Connectedness to Cultural Heritage Among Generations of Abruzzese Italians from Griffith NSW
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COPYRIGHT AND USE OF THIS THESIS This thesis must be used in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968. Reproduction of material protected by copyright may be an infringement of copyright and copyright owners may be entitled to take legal action against persons who infringe their copyright. Section 51 (2) of the Copyright Act permits an authorized officer of a university library or archives to provide a copy (by communication or otherwise) of an unpublished thesis kept in the library or archives, to a person who satisfies the authorized officer that he or she requires the reproduction for the purposes of research or study. The Copyright Act grants the creator of a work a number of moral rights, specifically the right of attribution, the right against false attribution and the right of integrity. You may infringe the author’s moral rights if you: - fail to acknowledge the author of this thesis if you quote sections from the work - attribute this thesis to another author - subject this thesis to derogatory treatment which may prejudice the author’s reputation For further information contact the University’s Director of Copyright Services sydney.edu.au/copyright Connectedness to cultural heritage among generations of Abruzzese Italians from Griffith NSW Raffaella Lina Rapone Thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of MPhil in the Department of Italian Studies The University of Sydney August 2014 i DEDICATION This thesis is dedicated to my grandfather, my father and the many other migrants from the Abruzzo region of Italy. The motivation for this work emanates from a strong desire to keep the memory of them alive. ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to express my sincere gratitude for their practical assistance and motivational support to: Annalies van Westenbrugge, whose encouragement and support knew no bounds. The participant cohort, who willingly and enthusiastically gave me their time and made the interview process such a pleasant experience. My friends and colleagues, especially those in the Italian Department, whose camaraderie made completing my thesis a fun filled and enlightening experience. Dr Antonia Rubino who patiently provided ongoing guidance, supervision and support. Thank you all, I can honestly say that as a result of completing my thesis I am a more scholarly person with an enhanced love for learning that will never be diminished. iii ABSTRACT This thesis centres on the concept of connectedness to Italian cultural heritage for second and subsequent generations of descendants. The study uses semi-structured interviews with participants to investigate cultural identity for the descendants of migrants, the meaning and value attached to such identity, and how these identities, once formed, may change, be maintained and transmitted among generations. The participants who inform this study are descendants of Italian migrants from the Abruzzo region in Italy who settled and raised their families in the town of Griffith in southwest NSW. Questions are investigated a) within the particular context of a rural community with a strong Italian presence (that is, Griffith), (b) within a particular regional group (that is, descendants of Abruzzese migrants), and (c) among different generations (that is, participants who had a parent, grandparent or a great grandparent who were of Italian origin). This study explores six factors that work towards forming a sense of connectedness, namely: the family, cultural manifestations of Italian identity, visits to Italy, interaction with family in Italy, Italian language and dialect, and intermarriage. These factors rove the discussion with participants and were the basis of analysis. Findings indicate that to varying degrees participants have maintained a connection to their cultural heritage. What distinguishes them is the different connotations placed on the manifestations of that connectedness. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter 1 Italian Migration to Australia Page 1.1 Introduction 1 1.2 Aim of the study 3 1.3 Italian immigration to Australia: an overview 5 1.4 Abruzzo region as a land of emigration 9 1.5 Italian migration to Australia: a national perspective 12 1.5.1 The pre-World War I period 13 1.5.1.1 Impact of legislation on Italian migration to Australia (1901-1945) 17 1.5.1.2 Growth in the numbers of Italians in Australia 19 1.5.2 Post-World War II mass migration 21 1.6 Italian migration to New South Wales and Sydney 24 1.7 The town of Griffith: patterns of settlement 27 1.7.1 Early white explorers 28 1.7.2 Soldier settlers 31 1.7.3 The physical growth of Griffith 32 1.8 Italian migration to Griffith: an overview 34 1.8.1 The Italians in Griffith: patterns of migration 37 1.8.2 Adapting to a new environment 41 1.8.3 Maintaining a connection with Italian culture in Griffith 47 1.8.4 Maintaining the Abruzzese heritage in Griffith 49 v Chapter 2 THEORECTICAL FRAMEWORK 2.1 Introduction 51 2.2 Historical perspectives of immigrant behaviours 54 2.2.1 Early studies on Italian migration to Australia 55 2.2.2 An alternative to assimilation and acculturation 59 2.2.3 The advancement of collective identities 59 2.2.4 Loss of culture among descendants of Italians in Australia 61 2.2.5 Second and subsequent generations 62 2.2.6 What do the descendants of migrants learn from their parents/ grandparents? 66 2.3 Transnationalism as a component of migration and identity discourse 70 2.4 Intergenerational cultural transmission and continuity 74 2.5 Connectedness to cultural heritage as applied in the study 78 2.5.1 The family 80 2.5.2 Cultural manifestations of Italian identity 83 2.5.3 Visits to Italy 85 2.5.4 Interactions with family in Italy 89 2.5.5 Italian language and dialect 91 2.5.5.1 Italian dialects in the Australian context 95 2.5.5.2 Loss of Italian language in the Australian context 97 2.5.6 Intermarriage 100 2.5.6.1 Marriage patterns of Italians in Griