a situation political/social pressures and identity crisis with none of these concerns, but who use of environmental concerns, frameworks, in which they are pushed out of the arena in the home countries, might be some of the migrate voluntarily for career or educational and solutions as adaptation strategies by of regular politics into becoming a matter reasons for people to leave their original birth aspirations. The duration of migration international organizations, politicians, and of security). Clearly, regional responses for places, both internally and internationally. (short or long-term) also affects the nature, migration and environmental scholars in the sustainable adaptation practices and better Categories and dimensions of migrants documentation, and outcome of migration following years.3 As a result, ‘environmental inclusion of immigrants in host communities could be endless, so too could the outcomes flows. This overview hopefully helps to grasp migrants’ came to be defined by the IOM are needed. of migration in terms of policy or governance, the difficulties faced when drawing an as “persons or groups of persons who, for but this study attempts to cover as many overarching migration framework covering compelling reasons of sudden or progressive facets as possible in the figure. It is crucial legal, economic, political, sociocultural, changes in the environment that adversely Recent dynamics of to differentiate between categories such and environmental phases. affect their lives or living conditions, are obliged international migration According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), 3.4% of the world’s Table 1: Migration (internal and international) population in 2018 (about 258 million people) live outside their country of birth. Internal and External/ Emigration Immigration This percentage rose from about 2.7% in the International drivers Push factors Pull factors Mixing categories Dimensions Outcomes early 2000s. Top destinations (host/receiving - Environmental - Economic reasons - Economy - Legal vs irregular - Men and women - Political countries) have consistently included the USA, degradation - Population rise - Betterment of lifestyles (undocumented) - Old and young - Economic Germany, Russia, Saudi Arabia, UK, and UAE, - Economy - Threat to one's life - Family/relatives - Permanent vs - New and family lineages - Demographic while top origins (home/sending countries) are seasonal/temporary - Conflict/war - Conflict/war - Culture/religion - Home (sending) and - Environmental India, Mexico, Russia, China, Bangladesh and - Voluntary vs forced - Political/social - Environmental - Environment host (receiving) country - Social/cultural the Philippines, in terms of the total number pressure (Human trafficking degradation vs migrant smuggling) - Images of sending and - Legal of people in the migration lane. If we consider - Identity/culture receiving societies - Threat from - Migrant vs refugees - Security internal migration, it is even more striking in government and asylum-seekers terms of environmental change: of the 68.5 - Disasters - D eveloping vs million internally displaced people (due to developed countries conflicts and disasters), 18.8 million in 135 - Immigrants vs global countries were displaced because of sudden migrants (highly skilled environmental disasters (2017 data).1 experts and students) - Short vs long-term stay Migration as a process is complicated Compiled by the author enough as there are many reasons, push The Newsletter No. 86 Summer 2020 Environmental issues, social activism 39 and policy challenges The Focus

to leave their habitual homes, or choose to nuclear meltdown, hydrogen explosions, Report was devoted to the concept of human outcomes. Though there are international do so, either temporarily or permanently, and and radioactive contamination in the security, stating that security should refer migration regimes set by other international who move within their country or abroad”.4 Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant in to the safety of all human beings from the organizations, regional organizations know IOM’s definition garners various aspects Fukushima Prefecture, leading to the loss of threats of hunger, disease, crime, repression, the realities, and especially the sociocultural of the migration framework in table 1. We can 15,000 lives, a further 7,500 people missing, and protection from sudden disruptions dynamics and specifications of their own rewrite this framework from an environmental and 125,000 people displaced and forced of people’s daily lives.11 The seven pillars of regions and sub-regions, and they have better point of view, to produce a more environment- to live in temporary shelters.8 human security include economic, political, means to implement those international oriented migration scheme, as can be seen The impact of these natural disasters on food, health, personal, community, and migration and environmental systems in their in table 2. This table shows how environment- (inter)national migrants in both home and environmental security. Here environmental regions. Indeed, ASEAN is a good example, driven causes of migration can, to start, be host countries ranges from the emergence security means both protecting people in that it has been focusing on the Southeast divided into two big groups: migration as of internally displaced people, increased against the risks of environmental hazards Asian dynamics of migration and working a result of sudden environmental hazards, vulnerability (alienation, sense of being and changes, and also protecting nature hard to establish new and more plausible natural disasters, and industrial accidents forgotten, unplanned shocks for illegal migrant from man-made damages and threats. This regimes to govern migration flows and the (as a result of an environmental event), and groups, or inability to reclaim the bodies two-way understanding of environmental environmental impacts of the movement migration happening as a result of gradual of loved ones), lack of access to assistance security brings us to the recent framework of people. changes within the environmental conditions (since illegal groups are usually invisible to of migration and environmental migration of one’s home country, such as climate governmental and international humanitarian flows. As shown in the above examples, when change, ecosystem degradation, rise of aid schemes), unemployment, loss of assets, lives and livelihoods are threatened by the Conclusion sea-levels, infrastructural changes, and land identity loss, psychological effects, political risks associated with sudden or gradual This short overview looks at the grabbing. The lists are not exhaustive, but show disempowerment, loss of communication with environmental changes, forced migration is a environmental migration processes in East the most common incidences we encounter. relatives in the home countries, and emergence very plausible outcome. When these threats Asia with an attempt to frame the migration Depending on the sudden or gradual character of new refugees.9 Moving into urban areas is are merged with the other pillars of human agenda with a focus on environmental change of the environmental change, all push and pull usually one of the first and foremost reactions security, such as economic or political threats, issues. The recent dynamics of international factors, categories, and dimensions lead by migrant groups, adding more pressure onto then migration becomes even more likely and migration and environmental changes in different directions. The response and urban infrastructure and services. greater in number of people. The migration have a cause and effect relation since the adaptation processes also change from short Gradual changes of environmental process leads to further problems, and environment has become one of the main to mid- and long-term measures. As a result of conditions, or mid/long-term responses and additional threats to human security, leading drivers of (inter)national migration in recent these emerging drivers (both within the same adaptation mechanisms vis-à-vis environmental to the even higher levels of securitization of years. Sudden and gradual environmental country and across borders), migrant groups are changes, have their own set of implications. the environmental migration processes. changes have led to migration at an usually considered within the forced migration Climate change, for example, is one of the East Asia presents a noticeable trend unprecedented scale. The new migration category whereby categorization, legalization, most impactful factors affecting people’s living in international migration (with all its flows lead to the further securitization of and engagement mechanisms in the host standards. The most vulnerable groups are those drivers) while occurrences of environmental environmental change issues and migration communities (in the same country) and societies living in low-lying areas, landslide areas, and changes (both sudden and gradual) have processes, as increased risks of substantial (in receiving countries) become increasingly agrarian areas, as well as coastal communities also increased dramatically in recent environmental changes in the receiving areas difficult. Governance of both migration and and island communities. The effects of climate years. The most visible instance would are very likely. environmental change faces security-related change are seen in coastal areas and low-lying again be in the cities where most migration Governing mechanisms of international questions such as ‘how to cope with sudden areas, food production systems, movement of movements happen, especially in developing migration also lead to further securitization events and gradual changes?’ and ‘How to people towards cities, industry, infrastructure, countries. The sudden or gradual rise of of environmental migration processes since respond and adapt appropriately, both in human health, human security, livelihoods, population poses immediate or mid/long- they necessitate multi-actor and multi-level the immediate as well as the long run?’ and poverty. In fact, poverty and growing term environmental risks for urban dwellers, involvement. Governmental and non- How does East Asia (and in a broader sense urbanization are the main consequences of including migrant communities. Some of the governmental initiatives at the regional level this includes Southeast Asia) play a role in climate change. Environmental (and other) threats to people’s environmental security could be among the more realistic platforms framing the processes of environmental change drivers force people to move to cities in their include increasing carbon emissions and to communicate those migration governance and migration? From a migration studies home countries, or when moving across borders deterioration of air quality in big or mega regimes and environmental change agendas, perspective, Asia receives and sends more migrants tend to settle in urban areas in the cities, water degradation, rise of urban and to recognize as well as put emphasis than 40% of all international migrants and has host country. The urban population has already surface temperature, heatwaves (especially on the environmental aspects, drivers, a majority of the top sending countries.5 From exceeded the rural population in Asia (in 2018), during monsoon seasons and sub-tropical and outcomes of recent migration trends. an environmental viewpoint, Asia experiences and the whole region (especially South and East regions, and it is reality for most of the the highest frequency of natural disasters Asia) has the fastest growth rate of urbanization Southeast Asian countries), waste, lack of Aysun Uyar Makibayashi, (around 150 disasters in 2017) compared to (60% now live in cities); it is expected that more sanitation, and increasing health risks due Associate Professor, Faculty the Americas, Africa, Europe and Oceania.6 than two thirds of the population will live in to mismanagement of all these issues. of Global and Regional Studies, According to the same resource, Asia saw cities by 2050.10 It is clear that unplanned or There are of course steps taken at Doshisha University, Kyoto 37% of all global natural disasters in the years mismanaged urbanization will lead to further both national and international levels. [email protected] 1998-2007, and even 41% during the following environmental and social problems, such as Governments and their agencies, especially decade (2008-2017). The growing occurrence strained urban services (for example, sanitation those of sending and receiving countries, work of environmental disasters is a crucial fact of and health care), poverty, growing urban-rural on migration governance programs through our times. Compared to Asia, in the decade divide, worsening agricultural support for the bilateral agreements, multilateral agreements Notes 2008-2017, the Americas experienced 24%, cities, added discrimination among ethnic together with regional and international Africa 20%, Europe 11%, and Oceania 4%, of the groups or against new settlers such as migrants. organizations, and trans-governmental tracks 1 IOM. 2018. Global Migration Indicators global natural disasters. However, during that by including labor unions, migrant community 2018. Berlin: IOM, https://tinyurl.com/ same time, the percentage of people actually representatives, migration-relation business IOM-GMI-2018; IOM. 2017. World affected by the disasters was about 80% in Asia, Securitization of international groups, and non-governmental initiatives. Migration Report 2018. Geneva: IOM, with only 11% in the Americas and 9% in Africa. environmental migration and In the meantime, there are also international https://tinyurl.com/IOM-WMR-2018; Natural disasters are some of the main potential regional responses initiatives focusing on the establishment https://migrationdataportal.org causes of forced migration, leading environ- of migration regimes between sending and 2 Ionesco, D. et al. 2017. The Atlas of mental refugees to flee to other areas of their The classical understanding of ‘security’ receiving countries, multilateral forums, and Environmental Migration. Routledge and IOM. own country, or even into other countries in was always a state-based one (national regional initiatives. Among these, special 3 Gemenne, F. 2011. ‘Why the numbers search of safety. The main disasters occurring security), thanks to the long-lasting wars attention is paid to regional organizations don’t add up: a review of estimates in East Asia between 2008-2017 were floods of most of the 20th century. The scope of (like ASEAN in the Southeast Asian case), and predictions of people displaced (38%), storms (24%), earthquakes (12%), the concept of security started to change forums, and other inter-governmental, and by environmental changes’, Global epidemics (10%) and extreme temperatures with globalization, societies opening up non-governmental initiatives at the regional Environmental Change 21S:41-49. (3%).7 On 11 March 2011, the Tohoku Earthquake to more inter-state interactions, economic level. The most important reason for this is 4 This definition was taken from a discussion (9.0 magnitude) and the subsequent tsunami cooperation, cultural exchanges, and the that those regional forums already have note of the Ninety-fourth Session of the devastated the eastern prefectures (Tohoku emergence of new non-state actors. experience in dealing with regional economic, IOM Council in Geneva (27-30 November region) of Japan, and even affected areas The concept of ‘human security’ was political, and sociocultural issues and they 2007) and recaptured in IOM. 2014. IOM Outlook on Migration, Environment further away throughout the entire Pacific initially framed by leading UN experts and already have the organizational structures and Climate Change, p.6, region (fig.1). The earthquake and tsunami various UN institutions, as well as their to launch the initiatives for these emerging https://tinyurl.com/IOM-MEC-2014. triggered the man-made disasters of a programs. The UN 1994 Human Development issues of environmental migration and their 5 UN. 2017. International Migration Report 2017. New York: Department of Economic and Social Affairs of the UN Secretariat (ST/ESA/SER.A/404), Table 2: Environmental migration (internal and international) https://tinyurl.com/UN-IMR-2017. 6 IFRC. 2018. World Disasters Report 2018. Geneva: IFRC, https://tinyurl.com/IFRC- Sudden outbreaks Gradual changes Push factors Pull factors Mixing categories Dimensions WDR-2018. 7 Ibid. - Environmental - Climate change - Threat to one's life - Adaptation - Immediate vs gradual - Men and women 8 Data from 20 June 2011. Cabinet hazards - Ecosystem degradation - Conflict - Betterment of lifestyles migration - Old and young Office of the Japanese Government, - Natural disasters - Sea-level rise - Mismanagement - Environment - Irregular vs legal - New and family https://tinyurl.com/bousai-gov-ja. - Industrial accidents - Infrastructure - Population rise - Governmental policies - Temporary lineages 9 Black, R. et al. 2011. ‘The effect of vs permanent environmental change on human - L and grabbing - Ecomonic risks - Security - Home (sending) - Forced vs voluntary and host (receiving) migration’, Global Environmental - Health risks - Environmental refugees country Change 21S:3-11. - Segregation vs migrants - Country and IO 10 UNESCAP. 2017. Urbanization and - Insecurity - Short vs long-term stay regulations sustainable development in Asia and - Images of sending the Pacific: linkages and policy and receiving implications (E/ESCAP/73/16). societies ECOSOC 73rd Session Bangkok, https://tinyurl.com/ECOSOC-73. 11 UN. 1994. Human Development Report. Compiled by the author New York: UN Development Progamme, https://tinyurl.com/UNDP-HDR-1994. 40 News from Australia and the Pacific Regional Editors The Region Rethinking the Philippines: networks Edwin Jurriëns and Andy Fuller and media of empowerment

Rethinking the Philippines

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

Filipino family life at a distance in a digital era

Earvin Charles Cabalquinto

n one of the many bustling spaces of A family life on the move the university, a petite woman, wearing My research focusses on how migrant Icleaning gloves and an earphone, was Filipinos in Melbourne, and their left-behind seen cleaning windows, mopping the floor or family members in the Philippines, use assisting students and university staff in some digital communication technologies to other way. After several encounters in the forge and maintain family life at a distance. building hallway, I eventually met her. She is I have examined my data through a critical Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Manila. Photo by Earvin Charles Cabalquinto. Marie, a 59-year-old cleaner, who was born mediated mobilities lens,2 emphasising in the Philippines, and one of my informants how mobile devise use is engendered and during my research project in Australia on undermined by the intertwining of social Philippines, used Facebook to update her opportunities, free access to public services transnational family life and mobile media. structures and technological infrastructures. overseas husband about the making of a and provision of social welfare programs It is through this approach that I have Jeepney, an iconic public transport in the in the Philippines. Marie moved to Australia in the late 1980s uncovered the emergence of communicative Philippines. Cherry was taking photographs, In conclusion, dispersed Filipino family through a de-facto visa with her Australian benefits and tensions in a transnational uploading them to Facebook, and tagging the members rely heavily on communication husband. She does not have any children and and digital household. husband. It was through such practices that technologies to forge and maintain had a hysterectomy. Whilst living in Australia, Mobile device use has brought positive Cherry and her husband shared this activity. transnational ties. Yet, communication at she has been supporting her six siblings and experiences to members of the transnational However, both intimate connections and a distance also comes with challenges and their families in Cagayan de Oro, Philippines. Filipino family. For instance, Rachelle, negative tensions can be enabled through issues. In this vein, there is a need to further She does this through constant communication, a 28-year-old sales manager in Melbourne, mobile device use. As showcased in a previous re-think the kind of support that should be money transfers on a monthly basis, and and her left-behind siblings in the Philippines, publication,4 Efren, a 38-year-old chef given to Filipinos who serve as the lifeblood the occasional shipment of consumer goods. utilised a messaging application to exchange in Melbourne, posted a photo of a newly of the nation. One must start by critically For Marie, the smartphone plays a vital role in intimate, playful and often random texts and bought pair of shoes on Facebook. This photo reflecting upon how a digital family life can sustaining her relationships to her left-behind visuals. The constant flow of personalised generated a comment from his left-behind become a crucial site to critique the uneven family members. As she said during one of our content primarily contributed to making each mother, reminding him to prioritise his effects of a globalising economy and thus conversations: “Of course, it is very important. one of them feel connected and valued. financial obligations back home instead of map out ways of improving the lives of those I can contact them in an instant. Unlike before, In some cases, a social media channel buying material items. Little did his mother who have been displaced and marginalised when I had to write letters. When there was and a photograph were used in the planning, know, it was his wife who bought the shoes. in a mobile society. no mobile phones yet, it’s quite difficult to coordinating and completion of a family-based The lack of context of a Facebook post communicate at a distance.” business project. As I presented elsewhere,3 allowed for misinterpretation in this case. Earvin Charles Cabalquinto, Lecturer, Marie is one of the millions of Filipinos who Cherry, a 45-year-old accountant in the In this regard, for transnational family School of Communication and Creative have embarked on an overseas journey for members, sustaining ties through networked Arts (SCCA) at Deakin University [email protected] diverse reasons. Cross-border mobility among platforms often warrants strategies. In Efren’s Filipinos is fundamental in coping with the case, the solution was to be mindful when changing demands and policies of a global posting content on social media. economy. According to a 2019 report released Overseas Filipinos and their left-behind by the Philippine Overseas Employment family members often struggle with poor Notes Administration (POEA), 2.5 million Filipino technological infrastructures to sustain workers were deployed overseas in 2016. As transnational linkages. The widespread use of 1 Martinez, J. 2005. ‘The end of indenture? transnational family life becomes mainstream digital communication technologies can thus Asian workers in the Australian Pearling in Philippine society, a diverse range of digital reinforce the pre-existing social inequalities Industry, 1901-1972’, International Labor and Working-Class History 67:125-147. communication technologies serve as conduits in Philippine society. In a report released 2 Keightley, E. & Reading, A. 2014. ‘Mediated for the flow of money, consumer items and by Speedfest Global Index, the Philippine’s mobilities’, Media, Culture & Society 36 expressions of affection. 2019 average internet speed of 19.51 Mbps (3):285-301; doi:10.1177/0163443713517731. According to the 2018 census released by was much slower than the global average 3 Cabalquinto, E.C. 2019. ‘They could the Australian Bureau of Statistics, there were of 57.91 Mbps. Nevertheless, transnational picture me, or I could picture them: 232,284 Philippine migrants in Australia in 2016. families have to manage the pains of physical Displaying family life beyond borders Historically, the first wave of Filipino migrants, separation through the use of mobile devices, through mobile photography’, Information, who were called ‘Manilamen’, came to Western money transfers and the continuous flows of Communication and Society; DOI: Australia and Queensland to work as pearl care packages. In this regard, as care support 10.1080/1369118X.2019.1602663 divers, wharf labourers, and seamen in the becomes more family-based and networked, 4 Cabalquinto, E.C. 2018. ‘Ambivalent 1 Intimacies: Entangled Pains and Gains pearling industry. To date, Filipinos work across the Philippine government can escape from its Through Facebook Use in Transnational various professional and skill-based industries, responsibility in prioritising the social welfare Family Life’, in Dobson, A.S. et al. (eds) such as hospitality, aged care services and of its citizens. This point is of high importance Transnational Filipino family members exchange Digital Intimate Publics and Social education. The Filipino migrant community is random and creative contents through a family especially when the plight of Filipino migrants Media. Springer International Publishing, in the top ten migrant communities of Australia. group chat in Viber. is symptomatic of the lack of stable job pp.247-263. The Newsletter No. 86 Summer 2020 News from Australia and the Pacific Regional Editors 41 Rethinking the Philippines: networks Edwin Jurriëns and Andy Fuller The Region and media of empowerment

Martial Law period. One prominent films. Apart from relating stories of courage example is the commercially shown by these revolutionary characters who When watching successful and critically acclaimed have been cast as sexual minorities within and period melodrama Dekada ’70 (The without the guerrilla zones, these films offer films is resistance 1970s, 2002). This film, produced by critical reflections on the communist movement’s a major commercial film company, own painful contradictions, as particularly depicts the experiences of middle- evinced in their straightforward depiction of the Laurence Marvin S. Castillo class family in the titular milieu. In persistence of heteronormative and patriarchal this film, the eldest son decides to lifeways and values that revolutionaries need join the communist armed movement, to wrestle from, and overcome. n November 2018, Brigadier General bringing to the fore the deep-seated The potency of these films lies in their Antonio Parlade Jr. of the Armed Forces contradictions that have long capacity not only to memorialise the violence Iof the Philippines accused university and incubated in the family. At the centre of the dictatorship, which continues to be the school-based screenings of films about the of the film’s narrative is the political subject of systematic historical revisionism, but Martial Law as being part of the ‘Red October awakening of the mother, who not to also make use of the power of fiction cinema plot’ to recruit for the Communist Party of only begins to understand her son’s to examine the relevance and persistence of the Philippines and the New People’s Army involvement, but also gradually the revolutionary vision, especially in light (CPP-NPA). The accusation gave rise to liberates herself from the constraints of contemporary concerns such as identity statements of condemnation from hundreds of the social role she performs inside politics. They produce fictionalised versions of of independent filmmakers, scholars, cultural and outside the family home. the radical past that are significantly shaped workers and activists. These statements A visible commonality between by, while dialoguing with, the socio-political emphasised the danger that Parlade’s many Filipinos who lived through this period, Dekada ’70 and other recent films on the sensibilities of the present. And indeed it is the accusation poses to the freedom of expression the memory of the dictatorship is intertwined revolution is their examination of how current nominally democratic order’s shared guaranteed by the Philippine constitution. with the memory of the revolutionary gender and sexuality figure in an individual’s features with, and gradual transition to, movement. Marcos invoked and magnified the radicalisation. Such thematic concern relates authoritarian rule that urgently demand the The military’s linking of the memory of the threat of communism to justify the declaration to contemporary identity-based advocacies surfacing of such radical memory practices. Martial Law period to communism shows how of the Martial Law in 1972. The repressive and social movement practices that prompt a the state cultivates “authoritarian nostalgia”1 conditions under authoritarian rule compelled nuancing, if not rethinking of, the class-oriented Laurence Marvin S. Castillo, in the Philippine public sphere. The spectre a lot of Filipinos to join the revolution, which and nationalist politics associated primarily with PhD candidate at the Asia Institute, of the communist revolution is brought up did not only embody the most radical form of the revolutionary movement. The independent University of Melbourne to whitewash the atrocities of the earlier anti-dictatorship resistance, but also offered a filmsBarber’s Tales (2013) and Liway (2018) [email protected] authoritarian order, and more disturbingly, to comprehensive agenda for the transformation centre on women characters, whose expressions justify the return of dictatorial rule, this time of Philippine society. of empowerment are depicted as contingent under the presidency of Rodrigo Duterte. For Filipinos like me, born during the upon, and linked to, their involvement in the Notes My doctoral research project, which post-authoritarian period of democratisation communist movement. In other independent began in 2018, is about how the communist and living through the present in which the films like Muli (The Affair, 2010) and Lihis 1 Webb, A. 2017. ‘Why Are the Middle Class Misbehaving?: Exploring Democratic revolution is imagined in films and literary revolution continues to rage on, Martial Law (Wayward, 2013), the experiences of gay 2 Ambivalence and Authoritarian Nostalgia’, works produced in the decades that followed films are forms of “imagined memory”. members of the communist movement are Philippine Sociological Review 65:77-102. the toppling of the dictator Ferdinand Marcos They enable us to imagine and remember highlighted, challenging the macho stereotypes 2 Huyssen, A. 2003. Present Pasts: Urban in the 1986 EDSA People Power. Some of these the experiences – of state violence, as well as associated with the popularised figure of the Palimpsests and the Politics of Memory. works are films set in the Martial Law era. For of radical political involvement – during the NPA guerrilla depicted in some post-EDSA action Stanford University Press.

Researching the Philippines Filipino. It was also involved in the development PINAS aims to continue to be a critical voice of a conference panel that interrogated for engaging the Filipino and Australian publics in Australia: the Philippine Studies the connections between community in topics of importance, such as migration, action and research, particularly regarding politics, community building, globalisation, Network in Australia (PINAS) various Filipino community organisations in culture, the arts, the ongoing relationship Victoria, like Migrante Melbourne, Gabriela between Australia and the Philippines, and Australia, Advanced League of Peoples’ Artists problems in the Asia-Pacific Region. Reagan Maiquez Incorporated, Philippine Australia Solidarity The challenges faced by Area/Philippine Association, and Anakbayan Melbourne. Studies in Australia include the lack of an Following the success of the conference, academic institution for advancing research ilipinos are the fifth largest migrant group scholars from all disciplines and focusses PINAS hosted another forum that examined on one of the largest migrant communities in in Australia with around 236,000 residents. on topics, issues, and challenges faced by the link between community issues and the world. Also, with more global economic FIn 2017-2018, 10640 migrants came from the Filipino community in both Australia and the formation of diasporic communities in woes and ongoing environmental and social the Philippines. Additionally, around thirteen the Philippines. It aims to foster connection, Australia through critical reflections by visiting catastrophes, the government, private thousand student visas from the Philippines dialogue, research and creative projects among Filipino academics, including University of the institution and public funding of research in were granted in 2018-2019, a significantly academics, artists, activists, and the larger Philippines Diliman (UPD) film and cultural the arts, humanities, social sciences and Area marked increase (108%) from the 2017-2018 Filipino and Filipino-Australian public. studies professor Dr Rolando B. Tolentino, studies has been dwindling. Furthermore, program year. Historically, prior to Australia’s PINAS, in the last three years, has responded Filipino creative writing scholar and translator there is a changing landscape of research birth as a modern nation, this second largest to the problems and issues faced by Filipinos Dr Vladimeir Gonzales (UPD), and multi-award globally, in which academic institutions are archipelago in the world was already linked through critical and creative engagement in winning writer, commentator and sociologist faced with increased pressure to measure to the world’s largest island. During the both digital and live venues. It has also served Arnold Alamon, who is Assistant Professor their impact not only in terms of their research late 1800s, Filipinos pearl divers, known as as a study circle for research and coursework of Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute publications but also their active role in ‘Manila Men’ arrived in the island-continent scholars who are working on research projects of Technology. community and nation building. and intermarried with Indigenous Australians. and papers on the Philippines. Many of them Currently PINAS is conducting research Nonetheless, Australia’s role in developing The Philippines has maintained diplomatic are research students at Monash University, led by this author, Monash University’s PhD world class research in the region also lies relationships with Australia for 70 years, The University of Melbourne, and La Trobe Candidate Katrina Ross Tan, and PINAS heavily in collaboration with nations in the longer than most of the ASEAN countries. University in Melbourne. Melbourne-based member and data analyst Candice Rabusa. Asia-Pacific region, and in the innovation scholars are part of the advisory team of The project, “Understanding Filipino Youth and scholarship produced in this part of The Philippines has also become an this newly-emerging collective, including Immigrant Lived Experience in Melbourne, the world, including the Philippines. It is with important site for examining modern, the author, Dr Reyvi Marinas who completed Australia: A Preliminary Study”, explores this in mind that PINAS in Australia seeks to democratic, and postcolonial states in Asia a research in Citizenship Studies and Law, how Filipino youth in Melbourne view and involve the academic community, independent and beyond. Philippine Studies is the juncture Dr Walter Robles of Swinburne University, understand their cultural values in an ongoing scholars and the general public in research and between Area studies and the interdisciplinary and Dr Gary Devilles, who completed his formation of hyphenated and complex Filipino community engagement about pressing topical investigation of Filipino culture, history, urban research project at La Trobe University identity abroad. Through a qualitative enquiry issues in both Australia and the Philippines. language, art, heritage, internal and global and has now returned to teaching and from focus-group discussions among 1.5 diaspora. Over the past decades, it has been research at Ateneo de Manila University. (young people who were born in the Philippines Reagan Maiquez completed his doctoral relevant for examining not only the growth In September 2017, PINAS together with but migrated to Australia with their parent/s research at Monash University in the area and challenges of the Philippines, but also postgraduate students from various Victorian before the age of 9) and second generation of theatre and performance studies. He how this country and its people are linked universities initiated a roundtable dialogue Filipino-Australians, the study seeks to has taught writing and literature at the University of the Philippines at Los Baños with the rest of the world, including Australia. at The University of Melbourne regarding the interrogate issues surrounding the identity and is currently involved in community, It is with this impetus that PINAS, the prospect of Philippine Studies in Australia. The and cultural formation of this demographic creative, and research projects with various Philippine Studies Network in Australia, following month, PINAS hosted a lecture-forum segment. It also aims to examine the problems organisations in Melbourne, Australia. was conceived and formed in early 2017 by at Monash University by the prolific Filipino of this particular segment of the Filipino- This includes being a co-convenor of PINAS independent scholars and postgraduate migrant scholar Robyn Rodriguez, Professor Australian population and to mobilise the [email protected] research students of several Victorian of Asian-American Studies at the University potential of the young Filipino-Australian voice universities. Inspired by Filipino migrant of California Davis, and founding head of and contribution to community engagement researchers who have made earlier engagement the Bulosan Center for Filipino Studies. The in Australia as well as in the Philippines. efforts in other diasporic sites like the United title of his lecture was “Decolonizing Filipino Amidst the difficulty of navigating the States and Europe, the group aims to contribute Migration Research”. terrains of community formations and to and examine Filipino and Filipino-Australian In 2018, PINAS became a major academic academic networks in the context of the community-formation within Australia. PINAS partner of the yearly International Research diaspora, and the defunding of university is a collective of scholars in the humanities and Forum on the Philippines organised by the research in the humanities, social sciences, and social sciences, particularly the interdisciplinary Filipino-Australian Student Council of Victoria. Area studies, PINAS represents an important studies of culture, society, politics, and art PINAS contributed to the development and effort to bridge the gap between research and known as Philippine Studies. PINAS welcomes curation of the conference’s theme Becoming grassroots communities. In the coming years, 42 News from Southeast Asia Regional Editor The Region Economic and social effects Su-Ann Oh of the pandemic

Economic and

social effects of https://www.iseas.edu.sg the pandemic

Su-Ann Oh The COVID-19 pandemic is threatening lives around the world, and the measures to contain it are badly affecting economies and livelihoods. The various countries in Southeast Asia are using a multitude of coping strategies, some more effective than others, while grappling with the socio-economic costs of the pandemic.

n these short articles, we bring you concise perspective of how pandemic mitigation and diverse insights into the economic measures have affected the poor. Finally, Iand social effects of the pandemic from a political scientist Nyi Nyi Kyaw considers macro and micro level. We have an overview the nature of panic and vigilantism that of the impact on ASEAN economies by has emerged in pandemic Myanmar. economist Jayan Menon, and the Indonesian government’s struggles to contain the Su-Ann Oh, Visiting Fellow at outbreak while balancing economic needs ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute, by economist Siwage Dhama Negara. For Managing Editor of SOJOURN, and Malaysia, environmental anthropologist Regional Editor for The Newsletter, Serina Rahman provides a micro-level [email protected]

investment and output, which in turn affects an economic depression is on the cards. growth. Tourism and business travel, as well Even in a best case scenario, there will be How is COVID-19 affecting as related industries, especially airlines and sharp increases in unemployment and hotels, were the first to be affected.1 And the poverty. Some degree of decoupling from the ASEAN economy? conditions are worsening as more countries China, or de-globalisation in general, go into shutdown. may also be a permanent reminder of this The supply disruptions emanating mostly pandemic. Jayant Menon from China will reverberate throughout the Among ASEAN countries, Singapore, value chain and disrupt production. Since Malaysia and Thailand are heavily integrated China is the regional hub and accounts in regional supply chains and will be the most he COVID-19 pandemic is first and same. This variation in rates across countries, for 12 per cent of global trade in parts and affected by a reduction in demand for the foremost a human tragedy. By early as well as between forecasters, suggests components, the cost of the disruption in the goods produced within them. Indonesia and TMay 2020, about 3.5 million infections two things. Greater focus is needed on the short run will be high.2 The negative effects the Philippines have been increasing supply and 250,000 deaths had been reported transmission mechanisms of the economic of quarantine arrangements on labour supply chain engagement and will not be immune worldwide, and about 35,000 infections and contagion and in critiquing how assessments could also be high depending on duration and either. Vietnam is the only new ASEAN member 1,600 deaths in ASEAN. Measures introduced of the economic impacts are made. This will sector.3 Manufacturing has been hit harder integrated into supply chains with China and to deal with the pandemic could save lives enable a more informed evaluation of the than service industries, where telecommuting is already suffering severe supply disruptions. but are having wide-ranging economic assessments, as the numbers keep changing, and other technological aids limit the fall Given time, supply-side adjustments will effects and inducing economic contagion. and a better understanding of the under- in productivity. alter trade and investment patterns. The lying processes to gauge the impacts of All these disruptions will lead to sharp main adjustment will involve relocating The IMF predicts that world output an uncertain and evolving shock. declines in domestic demand. And their certain activities along the supply chain will contract by 3 per cent this year, with impact on economic growth will further from China to ASEAN countries. Although the growth in most ASEAN countries either flat propagate these disruptions. This com- pandemic will disrupt the relocation phase, or negative. There is, however, significant Economic transmission pounding effect can magnify and extend ASEAN countries can benefit from the new variation in projected growth across short-run effects into the long run. The investments, mitigating overall negative ASEAN this year, ranging from -6.7 per mechanisms highest economic cost could come from impacts. Vietnam and Malaysia could be cent in Thailand to 2.7 per cent in Vietnam. The effects of COVID-19 are hitting the so-called intangibles. The effects of major beneficiaries.5 In contrast, the Asian Development Board ASEAN economies at a time when other risk negative sentiment about growth and general Tourism contributed almost $400 billion (ADB) is less pessimistic, projecting growth factors, such as a global growth slowdown, uncertainty — which is already affecting to the ASEAN economy in 2019.6 Thailand in Thailand at -4.8 per cent and Vietnam at were already taking place. COVID-19 is financial markets — will feed into reduced and Malaysia will be most affected in ASEAN 4.8 per cent. The IMF sees the ASEAN group disrupting tourism and travel, supply chains investment, consumption and growth beyond by the drop-off in tourist arrivals. Although contracting by about 1 per cent this year, and labour supply. Uncertainty is driving the short run. Rolling recessions around the intra-ASEAN tourism flows have been growing, while the ADB sees it growing by about the negative sentiment. This all affects trade, world now appear inevitable, despite the spearheaded by Malaysia, the main sources stimulus measures being contemplated.4 of tourist arrivals are the ‘Plus Three countries’ Above left: Bangkok, March 2020. Image Prachatai on Flickr, Creative Commons licence. Above right: Philippines, The contraction is not only likely to be greater – China , Korea and Japan – and all are April 2020. Image Asian Development Bank on Flickr, Creative Commons licence. than the Global Financial Crisis of 2008, contracting severely. The Newsletter No. 86 Summer 2020 News from Southeast Asia Regional Editor 43 Economic and social effects Su-Ann Oh The Region of the pandemic

To help the informal workers, laid-off is often about the complex coordination workers, and people who work in small-micro between the central government and local Indonesia faces tremendous businesses that have been affected by the government, and between different local pandemic, the government has implemented governments. Jokowi has asked the regional challenges in its handling of a new pre-employment card programme in heads to coordinate their policies with the April. It aims to support around 5.6 million central and local governments. Several the public health emergency jobseekers in the form of training for up to six regional heads, such as Tegal, in Central months. Also, the government has decided Java, and Tasikmalaya, in West Java, to provide free electricity for 24 million low- have taken the initiative to lockdown their Siwage Negara income households and to give a 50 per cent respective cities from 30 March until 31 July discount on tariffs for 7 million middle-income without consulting the central government. households for the next three months. Overall, On this issue, Jokowi has warned that all ndonesia recorded its first instance of the regional heads to coordinate their policies the government has budgeted an additional policies in the regions must comply with COVID-19 - two cases of infection - on with the central and local governments. He IDR 405 trillion (USD 25 billion), about 16 per national regulations. Nevertheless, it remains I2 March. Slightly more than a month later, specifically instructed the regional government cent of the total national budget for 2020, to to be seen if regional heads will do so. on 13 April, President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo not to implement a lockdown policy without respond to the COVID-19 outbreak. A quarter Third, the capacity of the state and declared COVID-19 a national disaster. coordinating with the central government. of the allocated budget is for financing regional institutions to carry out the That day, the number of COVID-19 cases It is noteworthy that Jokowi has resisted various social protection programmes programmes is mixed if not lacking. had jumped to over 4,500 with almost 400 the demand to lock-down the country, citing described above. An additional fund of IDR The country lacks a good governance and fatalities. On 5 May, Indonesia reported concern about the serious social and economic 75 trillion (USD 4.6 billion) will be allocated to monitoring system for implementing social- a total of 11,587 COVID-19 cases with 864 implications of such a measure. While several the health budget. About IDR 70 trillion (USD assistance programmes. The risk of corruption deaths. As of writing, the country has the countries have done so, lockdown is viewed 4.3 billion) is allocated to support SMEs and or cooptation remains high and needs close highest number of COVID-19 fatalities in as problematic in an economy with a large small-scale credit holders. The government monitoring with the help of civil society. South-east Asia, with a death rate of around informal sector like Indonesia. Based on data has also set up an IDR 25 trillion (USD 1.5 There is a need to minimize the risk of 8 per cent of total confirmed cases. Many from the Central Statistics Agency, of 126.5 billion) contingency fund to anticipate an elite-capture as it is common that social commentators believe that the figures are million people working in Indonesia, 71 million increase in demand for basic staples. programmes are used by regional heads significantly underreported as the official (56 per cent) work in the informal sector. Many for their political interests. The authorities, data does not include deaths of patients of these people cannot afford to stay at home especially the police, need to ensure public suspected to have had coronavirus, but who as they live on a day-to-day basis, for example, Going forward order and security. They cannot rule out the were not tested. In fact, with only 200 tests ojek (motorcycle taxi) drivers, street cart The government needs to accelerate potential risk of social unrest if people who per 1 million people, Indonesia has the lowest operators, and informal carpark attendants. mass testing and conduct more aggressive are losing their jobs do not obtain the social testing rate in the region. The Indonesian However, as the number of infected people and tracing. This is particularly important as assistance promised by the government. Doctors Association (IDI) has projected that fatalities increases, the government is forced many people have left Jakarta, the epicenter Finally, the government's capacity the death toll from COVID-19 is likely to be to take stricter measures to control people's of the pandemic to travel to other cities. to provide social safety nets for the poor double the official figure. movement. In late March, it was reported that around and the vulnerable group is limited. On 21 April, Jokowi announced the 14,000 people from the greater Jakarta As such, public participation and support government’s decision to forbid Idul Fitri area travelled to West Java, Central Java, are critical. We have seen rising community Line of command mudik to curb the spread of COVID-19 ahead Yogyakarta, and East Java, ignoring the efforts to promote social solidarity and This reveals the country’s extreme lack of of Ramadan. Traditionally, during Ramadan, government’s appeal to stay put. Looking help the poor and the vulnerable. As of hard and soft health infrastructure to deal some 20 million people from Greater Jakarta, ahead, there are at least three big challenges 31 March, the national COVID-19 special with the COVID-19 crisis. The lack of reliable the epicenter of the COVID-19 outbreak for the government to overcome. First, it taskforce reported having received financial data and information is a huge challenge for in Indonesia, travel to their hometowns to needs to quickly and effectively roll out the contributions of around 80 billion rupiah the government. Initially, the government’s celebrate Idul Fitri. If enforced effectively, this social safety-net programmes simultaneously. from the public to support government response to the crisis was very slow due to a travel ban will avoid further spread of COVID- It needs a credible targeting mechanism assistance programmes. There are also other lack of information, and its unpreparedness. 19 on Java, an island of 141 million people, supported by accurate data of the community or religious organizations, as This was exacerbated by an underestimation where many regions have far worse healthcare beneficiaries, such as informal workers well as individuals, contributing separately of the magnitude of the epidemic. Like many systems than Jakarta. To keep people and daily workers who are entitled to get through other channels. Moreover, around other governments, it does not have a coherent from traveling back to their hometown, the financial supports. 15,000 higher-education students from all institutional response. Overall, we see a lack government needs to prepare social assistance Alas, the data remains fragmented over the country have been volunteering to of clarity in protocols in responding to the to support their incomes. In view of this, and often unavailable. It is a challenge to support government mitigation programmes. epidemic, such as the line of command, in Jokowi has announced various social safety- collect information on the most affected The capacity and resilience of Indonesia’s other words, who is in charge of doing what. net programmes to help the poor and most groups, such as petty traders, factory government and society, like in many other The result is a series of blunders in the country’s vulnerable groups. This includes expanding the workers, construction workers, cleaners, countries, are being severely tested. We can handling of the epidemic. Nevertheless, we cash transfer programme through the Program daily workers, and ride-hailing drivers. only hope that Indonesia will pull through also see the government learning from and Keluarga Harapan [Family Hope Programme] The next issue to tackle is how to distribute this uncertain and difficult time. fixing its previous mistakes. After declaring a by providing cash transfers to support the support to these affected people. public health emergency on 31 March, Jokowi around 10 million poor families. Besides, the According to the Financial Service Authority Siwage Dharma Negara is a Senior instructed the implementation of stricter large- government will also expand the food card (OJK), 51 per cent of the adult population Fellow and Co-coordinator of the scale social and physical distancing measures programme [kartu sembako] to help around does not have a bank account. Second, Indonesia Studies Programme, within the community. Jokowi has also asked 20 million to get their food staples. within a decentralized system, the challenge ISEAS - Yusof Ishak Institute.

Cambodia and Laos receive most of China and accelerated by the US–China trade their investment and aid from China, and war.8 While COVID-19 may further hasten a marked growth slowdown in China will the pace and extent of the restructuring, it is affect them the most. A slowdown in the Plus only partly responsible for what may happen. Three countries will affect investment flows It would be misleading to attribute all of the in the region as a whole.7 The Philippines current disruption to COVID-19. Had the trade and Mekong countries have large overseas war not preceded it, COVID-19 may have foreign worker populations and restrictions on resulted in greater disruption to supply chains. their movement or employment prospects as Any assessment of impacts must recognise borders close will affect sending and receiving that the spread of COVID-19 is unpredictable, countries. Brunei and Malaysia are net oil and so too the response by governments. exporters and the price war indirectly induced It is difficult to estimate the impacts of a by the pandemic will hit them hard. Others shock that is uncertain in itself. This reiterates will benefit from lower oil prices, as will the the need for rigorous modelling and scenario struggling transport sector. analyses.9 The current trend points to risks rising, often accelerating, as with previous epidemics. This uncertainty underscores the Assessing the assessments need for caution in assessing, and regular In measuring the impacts of COVID-19, recalibration in producing assessments. it is important to separate its marginal impact from observed outcomes. This is Jayant Menon is a Visiting Senior Fellow in important because the remedy may vary the Regional Economic Studies Programme depending on the cause of the disruption. at the ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute. This requires an analytical framework that can measure deviations from a baseline scenario that incorporates pre-existing trends. A model-based analysis, rather than casual Notes empiricism, is required to reduce the problem. In addition, what is explicitly modelled and 1 https://tinyurl.com/EAF04032020 what is assumed, and what those assumptions 2 https://tinyurl.com/wts2019ch8 3 https://tinyurl.com/IDEpolbrief10 are, need to be considered in understanding 4 https://tinyurl.com/EAF23042020 differences in projections. 5 https://tinyurl.com/MBIboost Even before the outbreak, risks of a 6 https://tinyurl.com/statista2010-2019 global growth slowdown were rising. The 7 https://tinyurl.com/EAF13032020 restructuring of regional supply chains had 8 https://tinyurl.com/EAF09102019 Above: Philippines, April 2020. Image Asian Development Bank on Flickr, Creative Commons licence. started, driven initially by rising wages in 9 https://tinyurl.com/stockheadcovid 44 News from Southeast Asia Regional Editor The Region Economic and social effects Su-Ann Oh of the pandemic

there are no buyers, as factories, restaurants Amongst the poor, there is little under- and markets are closed. Stopping work is standing of health, sanitation or the severity COVID-19 in Malaysia: impact on the poor not an option for the farmers and fishermen of COVID-19. Many live in physically compact as they live hand-to-mouth on a daily basis. communities and for the urban poor, in tiny In times of pandemic, when perhaps others apartments. It may not be tolerable for them Serina Rahman in their family have lost their jobs, theirs is the to stay indoors when there are often many only hope that they might be able to scratch generations inhabiting a small confined space. together some income with which to buy A lack of refrigeration in many homes means non-agricultural necessities such as diapers they are unable to purchase a week’s supply and milk powder. of food, even if they were able to afford to do In the deep interior and highlands, so. Food delivery services are unlikely to be indigenous people would ordinarily be able to accessible or affordable. NGOs and social survive, as their existence is usually isolated workers scrambling to get food and supplies and dependent on wild food sources. But many to the poor, elderly, disabled and shelters, forests that have been a lifeline for generations were initially advised to leave the provision have been logged and cleared for plantations, of assistance to official government agencies. industry or development; both food sources There was no clarity on where donated goods and forest medicines that could cure illnesses or aid would go, nor whether the established n Malaysia’s battle to contain COVID-19, Only businesses or services deemed are gone. At the same time, rubber and oil palm networks of the needy would get the supplies a Movement Control Order (MCO) was essential are allowed to remain open, such middlemen are no longer collecting supplies. that they desperately need. Since then, the Iimplemented to contain the spread of as banks, selected restaurants, pharmacies These are the few trades that the indigenous government has allowed NGOs to distribute the virus by keeping most people at home. and supermarkets. Those that open run on people now depend on. Their limited ability to food and provisions, but there are countless The MCO prevents travel of more than a skeletal staff. The rest of the employees are buy provisions is further reduced and financial bureaucratic and impractical obstacles to 10km from one’s residence. In the first three often told to take no-pay leave. In some cases, aid that NGOs may have banked into their overcome. On many occasions, government phases of the MCO (18 March-28 April 2020), jobs are simply terminated. Some industries accounts is inaccessible as most are at least an agencies have asked NGOs for aid and only one member of the family was able to and factories have also been forced to close hour and many roadblocks away from a bank. manpower. leave the house in an emergency or to buy for at least part of the MCO duration, if not While the urban poor are closer to banking While there were several measures groceries, food or medicine, with only one throughout the entire period. Some companies facilities and convenience stores, they too suffer. announced to reduce the burden on the poor, person allowed in a car at a time. In the have since totally closed down, leaving Most are daily-paid workers in blue-collar jobs most do not know how to access them, and following phases, these restrictions are countless daily-paid and part-time workers or menial labour; many have since lost jobs. many are not registered with the mechanisms being eased, with two people from the suddenly unemployed. There is little avenue Those still employed but dependent on public through which aid is disbursed. Announcements same family allowed to travel together, for recourse when they are terminated as transportation suffer from restrictions imposed that allay immediate pressures of public housing but distance restrictions remain in place a result of MCO restrictions. on buses and trains. Those without their own rental, loans and utilities are merely temporary. with a few exceptions. Roadblocks have There is little understanding of the impacts vehicles are stranded as taxis are beyond their Once the MCO is lifted, multiple obligations been set up along many major roads across of these harsh, albeit necessary, restrictions limited budget. The urban poor do not have wild will return with a vengeance, but jobs and the country, manned by police and the on the poor. Most jobs held by Malaysia’s sources of food or space for home gardens. They income opportunities are not guaranteed. army, requiring travellers to explain one’s bottom 40 per cent (B40) require their physical are entirely dependent on store-bought sources While it is vital to stop the spread of the virus, reasons for being on the road. presence and cannot be done from home. and have no alternative when they run out of the lack of considered assistance to those on the Roadside food stalls and pop-up morning cash. While myriad permutations of government edges means that many will suffer not just the markets, often a mainstay of the poorest aid were given out before and during the possibility of contracting the virus, but increased Above: COVID-19 screening at UNIMAS City Campus. population’s income, have been ordered shut. pandemic, amounts and disbursements vary. difficulties in meeting the most basic of needs. UNIMAS's joint efforts with the State Government These shops also normally enable the poor to A 2018 study by the Khazanah Research and the Ministry of Health have assisted in the purchase food and other necessities at lower Institute reported that on average, B40 Serina Rahman is a Visiting Fellow ongoing process of screening COVID-19. in the Malaysia Studies Programme Image Universiti Malaysia Sarawak Malaysia prices than in the supermarkets. Rural farmers households only had RM76 (USD17) in post- on Flickr, Creative Commons licence. and fishermen who continue to work find that expenses disposable income every month. at ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute.

association, said that they were ‘watching’ These returnees are now on their way by land, Manifestations and targets of panic the outflow and inflow of Chinese workers.3 not just from Thailand but also from China, and Two Chinese nationals working at a factory by air from Asian countries including Japan, vigilantism due to Covid-19 in Myanmar in Chaung-U township, Sagaing Region were South Korea, Malaysia, and Singapore. isolated on their return from a visa run to China Numerous villages and towns have refused to on 19 March; the factory was closed for ten house returnees in quarantine facilities in their Nyi Nyi Kyaw days.4 Such cases of early panic vigilantism environs or to receive returnees or travellers from were generally settled without incident. Yangon — the epicentre of the outbreak in Then the targets shifted to Myanmar workers Myanmar. A most unfortunate form of panic- anic precedes, accompanies, or follows warned that “panic buying just makes more returning from Thailand, which is home to induced vigilantism or discrimination has also grave political, economic, cultural, and people infected with the virus.”1 Generally, approximate 4 million Myanmar migrants. been seen in cities such as Mandalay and Ppublic health crises. Reading about panic buying may lead to temporary shortages Overwhelmed by the sheer influx of returnees Yangon. Some landlords have evicted healthcare and seeing pictures of the global COVID-19 of goods. If it continues for an extended period, and the lack of government quarantine facilities, providers and frontline workers, instead of valuing health crisis in neighbouring and faraway supply chains will have to be dealt with. authorities on the border had no choice but to their work. The last target is patients themselves, countries, the people of Myanmar simply When these are maintained, accompanied by ask those returnees – who were asymptomatic – making a Ministry of Health and Sports spoke- could not believe that the coronavirus had not restrictions on shopping, panic buying reduces. to self-isolate at their homes. Health and Sports sperson defend them in the following way, been detected in the country until February However, more disturbing social and Minister Myint Htwe’s comment, reportedly “The patients who have tested positive and March 2020. They felt that it would only racial, or even racist, forms of panic have made at a ministerial meeting on 27 March,5 are humans, too. They have been infected be a matter of days or weeks until it was occurred recently. Numerous reports of that those who could not tolerate a two-week accidentally and we should be kind to them”.8 detected, and thus their panic was months in panic-stricken people racially targeting and quarantine away from their families might even the making. Myanmar eventually announced verbally or physically abusing Chinese people face permanent separation, that is death. This the first two cases on 23 March. By 4 May or those whom they think are Chinese, have only added to the sense of alarm. By the end Is this the end of the world? Myanmar had 161 cases of infection, six of emerged all over the world. Though somewhat of March, some 23,000 workers had returned All these instances of vigilantism and whom died. Since then, panic has turned understandable psychologically, such panic can home. Health and Sports Minister Myint Htwe, discrimination are serious social problems to be several people in Myanmar not only into be socially destabilizing. People or communities again, announced on 29 March that a big tackled. Some would say they are temporary frenzied shoppers but also into vigilantes may turn ‘excessively’ or ‘extremely’ vigilant. wave of infection was imminent from the wave and will go way once the crisis is over. But against people they ‘believe’ are currently Such panic vigilantism has also been witnessed of returnees.6 By 31 March, Myanmar had 15 some discrimination may linger, because or potentially infected with the coronavirus. in Myanmar in recent months, and it has diagnosed cases, two of which had returned namers, shamers, vigilantes, and discriminators targeted a range of people – from Chinese from or visited Thailand, only further inflaming in Myanmar or elsewhere may now feel workers, to returnees from foreign countries such the health minister’s alarmist warning. emboldened to say and do whatever they like Different manifestations as Thailand, to healthcare providers or frontline Panic vigilantism in Myanmar has occurred under the pretext of promoting public health. workers at hospitals and quarantine facilities, online and offline; offline and online naming of panic to even domestic returnees or travellers from and shaming are mutually reinforcing. Online Nyi Nyi Kyaw is a Visiting Fellow in Panic can develop even before a crisis COVID-19-infected places. ‘keyboard vigilantes’ on Facebook – the most the Myanmar Studies Programme at materializes, only to grow once it occurs. In the popular social media platform in Myanmar – ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute. evening of 12 March, rumour spread in Myanmar took to naming and shaming returnees, when that a patient at the Yangon General Hospital Different targets of panic reports (both online and offline) circulated Notes — Myanmar’s biggest and best public hospital Since the first detected cases of COVID-19 of workers giving incorrect addresses, using — had tested positive for COVID-19. Because of originated in Wuhan, Myanmar vigilantes’ first ‘brokers’ to jump the border and bribing the 1 Myanmar Times, news, pictures and videos of infection, deaths, targets were Chinese workers at Myanmar authorities. Information about an unknown https://tinyurl.com/MT24032020 lockdowns, and panic-buying elsewhere in factories owned by investors from China. number of untraceable workers disappearing 2 The Standard Time, the world, Myanmar people immediately On 31 January 2020, Myanmar workers into the woodwork after arriving home and https://tinyurl.com/SD02022020 flocked to the malls and markets and stocked refused to work after the Chinese company about some of them flouting quarantine 3 DVB, https://tinyurl.com/DVB10022020 food items, household essentials, and medicine. Myanmar Wanbao Mining Copper allowed restrictions was spread by mainstream media 4 News Eleven, When the government eventually announced its assistant manager, a Chinese national, to and individuals. On 31 March, Myanmar https://tinyurl.com/eleven22032020 the first cases on 23 March, people responded return from China to the Letpadaung Copper suspended the border crossing between 5 The Voice Journal, https://tinyurl.com/voice28032020 with more panic buying. Manufacturers and Mine in Sagaing Region. A Myanmar workers’ Thailand and Myanmar, thereby temporarily 6 The Irrawaddy, mall-owners quickly announced that there was representative said, “We are not entering stopping anti-returnee vigilantism. But https://tinyurl.com/IW30032020 2 sufficient stock for all. In a televised speech the workplace if he doesn’t leave”. Because estimating that up to 100,000 Myanmar 7 The Irrawaddy, on 24 March, State Counsellor and de the crisis coincided with Chinese New Year migrant workers abroad would return if https://tinyurl.com/IW30042020 facto leader of Myanmar Aung San Suu Kyi holidays, the Confederation of Trade Unions able, Aung San Suu Kyi said on 30 April, 8 Frontier, guaranteed a continued food supply, and of Myanmar, Myanmar’s largest workers’ “we (Myanmar) must accept all returnees”.7 https://tinyurl.com/frontier04052020 The Newsletter No. 86 Summer 2020 China Connections Regional Editor 45 Things on the move Fan ZHANG The Region

Things on the move Center for Global Asia Material culture and connectivity in ancient China 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 Fan ZHANG Objects move, sometimes across cultural boundaries. They travel study of Asian interactions and comparisons, as tributes, commodities, and military booties. In this issue’s ‘China both historical and contemporary. The overall objective of the Center is to provide global Connections’, we explore how things perform as active agents, linking societies with information about the contexts China and its outside world from the Bronze Age to the premodern era. of the reemerging connections between the various parts of Asia through research and Writing about the transcultural biography of things, essays in this section teaching. Collaborating with institutions across invite readers to reconsider the connectivity of the ancient world via the world, the Center seeks to play a bridging role between existing Asian studies knowledge various routes, including but not limited to the Silk Road. Coming from silos. It will take the lead in drawing connections different disciplinary backgrounds, contributors to this issue demonstrate and comparisons between the existing fields of Asian studies, and stimulating new ways of the potential of material culture studies as an interdisciplinary field that understanding Asia in a globalized world. integrates art history, history, and archaeology. Asia Research Center ollowing chronological order, five essays while the early transcultural connections and from a wide range of materials, such at Fudan University outline a broad picture of transcultural were mainly made via the land routes, later as glass, stone, porcelain, bronze, and other Founded in March 2002, the Asia Research Fexchange in the premodern Eurasian history saw the growing significance of the precious and semi-precious metals. What links Center at Fudan University (ARC-FDU) is one continent through the lens of objects. Each maritime network. Attention is also paid to the them together is their role as a cultural mediator. of the achievements of the cooperation essay highlights a particular artifact; these local response to foreign imports by studying We hope that, from the perspective of things, of Fudan and the Korean Foundation for objects are the witnesses, products, and how objects from afar were adopted and our readers can embrace the connectivity of Advanced Studies (KFAS). Since in formation, agents of the cross-cultural interaction adapted in the local contexts. the ancient world, which is no less intricate than the center has made extensive efforts to happening at varied levels and in diverse Objects are the embodiment of social that of our current era of globalization. promote Asian studies, including hosting conferences and supporting research projects. forms, such as trade, tribute, and pilgrimage. relations, and the objects moving across Fan ZHANG is a Professor of Practice By tracing the movement of things, we borders are the testimony of social relations at Tulane University; Global Perspectives ARC-FDU keeps close connections with Asia interrogate the routes and networks that at a transcultural scale. Artifacts featured in on Society Teaching Fellow, New York Research Centers in mainland China and meshed together cultures in different parts the following essays were produced during University Shanghai (2018-2019) a multitude of institutes abroad. of Eurasia. A diachronic survey shows that different time periods, in various locations, [email protected]

Interregional transmissions of bronze mirrors with geometric decorations in early China

Yanlong GUO

he bronze mirror has long been viewed rings, sometimes filled with short lines; the other as a quintessentially ´Chinese´ is divided into quadrants filled with parallel lines. Tobject. However, the earliest mirrors Producing a small, circular disc with thread discovered in the Central Plain are likely relief would require only two halved molds, much to have been imported exotica. This article more straightforward than the sophisticated draws attention to the geometric mirrors piece-mold casting technique already mastered retrieved from Anyang, the last capital of the by the Shang casters. The stylistic and technical Shang dynasty. It argues that the style of the distinctions between the Anyang mirrors and Fig. 1(above left) 1-1, 1-2, 1-4, 1-6: Mirrors from Yinxu tomb 文物精粹. Beijing: Kexue chubanshe, p.89. fig. 2-3, 2-4: Anyang mirrors originated from the northwest their contemporary bronze vessels suggest that 5, Anyang, Henan, ca. 13th-12th centuries BCE. After Li Mirrors from Houqianyi tomb 4, Luanxian, , 13th- Jaang. 2011. 'Long-Distance Interactions as Reflected in 11th centuries BCE. After Houqianyi yizhi kaogu fajue borderland. Recent archaeological discoveries the former were imported from elsewhere. the Earliest Chinese Bronze Mirrors', in von Falkenhausen, baogao ji Jidong diqu kaoguxue wenhua yanjiu, p.40. from the Inner Asian frontier further suggest As archaeological excavations in recent L. & Brashier K. E. (eds) The Lloyd Cotsen Study Collection Tracings by Doris Yixuan Tang. that the early mirrors with geometric designs decades reveal, the two subtypes of geometric of Chinese Bronze Mirrors, Volume II, Studies. Los Angeles: Cotsen Occasional Press, UCLA Cotsen Institute of were embedded in the network of cross- mirrors that predate the Anyang specimens Fig. 3 (below): Geographic distribution of mirrors Archaeology Press, pp.40-41. with geometric patterns in early China. Courtesy cultural circulations between the Central Plain already emerged in , Fig. 1-5: Mirror from Houjiazhuang tomb 1005, Anyang, of Yanlong Guo. and its northern and western neighbors during including the two mirrors with radial triangles ca. 13th-12th centuries BCE. After Kong Xiangxing & Liu Yiman. 1992. Zhongguo gudai tongjing 中國古代銅鏡. the late second millennium BCE. uncovered from the sites of the Late Neolithic Beijing: Wenwu chubanshe, p.14. Qijia Culture (2300-1700 BCE) in eastern Fig. 1-3: Mirror from Dasikong tomb 25, Anyang, Later literary sources, such as the seventh- Qinghai (Guinan; fig.2-1) and western Gansu ca. 13th-12th centuries BCE. After Zhongguo century fiction Record of an Ancient Mirror shehuikexueyuan kaogu yanjiusuo Anyang (Linxia) as well as the three antecedents with gongzuodui. 1989. '1986 nian Anyang Dasikongcun [Gujing ji 古鏡記], often ascribed the invention radiating lines arranged in concentric rings nandi de liangzuo Yinmu' 1986 年安陽大司空村南地 of the Chinese mirror to the legendary Yellow found in Hami, eastern Xinjiang, dated from 的兩座殷墓, Kaogu 7:596. Tracings by Doris Yixuan Emperor in antiquity. However, actual mirrors the nineteenth to the thirteenth centuries Tang. made of bronze did not emerge in the Central BCE (fig.2-2). The early evidence indicates Fig. 2 (above right) 2-1: Mirror from Gamatai Plain until the Late Shang period during the the origin of the geometric mirror style in tomb 25, Guinan, Qinghai, 2300-1700 BCE. After thirteenth and twelfth centuries BCE. So far, the northwestern periphery of present-day Zhongguo qingtongqi quanji bianji weiyuanhui 1 (ed.) 1998. Zhongguo qingtongqi quanji:di juan only six mirrors (fig.1) have been unearthed from China. 16中國青銅器全集: 第16卷. Beijing: Wenwu three tombs at the Late Shang capital Anyang, Rather than a direct long-distance chubanshe, p.1. fig. 2-2: Mirror from Hami, from which more than two thousand bronze movement across an area of several thousand Xinjiang, 19th-13th centuries BCE. After Hami 哈密 vessels have been unearthed. Fu Hao, the kilometers, the transmission of geometric bowuguan (ed.) 2013. Hami wenwu jingcui female general and consort of King Wu Ding (c. mirrors from the Inner Asian frontier to r. 1324-1266 BCE), owned four of the six mirrors. Anyang was likely an indirect process (fig.3). (Houqianyi Tomb 4) in Luanxian, Hebei,2 whose Notes The fifth mirror belonged to a low-ranking elite Several mirrors with radiating lines arranged owner, a local male elite, had direct access to 1 Some scholars have proposed that (Dasikongcun Tomb 25), while the last piece was in concentric circles, including three chance bronze objects from both the Shang and the this type of mirror may have originated associated with a burial of six human victims finds in Qinghai and Gansu and one specimen northern frontier. The geometric mirrors were in Southern Siberia or Central Asia (Xibeigang Tomb 1005) accompanying the scientifically excavated from western , embedded in the network of cross-cultural during the late third millennium BCE. royal cemetery. Because of their scarcity and indicate the western route. Meanwhile, circulations between the Central Plain and its For example, Juliano, A. 1985. ‘Possible random social distribution, these mirrors were the steppe route seems equally possible. northern and western neighbors during the Origins of The Chinese Mirror’, Notes in hardly status markers, but personal exotic items Archaeologists have reported at least four late second millennium BCE, even though they the History of Art 4.2/3:36-45. But none occasionally acquired from the outer world. chance finds of analogous mirrors in the remained occasional and failed to stimulate of the early mirrors found in the two These six Anyang mirrors are decorated Ordos region of Inner Mongolia. The geometric Shang artisans to cast their own mirrors. regions exhibit the geometric patterns. 2 Zhang Wenrui and Zhai Liangfu. 2016. with simple and somewhat crude thread relief, mirror style traveled further east through Houqianyi yizhi kaogu fajue baogao in stark contrast to the ornate, multi-layered southern and northern Hebei before ji Jidong diqu kaoguxue wenhua yanjiu zoomorphic décor on contemporary bronze finally reaching the Shang territory. The most Yanlong GUO is an Assistant 後遷義遺址考古發掘報告及冀東地區考古 vessels. The mirror décor can be classified into noticeable are the two mirrors (figs. 2-3, 2-4) Professor of Art at Smith College 學文化研究. Beijing: Wenwu chubanshe, two subgroups: one is comprised of concentric recently unearthed from a Late Shang tomb [email protected] pp.175-177. 46 China Connections Regional Editor The Region Things on the move Fan ZHANG

Tracing the exotica: Sasanian glassware in Inner Mongolia

Maliya AIHAITI

2.

1-c. 1-d.

1-a. 1-b.

1-e. 1-f. 3.

rom 2010 to 2014, a group of burials using the non-invasive Thermal Scientific South Korea) have long been identified as Fig.1: Glass bowl from the M1 Tomb (e), gilded necklet (f) dated to the late fifth and early sixth Niton XL3t GOLDD+XRF Analyzer. The three either Roman glassware or local production and its inlaid glass sherds (a, b, c, d) from the M3 Tomb, centuries were excavated at Yihe-Nur, samples we analyzed were the sapphire due to stylistic features. But the recent Yihe-Nur Cemetery, Zhengxiangbai Banner, Xilingol F League, Inner Mongolia, China. Fig.2: Glass bottle and its Inner Mongolia. This excavation yielded blue glass bowl from M1 and two light blue compositional analysis by Korean scholars bulbous cap, Qilicun M20 Tomb, , Shanxi, China. a number of exotic objects, including a glass shards on the necklet from M3. The test revealed that both the glass bowl and the Fig.3: Glass ewer and glass bowl, Hwangnam Daechong sapphire blue glass bowl from Tomb 1 and showed that the proportion of potassium ewer are Sasanian plant-ash glass, since Mausoleum, Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea. a gilded necklet inlaid with pieces of glass oxide (K2O) ranges from 2.39-2.88% in the they contain 3.9% K2O.4 from Tomb 3. Our compositional analysis blue-glass bowl, and is about 2% in the The discoveries of Sasanian plant-ash Notes using a non-invasive XRF analyzer shows that light blue glass shards of the gilded necklet. glass in Northern China and Korea is likely these glass objects are Sassanian plant-ash According to the study by Robert H. Brill at related to commercial and diplomatic 1 Chen Yongzhi et al. 2016. ‘The Results of glass. This new discovery, together with the the Corning Glass Museum, ancient glass exchanges during the Northern Wei Dynasty. the Excavation of the Yihe-Nur Cemetery findings of the Sasanian plant-ash glassware that contains potassium oxide between Wei Shu, the dynastic history of the Northern in Zhengxiangbai Banner (2012-2014)’, from Datong (China) and Gyeongju (South 2% and 4% belongs to Sasanian plant-ash Wei, mentions that merchants from Yuezhi The Silk Road 14:42-57. Korea) provided crucial evidence to map glass.2 The three samples we tested all fall brought glassware and the technique of 2 Brill, R.H. 2005. ‘Chemical Analyses out the spread of Sasanian glass along the into this category. making glass to Pingcheng. In the middle of Some Sasanian Glass form Iraq’, in Whitehouse, D. (ed.) Sasanian and Post- Silk Road during the early medieval period. Sasanian plant-ash glassware was of the 5th century, the Goguryeo kingdom Sasanian Glass in The Corning Museum also found in Pingcheng, the Northern Wei sent envoys to the Northern Wei court for the of Glass. New York: The Corning Museum In 2010, five burials dating to the capital and modern-day city of Datong, first time followed by more frequent tributary of Glass, Appendix 2, pp.65-96. Northern Wei period (386-534 CE) were Shanxi Province. The blue glass bottle with missions. It is possible that Sassanian 3 An Jiayao & Liu Junxi. 2015. ‘Northern discovered at Yihe-Nur, Zhengxiangbai a bulbous cap (fig.2), excavated from glassware discovered in China and Korea Wei Glassware in the Datong Region Banner, Xilingol League, Inner Mongolia.1 Qilicun M20 Tomb, contains a proportion was brought by Central Asian merchants 大同地區的北魏玻璃器’, in Yungang Despite tomb robberies, the archaeological of 3.26% potassium oxide, suggesting it to the Northern Wei court at Pingcheng and Research Institute (ed.) Pingcheng Silu team managed to retrieve some magnificent is Sasanian plant-ash glass.3 In addition then transmitted to Inner Mongolia and the 平城絲路. : Qingdao chubanshe, burial goods, including a sapphire blue glass to archaeological findings from China, Korean peninsula. pp.352-353. 4 Min Jeong Koh et al. 2012. ‘Comparison in bowl and a gilded necklet inlaid with glass the Korean Peninsula unearthed Sasanian Characteristics of Chemical Composition shards (fig.1) among other luxury items. plant-ash glass as well. The glass bowl and Maliya AIHAITI, is a PhD candidate of Glass Vessels Excavated from In January 2017, we collaborated with the ewer (fig.3) recovered from the fifth century at the School of Archaeology Neungsalli Temple in Buyeo, Korea, from Xilingol Museum to conduct a compositional Hwangnam Daechong Mausoleum located and Museology, Peking University, Baekje Period’, Bulletin Korean Chemical analysis of the excavated glass products in the city of Gyeongju (Gyeongsangbuk-do, [email protected] Society 33(12):4157, Table 2.

of rings around the body. Reliquaries from in modern-day Afghanistan. He recorded the Gandharan region are larger in number that the king held a ceremony involving the Making the sacred: relics and and more diversified in shape compared to the display of Buddhist relics in a glass case, Indian reliquaries. One type of Gandharan and the that hosted the reliquary was reliquaries in medieval China reliquary that had a cylindrical body opened regularly. The practice of exhibiting decorated with rings around the body later the relics on a regular base was also entered into China proper. But it did not take observable in Tang China, where relics were YU Wei long before this style was replaced by the taken out from monasteries to be displayed ‘square-body and mansard roof-cover’ form, every 30 years. On the Lantern Festival which first appeared during the fifth century of 704, relics hosted at the Famen Temple uddhist relics [sārira] are believed to and was regarded as indigenous Chinese were taken from the pagoda’s underground be the physical remains of Buddha’s style. When Emperor Wen of the Sui dynasty palace to Tang’s East Capital . Bbody after his death [Parinirvān.a] (r.581-604) distributed relics nationwide in The Famen relics were juxtaposed with and cremation. Reliquaries, containers the years 601 to 604, he also preferred the the Nine Tripods (jiuding 九鼎, the symbol of relics, to a certain extent signify the ‘square-body and mansard roof-cover’ as the of heavenly mandate) in the Bright Hall existence of relics and act as the physical standard form of reliquary. This form persisted (mingtang 明堂, the symbolic supreme embodiment of relics that are hidden into the Tang dynasty (618-907 CE) and was shrine). In this way, the Buddhist relics inside. The practice of venerating Buddhist visible in the visual representation of relic and reliquaries were staged and shown as relics has been commonly observed across distribution. The decoration of the reliquaries a statement of the political power, which Asia in history. This essay focuses on developed into a more complex scheme, such was comparable to the Nine Tripods. The Buddhist reliquaries and practices of relic as the stone reliquary uncovered in Lantian ceremony of displaying relics at Tang’s veneration in medieval China. Adopting a County, Shaanxi Province (fig.1). While the Western capital Chang’an engaged more cross-disciplinary approach that combines form of the Lantian reliquary follows the with the general public. We can conclude art history, Buddhology, and history, my Fig. 1: Stone reliquary, Lantian County, Shaanxi Province. Chinese tradition, its decoration speaks that displaying the Buddhist relics was of research hopes to shed more light on how After Lishi bowuguan bianji Weiyuanhui. 2010. about connections with early Indian legends paramount significance since it invoked Shengshi huangchao mibao: Famensi digong yu dating reliquaries and relic veneration rituals were wenwu tezhan 盛世皇朝秘寶：法門寺地宮與大唐文物特 and Gandharan Buddhist art. Details of the religious enthusiasm among worshippers, tied to the viewers, the political power, and 展. Taipei: Taipei lishi bowuguan, p.198. images carved on four sides represent scenes built a close connection linking the sacred the city space in medieval China. not just from the Buddhist cannon, but also relics and the urban space, and created inspired by Buddhist encyclopedia. a visual tie between the religious power The practice of venerating Buddhist the archaeological discovery of reliquaries. The relic veneration ritual reveals and the political supremacy. relics first appeared in India, and later Relic containers found in India, mainly made the interaction between Central Asia and spread to Central Asia, and then to China. of stone or crystal, usually consist of a round China as well. In the year 403, Monk Faxian YU Wei is an Assistant Professor at Our current understanding of the relic bowl and a cover with a knot. Their decoration observed a ritual ceremony of displaying relics the School of Art, Southeast University, veneration ritual, by and large, depends on is relatively simple, featuring several circles when he visited the city of Hidda (醯羅城), [email protected] The Newsletter No. 86 Summer 2020 China Connections Regional Editor 47 Things on the move Fan ZHANG The Region

Fig.1 (above): Shangchuan Island, Blue-and-white porcelain on Shangchuan Island: with the chapel attached to St. Francis Xavier’ Chinese-Portuguese trade during the Ming dynasty tomb on the left side. Courtesy of Guangdong Provincial Research Institute of Cultural XIAO Dashun Relics and Archaeology. Fig. 2 (left): Porcelain sherd decorated with Christ Cross, excavated from Shangchuan Island, n 2016, the Guangdong Provincial Research Ming Nian Zao 大明年製 [Produced during Guangdong Province. Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology the years of the Great Ming] and Jia Jing Courtesy of Guangdong Provincial Research Iconducted a series of archaeological Nian Zhi 嘉靖年製 [Made during the Jiajing Institute of Cultural Relics excavations and surveys on Shangchuan reign], helping to date these remains to the and Archaeology. Island. The island (fig. 1), measuring 156.7 16th century. Most sherds are decorated square kilometers, is one of the largest islands with traditional Chinese patterns, such as in the . It lies on the southern flowers, clouds, and phoenix. Intriguingly, one side of Guanghai Bay, about 9 kilometers piece of blue-and-white porcelain is painted off the south coast of Guangdong Province. with the Order of Christ Cross (fig. 2), the Shangchuan Island is rich in natural harbors emblem of the historical Portuguese Order of and has served as an important navigation Christ, thus testifying to the Portuguese and travels in Asia, arrived at Shangchuan Island Xavier’s mission.1 The current chapel was mark for the maritime route since the Song Catholic presence on the island. The discovery in 1552, but died soon later in the same year. sponsored by Bishop Guillemin between 1867 dynasty. Cultural remains on the island can suggests that Shangchuan Island served as After St. Francis Xavier's visit, Shanghchuan and 1869. Another Catholic Church in the be traced as far back as the pre-Qin period. a transitional trading post for the Chinese- island not only acted as a Chinese-Portuguese Sunday Village south of St. Francis Xavier’s Our excavation carried out in 2016 was Portuguese trade before the Portuguese trading stronghold, but also became a bridge chapel and a hilltop commercial monument centered on Dazhou Bay; it unearthed a large took Macao as their major settlement in for the religious and cultural exchanges. The showcase the later wave of Catholic presence. number of blue-and-white porcelain pieces, 1557. After controlling the Malacca Strait, large quantity of recovered blue-and-white the majority of which are export porcelain the Portuguese sailed through Southeast Asia porcelain, and the Christ Cross found on the XIAO Dashun, is an archaeologist at the related to Portuguese trading activities along to China with the help of the monsoon wind, sherds, is an embodiment of the trading and Guangdong Provincial Research Institute China’s southeastern coast during the Ming seeking to establish connections with the religious network connecting the East and of Cultural Relics and Archaeology [email protected] dynasty (1368-1644 CE). Ming court. The Portuguese delegation paid the West. In 1639, the Jesuits in Macau built their first official visit to China in 1517, followed a tomb for the saint to mark the original burial These pottery sherds are fragments of by increasing trading and construction site after the body was taken to Goa, the then Notes bowls or plates. Features of the glaze and the activities along the coast. capital of Portuguese India. From 1701 to 1864, paste, as well as the production technique, The blue-and-white porcelains were Catholic activities on Shangchuan Island were 1 Davies, S. 2016. ‘Achille-Antoine indicate these ceramics are products of retrieved from a site near a chapel attached to largely restricted or even banned, and priests Hermitte’s Surviving Building’, Jingdezhen. Some of the sherds are inscribed St. Francis Xavier’s cemetery. St. Francis Xavier, were expelled. After 1864, French Catholicism Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society with Chinese characters, including Da a Catholic missionary known for his extensive arrived on the island and continued St. Francis Hong Kong Branch 56:92-110.

Transnational exchange of metallic commodities items that were recorded as ballasts in the Company’s journals and logs. Laboratory during the Era of the Canton Trade tests show that the composition of these tutenag items is comparatively pure zinc. Fig. 1: A pair of candlesticks in the Paktong, or ‘white copper’, a kind of copper- HUANG Chao fluted pillar style, made of Chinese nickel or copper-nickel-zinc alloy, is usually paktong but probably manufactured in Britain, ca. the late 18th century. made into candlesticks (fig.1). Not only were Courtesy of HUANG Chao. the paktong products exported to Europe, uring the decades preceding the Qing but the technique of manufacturing paktong empire’s forced opening to the West in items was also transmitted to the West, as D1842, Canton (Guangzhou) was the only demonstrated by some 18th century lab port open for foreign trade. The Sino-Western notebooks on paktong discovered in England relations had mainly evolved around trades research into what was and Sweden. Lead, tin, and iron were usually through Canton from 1700 to 1842, a period then termed ‘Chinese export regarded as ballast cargoes or kentledge known as the ‘Era of the Canton Trade’. silver’.1 Nevertheless, metallic that were used to improve the ship’s stability Scholarship of the Canton Trade focuses commodities other than while sailing at sea. Commodities made of mainly on the trade of tea, porcelain, and silk, silver have yet to be studied these metals were much smaller in scale. yet the commercial exchange of precious and systematically. Pure copper was often imported from Japan semi-precious metallic items has been largely When conducting to Canton by the European traders. Metallic ignored. During the 18th and 19th centuries, my post-doctoral project commodities, though not a common topic large quantities of manufactured goods made ‘Trading Metals in Canton’, of research, did play a significant role in the of silver, gold, tutenag, paktong, lead, tin, as in collaboration with Professor exchanges between China and the West. I well as the raw materials, were exported from Paul A. Van Dyke, a renowned hope this short essay can stimulate more Canton to Southeast Asia, Europe, and the expert on the Canton Trade, interest in the transnational exchange of Americas. Based on archival records, including I started to pay attention to metallic commodities. journals and logbooks, and archaeological the trade of gold with Spanish discoveries from shipwrecks, this essay examines silver coins. Gold ingots were HUANG Chao is an Associate Professor the overlooked metallic items that embodied recovered from a number at the Institute of Sino-Foreign the commercial vitality and momentum of the of shipwrecks, including the Relation History, University, [email protected] transnational trade. ‘Nanking Cargo’ in Amsterdam. These ingots are impressed In 1684, the Qing court lifted the ban with marks, such as yuanji on maritime trade, reinitiating commercial the Canton Trade, ranging from studies on 元記 that denotes the maker’s name, and exchanges with the outside world. Canton, companies and merchants to that of trading numerals such as shiliang 十两 that stands located at the southeast tip of China’s routes. The trading commodities have long for weight and value. Notes coastal line, gradually grew into one of the been the subject to extensive research. Besides gold and silver, objects made most important port cities of the 18th and However, most studies are concentrated on of tutenag and paktong also constitute 1 Forbes, H. et al. 1975. Chinese Export Silver: 1785 to 1885. Massachusetts: 19th centuries, an era that witnessed the tea, silk, and porcelain. Metallic objects are a significant portion of export metallic Museum of the American China Trade. emergence of the transnational trading largely ignored. In the second half of the commodities. Tutenag is now widely accepted 2 Bonnin, A. 1924. Tutenag & Paktong, with 2 networks. The flourishing maritime trade left 20th century, H.A. Crosby Forbes and his as zinc, thanks to the study by Alfred Bonin. Notes on Other Alloys in Domestic Use a rich body of materials that offers scholars colleagues raised the awareness of export The 18th-century shipwrecks of the English during the Eighteenth Century. Oxford the opportunity to look into every aspect of metallic artifacts through their breakthrough uncovered tutenag University Press. 48 Humanities across Borders Exploring the city from the The Network Programme perspective of the people

Retelling the neighbourhood

All cities and towns contain fragments of ecological and historic landscapes that are intimately linked to spaces of human residential and livelihood settlements. When the city or town is explored from the perspective of the people, a more humanistic understanding of the local emerges. The following articles are reflections from two ‘Humanities across Borders (HaB)’-supported projects – ‘Delhi Memory Archive’ and ‘From Forest to Town: Transformation of the Commons’ – both carried out by the Centre for Community Knowledge (CCK) at Ambedkar University Delhi (AUD). Although from two different perspectives, their shared attempt is to explore the various ways in which meanings and identities are associated with the neighbourhoods that make up a city or a town. These have been enriched by exchanges with other HaB projects. We warmly invite other scholars and practitioners to share with us their experience and understanding of ‘neighbourhood’ across all dynamic socio-cultural realities.

Above: Imitation of Stayfree sanitary pads sold at the Saturday Market. Photo by Shorbori Purkayastha.

Left: Vendor measuring spices in paper bags made of old newspaper. Photo by: Shorbori Purkayastha.

Sensing the layers: notes from a weekly market

Mesha Murali

remember, as a teenager, reluctantly small and commonplace, are important in An interesting way of observing these interesting tools in exploring the concepts accompanying my mother to the weekly understanding the complexities and multi- interconnections and relationships between of space, community, gender, identity and Imarket in our neighbourhood in East Delhi layered realities of a place. people and place is through narratives class aspirations, among others. These every Thursday. In the evening, the usual and local walkabouts. In our walkabout, sensorial experiences are, however, not always shopping street would be taken over by street we noticed an exchange of money and a independent of each other. It is when layered vendors selling clothes, artificial jewellery, More than the products payment-slip between vendors and a group together that they reveal a holistic picture of utensils and miscellaneous household items of men. During an interview with the market the place and its people. To gain a meaningful and vegetables. The residents would tick items sold there pradhan [organiser], we were told that each and locally embedded understanding of a off their weekly shopping list. My mother The Shadipur Shani Bazaar is a large weekly vendor selling at the weekly market is required neighbourhood, it is important to go beyond would insist that we take our jute bags along informal market in XYZ block of Shadi-Khampur to make a token payment, ranging from Rs the simplistic or literal meaning of the senses. to make it easier to bring home a week-worth neighbourhood in West Delhi, India.1 This weekly 10-50 depending on the size of the stall. For example, when we feel a texture or touch of vegetables. To be sure, we weren’t the only market is best known for its unstitched and The pradhan uses a portion of the money a person, the full experience of 'touch' is more ones to stock-up for a week, and I would stitched fabrics. Among its many customers collected to pay off the police while the rest than just a physical feeling. spot one or two, if not more, people dragging are high-end boutique owners from West goes to the local Madrasa [Islamic educational trolley bags or suitcases across the market. Delhi, who buy fabric and embellishments institution]. The pradhan, responsible for to accessorise their products. While some space management and for handling disputes Visuals of class aspirations Almost every neighbourhood in Delhi has residents say that the market started around at the market, provides access to the colony After a close look at a stall selling cosmetic a similar weekly market that acts as a one- 1995-97, others remember its beginnings parks and streets where the vendors man products, one might very well spot a copy stop shopping destination for the residents as a small cloth market in the late 1970s, their shops between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Since of some well-known brand. With brand of nearby colonies. In the course of our to be discontinued and set-up again in the the streets are narrow, he also ensures that imitation of everyday products such as fieldwork for the Neighbourhood Museum 90s. Today, this weekly market, like others, residents move their cars out every Saturday sanitary napkins or make-up products, sold Project in 2014-15 and subsequent years, also has vendors selling food, spices, toys morning to make space for the stalls. at low prices, this market primarily, but not we developed the approach of reading the and knick-knacks. But it is much more than Visual observations such as these put exclusively, caters to customers from the city and its people through neighbourhoods the products sold there. It is also a site where together with narratives from people’s middleclass who aspire to lead a certain and sites such as weekly markets. While various interconnections between the city, memory and their experience of a place lifestyle, as a marker of upward class mobility. the site of my childhood memory is from a neighbourhoods and its people are visible at helped us understand the broader framework In conversation, a local vendor stated that the different neighbourhood, the Shadipur Shani the micro-level. These interconnections could of how spaces within a city are managed daily soaps on TV also influence the demand Bazaar (Shadipur Saturday Market) is used be that of economic co-dependence between and organised. Similarly, other sensorial for certain cosmetics. Female customers often in this article as a similar example, to explore vendors and residents or of the power dynamics observations or experiences, such as sounds, ask for products sported by their favourite how local voices and perceptions, however between genders in the market space. smells, touch and taste, also became television actors. This makes the low-cost The Newsletter No. 86 Summer 2020 49 The Network

weekly street markets a significant destination Below: Artisan Kamlabai Banskar stitches a basket, Ayodhya Basti, Pipariya, 2017, Photo from CCK archives. Adapting to market demand for imitation products. These products create The community narratives of another distribution channels and establish an eco- notified backward community, Barauaa nomic presence in society and also create Kahaar samaaj, provide further insights in the local job opportunities. matter. The samaaj traces their early caste- bound professions as water porters, fishermen and riverbed farmers. As the professions Smells like home? became obsolete, they resorted to becoming Filling the streets of the neighbourhood domestic and agricultural helpers as well as with mouth-watering aromas are food stalls undertaking odd labour such as cattle herding. selling meat, fish and vegetarian chaat As vegetable sellers, caretakers and domestic (savoury bites of fruits or potatoes). Street helpers, they had to continually navigate the vendors and customers alike visit these stalls public and personal spaces of the town and to relish their delicacies. While most vendors thus became a part of the information network prefer to save money and bring along their of the locale. The nature of their mobility own food and water, some opt for the tiffins marked itself as a somewhat familiar sight [lunchbox] of dal chawal (lentil and rice in the town over a period of time. It stands dish) or rajma chawal (kidney bean and rice in sharp contrast to the Basods who did not dish) prepared at local stalls. The latter are venture out much, except during the fairs, generally migrants in search of a livelihood in bazaars and other festivities. Today, many the big city, without access to home-cooked Barauaas have built cement houses and set up meals. While studying a marketplace, such small scale house-run-shops of their own. everyday negotiations of the workers are Unlike the Barauaas, the Basods have been often overlooked. Details such as these give a community heavily dependent on their us a better understanding of who the service Reading the silences: artisanal skills for a livelihood. The Basods’ providers/receivers are in an informal market relatively late entrance to the town coincided and from where they come. unheard stories of a town with the arrival on the market of cheap When asked whether there had been any plastic products, which only made them more visible changes in the taste preferences of vulnerable. The demand for bamboo products the customers, a resident of Shadipur told Kumar Unnayan has gone down drastically. The artisans also us, “You now get sambar (a type of South claim that the nationalisation of bamboo and Indian curry) packets and all kinds of South the government organisation of the bamboo Indian vegetables… we get a packet of mixed he growing urbanisation in India has flock to the town’s daily/weekly bazaars to sell industry has resulted in a mafia that controls cut vegetables for sambar at Rs 30…”. As the witnessed an exponential increase in vegetables, fruits, spices, pickles, dry fruits, the supply of the raw product. Naturally, they neighbourhood saw an increased influx of Tcensus towns over the past few decades. street-food, sugarcane juice, fish, broomsticks, are challenged to expand their skill-set to earn people from South India, especially Kerala, Amidst the country’s rapidly changing forest toys, wood/bamboo paraphernalia and many a living. It doesn’t come as a surprise that the market introduced new products and and farm landscapes, the rising townships are other essential commodities. Many have lived many from the new generation are unwilling staples to cater to this specific demographic. important sites of understanding everyday on the outskirts for generations and aspire to continue the work and have taken up new Interpersonal relationships, in which the social mobilities at a local and microscopic to find their feet within the urban epicentre. occupations such as playing the drums at vendors know their customers, are important level. The understanding of place-specific As he prepared the stall in the weekly Itwara wedding ceremonies or during funeral pro- aspects on which such informal markets narratives in such settlements presents us bazaar, Radheyshyam Ahirwar (66) remarked, . The latter is another caste-bound thrive. To know what will sell, one needs to with the opportunity to assemble a public- “I grew up in the nearby village of Gadaghat profession in many parts of the country. know to whom one is selling. These patterns of centric, multi-dimensional account of and worked as a farm-labourer in the fields of consumption not only hint towards a changing mobilities that draws upon the archives of upper-castes. It’s only after my son became a demographic in the neighbourhood, but also orality and memory. A pool of local narratives driver that we started selling vegetables. It pays Social mobility denied illustrate the various economic flows in the can sometimes “reveal lesser-known stories better but not enough to live in the main town”. The narratives supplement the fact that market that connect people and food. of a place and have the possibility of disadvantaged communities such as Basods disturbing meta-narratives with their access and Barauaas are continually denied a move to alternative strands of knowledge.”2 Living on the margins upwards on the social pyramid, as the Multi-layered reality While the quoted excerpt highlights a opportunities to wriggle out of caste roles Reading a place becomes more meaningful Beginning in 2017, the research project singular narrative, the equations between are often made scarce. The mobilities of when we also take note of what is absent. What ‘From Forest to Town: Narratives of social strata and mobility become more both communities are central to the town’s is it that is missing that one might find in other Transformation of the Commons’ aimed apparent in the community narratives of the transformation from the inside. Yet, it is rather similar places? Easiest to notice are the visual to look at the lived experiences of the skilled bamboo artisans of Basod samaaj.3 telling that outside their inhabitations, most absences. The Shadipur Saturday market local residents in one such town through Munnalal Banskar (62), who was joined by of the recorded local conversations remained barely has any female vendors, even though first-hand oral narratives. The narratives other samaaj members as we spoke to him, either dismissive or reluctant to delve into such markets are essential for the women were placed within an arena of tension and recounted that many Basod families moved their mobilities and struggles. In return, who manage the household. The few female struggles of several local communities and to the town from the nearby villages to escape the communities have a lot to say, but are vendors shared that the lack of local contacts the interconnectedness of their socio-cultural the atrocities of upper castes. Concentrated seldom heard. During a group conversation and inadequate facilities such as toilets were heritage. They are as much marked by a sense at the Ripta Bridge, the families have been on the significance of oral testimonies in reasons that discouraged participation. Unlike of resilience as by conflict. As private and living on the town’s peripheries for more than understanding social mobilities, a fellow male vendors, the female vendors didn’t have public memories come together, a non-linear three decades. Bamboo products such as researcher and a local resident shared an an extensive network of already established story of everyday negotiations unfolds around baskets, carpets, brooms, handheld fans, observation: “In any town, a few places are vendors that made it easier to find a place mobilities vis-à-vis power relations, caste along with barrel-shaped drums, dot the more silent than others.” in the market. While the male vendors can hierarchies and local information networks. sideways outside their huts. With insecure The many oral, informal and personal- access the public toilets located just outside access to civic amenities, their unauthorised ised narratives of a growing township such the colony, the women either have to hold it thatch roof huts are frequently bulldozed by as Pipariya can become instrumental in till they return home or rely on a resident to A bustling new town the local authorities. The community’s isolation understanding how different stakeholders be kind enough to let them use their toilet. Pipariya in Madhya Pradesh, India, lies is reflected in Munnalal’s words, “[t]here is an relate to the claims of social productions of Taking note of such absences and using them along the east-west cross country railway line old saying in our Bundeli language. ‘Once you collective pasts and present-day realities. as cues for exploration helps to unravel issues at a wide point in the Narmada valley. Long- have had a taste of the village’s water and The use of individual and community narratives of infrastructure and space management and time residents often retrace the town’s origins the city’s money, you can’t forget either of can undo the popular discourses associated the ways in which they add to the gendering to the linking of Jabalpur-Itarsi section (March them’. But we have been denied both. We were with a place. It also helps to contextualise of spaces. 1870) on the Bombay-Calcutta railway line in harassed in the village. The city has barely the local realities against the wider global My memory of being dragged to the weekly the colonial era. As a railhead brimming with paid heed to us. We have lived here for so dynamics. Understanding experiences of market is now grounded in a larger perspective. avenues of trade and commerce, it didn’t take long. My daughter got married here. My mobilities among different communities is one The above exploration attempts to break away very long for the then hamlet of Pipariya to grandchildren were born here. Yet we feel that among the many examples that emphasise from stereotypes of city neighbourhoods by attract people from the neighbouring villages we moved from one place only to become the urgency to go past the top-to-bottom researching local histories, stories and places and far-flung regions. The early Gond and invisible in the other. Isn’t this our home too?” approach to reading a place. relevant to life within a community. Studying Korku tribal inhabitants were soon joined by The Basods are one of the largest groups the flow of people, livelihoods, goods and Goojar, Marwari, Kutchi, Sindhi, Barauaa, among the state’s notified Scheduled Caste Kumar Unnayan, Senior Research commerce in Shadi-Khampur brings forth the Borah, Jain, Irani, Kanjar, Mehtar, Basod and population, and most are also landless. Their Assistant at the Centre for Community multi-layered reality of the everyday, which a number of other communities. Inevitably, experiences indicate how the local mobilities Knowledge, Ambedkar University Delhi [email protected] usually tends to be ignored in the imaginings the conjoined histories of the now bustling are regulated through the power relations of the city space. The neighbourhood thus town emerge from the multiplicity of the and information networks of the upper as becomes a site of exploring micro-histories diverse narratives of these groups. well as locally dominant caste groups. With of living in a city and how places evolve to In one of the recorded conversations, local no landholding of their own, a number of Notes accommodate the changing needs and lifestyle pulse and oil trader Kishore Shah (83), a third- low-caste communities tackle the inequitable of its residents. Using such sensorial experiences generation migrant businessman from Gujarat, challenge of making a livelihood through 1 Officially known as Maulana Abul Kalam (not limited to those mentioned above) as tools iterated that, “in the early days, this town was such networks. The failure to become a part Azad Colony, the XYZ block (known as of observation and exploration can help draw synonymous with only the railway station. It pushes them further to the margins of the such unofficially) was a resettlement our attention to the complexities and nuances still is”. Railways are a significant marker in the local demographics. They are there but yet colony for the families who lost their of everyday realities that are sometimes quaint town’s public history. But with more than never noticed. At this juncture, community homes during the demolitions that took missed in research on neighbourhoods guided two lakh registered voters, it has long ceased to ethnographies that deal with the negotiation place during the Emergency in 1975-77 in Old Delhi area. by abstract concepts alone. be a mere railhead and is now a centre of a rapid of the social fabric can operate from two 2 Sarkar, S. (unpublished) Preface, Aise growing agro-commercial economy. Pipariya tangents. While they counter the mainstream Basi Pipariya, CCK, AUD. Mesha Murali, Senior Research assembles the agricultural and farm produce of imaginations of a place/neighbourhood/ 3 Samaaj: The Hindi term is widely used Assistant at the Centre for Community the neighbouring villages. The in-flow of people community, they are also capable of becoming by the locals to refer to different caste Knowledge, Ambedkar University Delhi from these villages is a familiar sight to the local narratives of struggles and reclamation of groups, rather than to ‘society as a whole’ [email protected] populace. A fair share of small-scale vendors space by the people that inhabit them. or a voluntary association. 50 The Network IIAS Fellowship

IIAS Fellowship Programme In the spotlight The International Institute for Asian Studies annually hosts a large number of visiting researchers (research 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. Meet our fellows at www.iias.asia/fellows

urrently, I am an IIAS fellow with philosophical Arguments According (the meaning of a sentence is a function a fellowship from the J. Gonda to Pātañjalayogaśāstra and Relative of the meaning of the words in which CFoundation of the Royal Netherlands Commentaries’. I obtained my PhD in it is composed) will be employed as Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW). The Indology from the Sapienza University of interpretive schemes. city of Leiden is the ideal place to conduct Rome, Italy, for which I prepared a critical Methodologically, this research is grounded research because of its quiet yet lively edition grounded on manuscript sources, on philosophy, historical contextualism, and international atmosphere and the access the first English annotated translation intertextuality. This approach opens a research to Leiden University and its remarkable and and a study of the first Pāda of Nāgeśa path that addresses both analytical and richly furnished Asian Library. Being a fellow Bhat.t.a’s Vr.tti on Pātañjalayogaśāstra. abstract thinking, and the historical context, at IIAS not only allows me to fully focus on This present research proposal is the textual material, and other philological my research, but also provides a dynamic committed to the study of the overall issues, which are discussed insofar as they platform on which to engage and connect role and function of language [śabda], are functional to a deeper philosophical with a relevant community of inspiring with a specific focus on the sphot.a theory, understanding and are soundly grounded Rocco scholars, both at IIAS and Leiden University. namely ‘the disclosing of meaning’, in the texts and their history. Moreover, being a musician next to a which describes how meaning is conveyed The long-term aim of my research bears Cestola scholar, Leiden and the Netherlands offer and comprehended in the context of on the inclusion of classical and pre-modern plenty of opportunities to come into contact verbal communication according to South Asian philosophy of language among with stimulating artists who perform the Pātañjalayogaśāstra and relative the larger history of Global Philosophy. in a dynamic cultural landscape full commentaries. This development The goal then is not only the comparison of When the meaning is of possibilities. will be contextualised both in the domain one idea with another but the unravelling of not shut down. Language of Indian philosophy of language new philosophical paradigms, a critical and My research project covers the area (Vyākaran.a, Mīmām. sā, Nyāya, Buddhism) analytical evaluation of conceptual paradigms and word in the Yoga of Pātañjala Yoga philosophy of language. and of contemporary theories of semantics, in South Asian linguistic and philosophical Philosophy of Patañjali It carries the following title: ‘Sphot.a and where the Context Principle (only in the theories. I am committed to highlighting Śabda through Yoga śāstra of Patañjali: context of a sentence does a word have points of contact but also differences so that The Sphot.a Theory and the Linguistic- meaning) and the Composition Principle the dialogue can be an enriching experience.

IIAS Fellowship possibilities and requirements

Apply for an IIAS fellowship

The International Institute for Asian Studies (IIAS) in Leiden, the Netherlands, invites outstanding researchers to apply for an IIAS fellowship to work on a relevant piece of research in the social sciences and humanities.

Combine your IIAS fellowship with two extra months of research in Paris

When applying for an IIAS Fellowship, you have the option of simultaneously submitting an application for an additional two months of research at the Collège d’études mondiales of the Fondation Maison des sciences de l’homme (CEM-FMSH), in Paris, France, immediately after your stay in Leiden. Application deadlines The usual deadlines are 1 March and 1 October of each year. Due to the the uncertainty about the further course of Corona outbreak the application round of 1 October 2020 has been cancelled.

Apply for a Gonda fellowship

For promising young Indologists at the post-doctorate level it is possible to apply for funding with the J. Gonda Foundation of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) to spend three to six months doing research at IIAS. Application deadlines The usual deadlines are 1 April and 1 October of each year. However, due to the global uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus, no new applications will be processed for the time being. Please see the Gonda website for current information.

Information and application forms: www.iias.asia/fellowships The Newsletter No. 86 Summer 2020 51 Announcements The Network

Borderland Futures: Cultural Precarities: Reading Technologies, Zones, Independent Art Collectives Co-existences and Cultural Networks in Asia Conference postponed Joint IIAS/LASALLE In Situ Call for proposals closed Graduate School (ISGS) There will be no new call for proposals. All individual presentation, panel and Call for applications round-table proposals that have been accepted for presentation will remain in the programme. ultural networks and artist Venue: KUNCI, Study Forum and Textiles in collectives are increasingly Collective, Yogyakarta, Indonesia he 7th Asian Borderland Research Cbecoming key nodal points for Network (ABRN) conference focuses Motion & Transit cultural, social, creative and political Dates: 8-13 March 2021 Ton three key themes – technologies, intersections in Asia. Recent trends in zones, co-existences – that aim to generate Asia reveal that cultural networks and Organisation: This in-situ Graduate broader debate and intellectual engagement Conference postponed artist collectives symbiotically meet School is jointly organised by the with borderland futures. Panels and papers Call for proposals closed and inform each other. Networks International Institute for Asian Studies, will offer critical reflections on these key in Asia are a composite of artist Leiden, the Netherlands and LASALLE themes both theoretically and empirically. collectives, local/national institutional College of the Arts, Singapore, and hosted There will be no new call for proposals. /inter-governmental agencies and by the UNCI Study Forum and Collective Venue: Reconciliation & Coexistence in All individual presentation proposals that foreign agency led initiatives. Networks in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Contact Zone (RCCZ) Research Center, have been accepted for presentation demonstrate an increasing need to Chung-Ang University, Seoul, South Korea will remain in the programme. develop an inclusive methodology of work Conveners: Venka Purushothaman between artists and their communities. (LASALLE College of the Arts, Singapore). Dates: 24-26 June 2021. These are new his three-day international conference Moreover, artist collectives function as Dev Nath Pathak (South Asian University, dates as the conference was postponed will explore the lives of textiles – their cultural intermediaries engaging with India). Chen Yun (Curator and Researcher, due the Covid-19 pandemic. Tdisplacements and transformations communities, governments or government- China). Syafiatudina (KUNCI, Indonesia). – within the Asia-Pacific region as well as linked agencies to advocate for cultural Organisers: Reconciliation & Coexistence in between the region and the rest of the world. inclusivity in economic and social The conveners will organise a series of Contact Zone (RCCZ) Research Center, Seoul, development and to facilitate artist studies in practice, using the environment South Korea. International Institute for Asian Venue: Leiden, the Netherlands mobility across other networks and of the city of Yogyakarta and its rural Studies (IIAS), Leiden, the Netherlands. Asian collectives. surroundings where many Indonesian Borderlands Research Network (ABRN). Date: This conference has been This ISGS invites artists, social networks and collectives are located. postponed due the Covid-19 pandemic. sciences and humanities graduate Participants will be exposed to a range Registration: Registration is required for all New dates will be announced in students (doctoral and research master’s), of artists, local art spaces and sites of conference participants, including individual September/October 2020. independent researchers, cultural cultural engagement to test their methods papers presenters, panel participants and practitioners and ‘artivists’ to deliberate and practices, enabling them to undergo observers. Students and scholars affiliated Organisers: International Institute for on the various intersections of artistic a critique of their personal research projects with the Reconciliation & Coexistence in Asian Studies (IIAS), Leiden, the Netherlands. practice and networks and to foster in this field. The conveners and participants Contact Zone (RCCZ) Research Center are Tracing Patterns Foundation, Berkeley, dialogue on the emergence of independent will function as co-learners to develop new eligible for a waiver of the registration fee. California, USA. Textile Research Centre, cultural networks in Asia. This ISGS calls paradigms to appreciate the developing field. Leiden, the Netherlands. for the necessary and vital understanding Conference website of ‘flow’ between networks and within Call for applications: https://asianborderlands.net Registration: Registration and registration networks, their short-lived, ‘precarious’ https://www.iias.asia/masterclasses/ fee payment will reopen once the new character, and above all, their situatedness cultural-precarities conference dates have been announced. within communities. This ISGS aims to Deadline: 1 July 2020 establish a critical reading of current For additional details about applications, More information developments in art networks in Asia registration fee and financial support https://www.iias.asia/events/textiles- thereby contributing to a body of emerging consult the relevant sections on our motion-transit works. ‘Conversations’ with artists and website. cultural activists will be a key method The co-organisers reserve the right to of inquiry for the participants, so as to modify the dates and general conditions Above: Detail of an embroidered panel with lines of develop an appreciation of the complex of the ISGS should its logistics and safety multi-coloured inter-connecting diamonds of various inter-relatedness between art, history of the participants be affected by the sizes. Hazara, Afghanistan. Courtesy of the Textile and politics. COVID-19 pandemic. Research Centre, Leiden, the Netherlands.

ICAS Book Prize 2021 The new Call for submissions IIAS webinars ICAS 12 - Crafting The ICAS Book Prize 2021 is open for a Global Future submissions! Read more about the ICAS ‘Greetings from Jakarta’, ‘Greetings Book Prize on pages 4-9 of this issue. Call for proposals from Kansas’, ‘Greetings from Finland’. ICAS Book Prize 2021 Follow the submission guidelines at: These were just some of the messages that https://icas.asia/icas-book-prize-2021 he 12th International Convention of popped up in the chat box during our first Deadline: 1 October 2020 Asia Scholars (ICAS 12) will be held (deadline may vary for some Tin Kyoto, the cultural heart of Japan, webinar by IIAS fellow Joppan George. of the language editions) from 24-27 August 2021. Kyoto Seika University (SEIKA) will be the main host of ICAS 12. Participate at ICAS 12 in Kyoto he COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting these webinars alternated with those from and enjoy a multitude of networking lockdown of the IIAS office forced us to the IIAS/UKNA Asian Cities Presentation Series, opportunities, possibilities to share your Tquickly rethink the format of our existing by Marion Sabrié and Creighton Connolly. research, meet with publishers, and lunch lectures, in which our fellows and other Browse our Youtube channel, and make sure participate in cultural activities. scholars ‘used to’ present their work at our to subscribe so you don’t miss any future institute in Leiden. The idea to continue our episodes: https://tinyurl.com/IIASYoutube ICAS 12 Full call for proposals and submissions portal at: lectures, to stay connected to our network and The IIAS lunch lectures at our Leiden https://icas.asia/icas12-cfp our fellows, soon evolved into the launching office were available to only a local audience, of our new online lecture series. And we but now everyone with an internet connection Deadline: 1 October 2020 are thrilled that the webinars have thus far has the opportunity to join in. All webinars been received with great enthusiasm by our are announced in our online events calendar speakers and participants. at https://www.iias.nl/events. Joining is easy; The first lecture by Joppan was soon followed just register and we will send you the login by talks from our IIAS fellows Preeti Chopra, details. You are just an easy click away to Rocco Cestola and Gul-i-Hina Shahzad; learn, meet and exchange. 52 The Network Research

he Urban Knowledge Network Asia (UKNA) is an inclusive network that Tbrings together concerned scholars and practitioners engaged in collaborative IIAS Research, Urban Knowledge research and events on cities in Asia. It seeks to influence policy by contributing insights Network Asia (UKNA) that put people at the centre of urban governance and development strategies. Networks, The UKNA Secretariat is at IIAS, but the network comprises universities and planning institutions across China, India, Southeast Asia and Europe. Its current flagship project and Initiatives is the Southeast Asia Neighbourhoods Network (SEANNET).

www.ukna.asia IIAS research and other initiatives Coordinator: Paul Rabé [email protected] are carried out within a number Clusters: Asian Cities; Asian Heritages of thematic, partially overlapping research clusters in phase with contemporary Asian currents and EANNET is about research, teaching built around the notion of social and dissemination of knowledge Son Asia through the prism of the Southeast Asia agency. In addition, IIAS remains neighbourhood. The programme is supported by a grant from the Henry Neighborhoods open to other potentially significant Luce Foundation, NY (2017-2020). topics. More information: Through case study sites in six selected Network (SEANNET) cities in Southeast Asia (Mandalay, www.iias.asia Chiang Mai, Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City, Manila, Surabaya), SEANNET seeks to engages the humanistic social sciences combination of participatory field-research, in a dialogue with urban stakeholders in-situ roundtables, workshops, conferences, as co-contributors of alternative knowledge publications and new forms of pedagogy IIAS research clusters about cities. This is done through a developed in collaboration with local institutions of learning. SEANNET’s second ambition is to help shape and empower Asian Cities a community of early-career scholars and This cluster deals with cities and urban practitioners working on and from Southeast cultures with their issues of flows and fluxes, Asia. SEANNET’s research teams comprise ideas and goods, and cosmopolitism and international and local scholars, students connectivity at their core, framing the existence from local universities, and civil society of vibrant ‘civil societies’ and political micro- representatives, all working together with cultures. Through an international knowledge the neighbourhood residents. network, IIAS aims to create a platform for scholars and urban practitioners focusing on www.ukna.asia/seannet Asian cities ‘in context’ and beyond traditional Coordinators: Paul Rabé western norms of knowledge. [email protected] and Rita Padawangi Singapore University of Social Sciences Asian Heritages [email protected] This cluster focuses on the uses of culture and Cluster: Asian Cities cultural heritage practices in Asia. In particular, it addresses a variety of definitions associated with cultural heritage and their implications for social agency. The cluster engages with a broad range of related concepts and issues, including the contested assertions of ‘tangible’ and ‘intangible’, concepts such as ‘authenticity’, The Forum on Health, Environment ‘national heritage’ and ‘shared heritage’, and, in general, with issues pertaining to the political and Development (FORHEAD) economy of heritage.

Global Asia The Forum on Health, Environment and Asia has a long history of transnational Development (FORHEAD) is an interdisciplinary linkages with other parts of the world, thereby Inetwork that brings together natural, medical shaping the global order, as much as the world and social scientists to explore the implications at large continues to shape Asia. The Global of environmental and social change for public Asia Cluster addresses contemporary issues health in China and beyond. related to Asia’s projection into the world as well as trans-national interactions within the Asian www.iias.asia/programmes/forhead region itself. In addition IIAS aims to help develop Coordinator: Jennifer Holdaway a more evenly balanced field of Asian Studies [email protected] by collaborating in trans-regional capacity Cluster: Global Asia building initiatives and by working on new types of methodological approaches that encourage 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 in Taiwan and one at Yonsei University in South Double Degree in Korea. Discussions with other possible partners in Asia are ongoing. The programme offers Critical Heritage Studies selected students the opportunity to follow a full year study at one of the partner institutes of Asia and Europe 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.asia/programmes/critical- heritage-studies Coordinator: Elena Paskaleva [email protected] Cluster: Asian Heritages The Newsletter No. 86 Summer 2020 53 Research The Network

Asian Borderlands Research Network (ABRN)

Leiden Centre for Humanities across Indian Ocean Studies his network focuses particularly on the border regions Borders: Asia & Africa between South Asia, Central/East and Southeast Asia. TThe concerns are varied, ranging from migratory move- in the World ments, transformations in cultural, linguistic and religious he Leiden Centre for Indian Ocean practices, to ethnic mobilisation and conflict, marginalisation, Studies brings together people and and environmental concerns. ABRN organises a conference Tmethods to study the ‘Indian Ocean in one of these border regions every two years in co-operation World’, aiming to co-organize conferences, with a local partner. workshops and academic exchanges with The 7th ABRN conference, Borderland Futures: Technologies, institutions from the region. Together with o-funded by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Zones, Co-existences. will take place in Seoul, South Korea, IIAS, the Centre facilitates an inclusive and (New York, USA) this IIAS programme (2017-2021) 24-26 June 2021. global platform bringing together scholars Cfor global collaboration on humanistic education is and institutions working on connections carried out by a consortium of twenty-three leading institutes www.asianborderlands.net and comparisons across the axis of human in Asia, West Africa, Europe and the United States, and their Coordinator: Erik de Maaker interaction with an interest in scholarship local partners in Asia and Africa. Its goal is to mobilise the [email protected] that cuts across borders of places, periods development of a global consortium of universities and their Cluster: Global Asia and disciplines. local partners interested in fostering humanities-grounded education. Its substantive vision is that of an inclusive and www.iias.asia/programmes/leiden- expanded humanities. To this end, the program will initiate centre-indian-ocean-studies methodological interventions in teaching and research Cluster: Global Asia to surpass narrow disciplinary, institutional and ideological agendas. The programme facilitates border-crossing meetings, workshops and other collaborative pedagogical formats in Energy Programme its partner geographies. Jointly conducted, these events aim to shape a curricular matrix and framework for humanistic Asia (EPA) education across borders. The New Silk Road. Follow the stories on the Humanities across Borders Blog humanitiesacrossborders.org/blog he new joint research programme between IIAS-EPA China's Belt and Road and the Institute of World Politics and Economy of the www.iias.asia/hab TChinese Academy of Social Sciences in Beijing is entitled Initiative in Context Clusters: Global Asia; Asian Heritages The Political Economy of the Belt & Road Initiative and its Reflections. It aims to investigate the policy, policy tools, and impacts of China’s Belt and Road Initiative. By focusing on China's involvement with governments, local institutions, he International Institute for Asian and local stakeholders, it aims to examine the subsequent Studies has recently started a new responses to China’s activities from the local to the global- Tproject of interdisciplinary research Africa-Asia, geopolitical level in the following countries: Kazakhstan, aimed at the study of the Belt and Road Turkmenistan, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Ethiopia, Initiative of the Chinese government, with A New Axis of Hungary, the West Balkans, and Russia. special attention given to the impact of the ‘New Silk Road’ on countries, regions and Knowledge www.iias.asia/programmes/energy-programme-asia peoples outside of China. Coordinator: M. Amineh [email protected], [email protected] www.iias.asia/programmes/newsilkroad Cluster: Global Asia Cluster: Global Asia frica-Asia, A New Axis of Knowledge’ is an inclusive transnational platform that convenes scholars, artists, ‘A intellectuals, and educators from Africa, Asia, Europe, and beyond to study, discuss, and share knowledge on the intricate connections and entanglements between the African and Asian world regions. Our aim is to contribute to the long-term establishment of an autonomous, International intellectual and academic community of individuals and institutions between two of the world’s most vibrant Convention of Asia continents. We aspire to facilitate the development of research and educational infrastructures in African and Scholars (ICAS) Asian universities, capable of delivering foundational knowledge in the two regions about one another’s cultures and societies. This exchange, we believe, is a prerequisite for a sustainable and balanced socio-economic progress of the two continents. It is also an opportunity to move ith its biennial conferences, Eleven conventions have been held since 1997 beyond the Western-originated fields of Asian and International Convention of Asia (Leiden, Berlin, Singapore, Shanghai, Kuala African area studies—something that would benefit WScholars (ICAS) is the largest Lumpur, Daejon, Honolulu, Macao, Adelaide, Asian, African and Western scholars alike. global forum for academics and civil society Chiang Mai and Leiden). exchange on Asia. Founded in 1997 at the www.africasia.org initiative of IIAS, ICAS serves as a platform ICAS 12 will be held in Kyoto, Japan, Cluster: Global Asia for scholars, social and cultural leaders, and 24-27 August 2021. institutions focusing on issues critical to Asia, and, by implication, the rest of the world. Website: www.icas.asia The ICAS biennial conferences are organised IIAS/ICAS secretariat: in cooperation with local universities, cities Paul van der Velde [email protected] and institutions and attended by scholars and other experts, institutions and publishers 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 in Chinese, English, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish; and for PhD Theses in English. 54 Exhibition: Forgotten Faces Can art be a form The Portrait Charles B. Wang Center, Stony Brook of historical truth?

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Can art be a form of historical truth?

EXHIBITION Forgotten Faces: Visual Presentation of Trauma and Mass Killing in Asia 2 DATE 25 Aug – 12 Dec 2020

LOCATION Fig. 1: Kim Hak, Kettle and Chicken (2014). Charles B. Wang Center, Stony Brook 50 (H) x 70 (W) cm. C-Print. Fig. 2: Kumi Yamashita, University, New York Someone Else's Mess (detail) (1997). 94 1/2 (H) x 59 (W) inches each (a total of 8 pieces). Military boot prints on bed linens. Courtesy of More on the exhibition’s website, including the virtual the artist. exhibition launched because of the current pandemic and Fig. 3: Federico Borella, Widow of the Late Farmer the center’s temporary closure: https://www.stonybrook. (2001). 70 (H) x 70 (W) cm. Print on Hahnemuhle paper. edu/commcms/wang/exhibitions/index.php Courtesy of the artist. 3

n 2020, the world is experiencing the In the twentieth century, even within Stony Brook University’s Charles B. Wang population. Although forty-five years have reality of mass death in a way we have recent memory, mass killings and genocides Center presents Forgotten Faces: Visual passed, little can escape the all-seeing lens of Inever before. For many people, the have occurred in many Asian countries, Presentation of Trauma and Mass Killing the photographer, as Cambodian photographer Holocaust and other mass killings are either especially as colonial empires began to in Asia, an exhibition that will run from Kim Hak demonstrates with his series Alive. Kim part of a heavy, dark past or are events that collapse after World War II and as Cold 25 August through 12 December 2020. looks for survivors of the genocide scattered took place in distant countries. They are War tensions escalated. These include It features artists Kim Hak (Cambodia), around the world and illuminates the pain out of sight, out of mind, from our daily lives. Taiwan's 2.28 massacre (1947); South Kumi Yamashita (Japan), Federico Borella of those victimized by state violence. His But the coronavirus (Covid-19) has changed Korea's Jeju massacre (1948); China’s (Italy), Lim Ok-Sang (South Korea), Noh evocative photographs capture victims’ personal this. The pandemic has struck nearly every Great Leap Forward and the resulting Suntag (South Korea), Choi Byungsoo belongings, items they risked their very lives to country around the globe, from advanced famine (1958–1962); the Indonesian (South Korea), Jung Min-gi (South Korea), protect against Khmer Rouge’s destructive vision economies to vulnerable populations. mass killings (1965–1966); the Bangladesh Lee Yunyop (South Korea), Yi Seung-jun for a utopian Cambodia under communism. The current omnipresent fear can serve genocide (1971); and Cambodia’s killing (South Korea) and Gary Byung-seok Kam These trivial items hold immense historical as a reminder of forgotten civilian deaths fields (1975–1979). Cultural representations (South Korea), Tenzing Rigdol (Tibet), Tung and emotional weight – death, fear, anxiety, and sufferings that we never cared for that convey victims’ experiences of these Min-Chin (Taiwan), and Joe Sacco (United confusion, and a struggle for life and survival: or knew about. traumatic events are quite rare, especially States). Forgotten Faces traces the cultural English-language books and family photos in the West. In contrast to the massive phenomenon of mass killings and political that risk exposing an individual's identity, small visual representations and remembrances of trauma in Asia. Buddha statues that could be hidden in one’s the Holocaust, many of the aforementioned In 1975, the Khmer Rouge army began palm, a kettle used to cook a stolen chicken, tragedies are disappearing into the fog its brutal rule over Cambodia, which would among others. Each of these pieces memorialize of time, leaving little to no mark in history last for almost four years. During this brief the two million souls murdered in Pol Pot’s or wider global public memory. period, it would kill a quarter of Cambodia's march toward ideological purity. (Fig. 1) The Newsletter No. 86 Summer 2020 55 The Portrait

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Fig. 4: Lim Ok-Sang, Tide of Candles II (2017). 300 (H) x 900 (W) cm (a total of 55 canvases). Mixed media on canvas. Courtesy of the artist.

Fig. 5: Choi Byungsoo, Made in Korea Blade (2018). 67 (H) x 56 (W) cm. Metal. Courtesy of the artist.

Fig. 6: Jung Min-gi, A Country Where Mothers Mourn (2020). 158 (H) x 400 (W) cm. Sumi ink, acrylic paint, and free- motion quilting machine sewing on canvas.

Fig. 7: Tung Min-Chin, The Birth of a New Hero II (2008). 52 (H) x 38 (W) x 38 (D) cm. Wood. Courtesy of the artist.

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War seems almost inevitable in our Italian photographer Federico Borella enormous protests eventually resulted increasingly fragmented, dehumanized world. sheds light on this different kind of tragedy, in the impeachment and ouster of South 7 Yet Kumi Yamashita rescues traces of humanity one of environmental and societal disaster Korean president Park Geun-hye. Six Korean in art that challenges this status quo. In her in Tamil Nadu, India. A five-degree increase artists – Lim Ok-Sang, Noh Suntag, Choi work, she shows how art can shift our focus to in temperature does not sound like much, but Byungsoo, Jung Min-gi, Yi Seung-jun and civilian victims and their suffering, as well as it can have extraordinary effects on climate Gary Byung-seok Kam – use their art as and social services, increasing the fragility how art can provoke deep questions regarding and, accordingly, agriculture. Farmers in this an outlet to process this kind of communal of all our lives as our communities wither. pain, trauma, and atrocity. Yamashita painted region face ever worsening conditions and trauma, a trauma that can lead to larger This individualized instability makes it much several large portraits of children on large droughts that are devastating their livelihoods political action and social justice. Lim Ok- harder to collectively tackle these problems cotton bedsheets. Although the bedsheets’ and their communities. A combination of Sang’s mural-like painting, Tide of Candles and meet the basic needs of citizens, invest floral patterns speak of comfort and warmth, low farm yields, falling agricultural prices, II (2017), depicts the nonviolent candlelight in our societies, and provide for current and Yamashita betrays any feelings of security limited labor, lack of government support, vigils that were held every week in Seoul over future generations. This increases the chances by creating the brilliantly executed faces with and difficulties repaying large debts have a six-month period. The painting, consisting of mass killings, whether through capitalistic ‘muddy’ prints from military boots. In a subtle led to an astonishingly high rate of suicide, of fifty-five canvases, contains the pain of negligence or through the slow rotting of yet powerful way, she points to the often a rate that continues to rise. Borella eschews millions of rally participants. (Fig. 4) Choi rights and necessary services. overlooked and most vulnerable victims of violent or graphic content, instead vividly Byungsoo seamlessly blends absurdity with Taiwanese artist Tung Min-Chin’s war: children. She indicates how war tramples capturing the despair of widows whose farmer the Sewol ferry tragedy in his Made in Korea defy the impossibility of representation of real innocents in the reckless pursuit of glory and husbands have taken their own lives. This is Blade (2018). (Fig. 5) His sculpture of a child massacres and posttraumatic expression. how trauma becomes part of a person, a a slow catastrophe, a mass killing brought teetering on the edge of an enlarged razor Tung, in his art, creates a complementary and metaphor brought to visual life in children’s on by a globalized society that values profit blade bitterly criticizes the South Korean contradictory sense of witnessing. On the one features created by and smeared with the above all else. Borella reveals the awful government for its focus on commerce and hand, his work bears witness to the physical boots of battle. (Fig. 2) negligence caused by rapid industrialization trade at the expense of its underfunded reality of a historical event; on the other hand, Perhaps an even more horrifying thought and environmental degradation in his welfare system. The cheerful posture and it shows the inner psychological reality of the is that mass killings are not bygone events photography. (Fig. 3) gestures of the girl belie the piece’s darker event’s aftermath. In his The Birth of a New of the twentieth century. Unstable national Let’s move from rural India to urban South metaphors. Jung Min-gi portrays deep Hero II (2008), Tung expresses his mastery systems, capitalism, globalization, social and Korea. In 2014, the MV Sewol sank, killing scars, terrible sorrows, betrayal, anger, of woodcarving, revealing a figure trapped economic inequality, and growing ecological 304 out of a total of 476 passengers, many and despair by casting powerful images inside the wood. The smoothly polished pieces challenges put us in danger on a scale never of them schoolchildren. Yet this tragedy on canvas with extraordinary technical distill fear, becoming a visual metaphor of the before seen, while also making it more difficult had wider repercussions. Investigations led virtuosity using ink, paint, and free-motion broader problem of representing mass killings, to address and eliminate these problems. These to the discovery of failure and negligence quilting. His four-meter-long A Country as well as the deforming effects of pain on contemporary conditions are accelerating more by companies and government authorities Where Mothers Mourn (2020) depicts the representation. (Fig. 7) indiscriminate genocide of peoples and cultures. on numerous levels. Public outrage and faces of the forgotten victims. (Fig. 6) These works are not limited to any country The Oscar-nominated documentary In or people. They are facets of a larger story, the Absence (2018) is also part of the exhibit. one we are all part of. The visual records Directed by Yi Seungjun and produced by of the wounded and the dead cannot be Gary Byung-Seok Kam, it asks damning contained in just words, and perhaps not even questions about the absence of any rescue in images. Through this exhibition, I hope that operations or first responders in the Sewol many forgotten massacres, those that have ferry incident, set against images of the ferry taken place in the past and those that are disappearing beneath the waves. However, the ongoing, will be remembered, and we take the Sewol ferry incident cannot be regarded solely opportunity to aspire to a better, more just as a Korean event. It should be considered world. There is no exception to human rights. part of a global phenomenon of vulnerable people falling victim to larger forces in Jinyoung A. Jin, modern society. As capital, goods, trade, and Director of Cultural Programs information zip back and forth across borders at the Charles B. Wang Center and curator of this exhibit 6 and oceans, governments around the world [email protected] are hollowing out their social safety nets 56 The Adspace

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Publishing timely and in-depth JOURNAL OF CONTEMPORARY ASIA analyses of major developments in A Journal on Contemporary contemporary China and overseas China Studies Chinese communities Editor: Tak-Wing Ngo RECENT SPECIAL ISSUES University of Macau The Politics of Caste in India’s New Land Wars, 50(5), 2020 Special issue on rural urbanization (vol. 34, no. 2) Guest edited by Elena Meyer-Clement and Jesper Willaing Zeuthen Legacies of the Cold War in East and Southeast Asia, 50(4), 2020 • Introduction Marxist Perspectives on East Asia in the China’s rural urbanization and the state: Putting the countryside rst? Global Economy, 50(2), 2020 Elena Meyer-Clement and Jesper Willaing Zeuthen • Articles Years of Progressive Publishing Two Decades ofReformasi in Indonesia: An Illiberal Turn?, 49(5), 2019 LLocal alliances in rural urbanization: Land transfer in contemporary China Editor-in-Chief: Kevin Hewison Ray Yep The University of North Carolina at Chapel Precarious Work, Precarious Lives: The Hill and University of Macau Nature and Experience of Precarity in Rural urbanization under Xi Jinping: From rapid community building to steady urbanization? Asia, 49(4), 2019 Elena Meyer-Clement Checkpoint Politics in Cross-border Exchanges, 49(2), 2019 Rescaling China’s rural–urban frontier: Exception as norm in the access to Party-State Governance and Rule in Laos, 48(5), 2018 development Crisis, Populism and Right-wing Politics in Asia, 48(4), 2018 JesJesper Willaing Zeuthen Leveraging land values for rural development in China after the Sichuan earthquake Who Governs and How? Non-State Actors and Transnational Governance in Jessica Wilczak Southeast Asia, 48(2), 2018 The pursuit of new citizenship by peri-urban residents in China: Status, rights, and Malaysia and China in a Changing Region: Essays in Honour of Professor Lee individual choice Poh Ping, 47(5), 2017 Dong Wang and Flemming Christiansen Interpreting Communal Violence in Myanmar, 47(3), 2017 FFrom authoritarian development to totalist urban reordering: The Daxing forced evictions case Military, Monarchy and Repression: Assessing Thailand’s Authoritarian Turn, Eva Pils 46(3), 2016

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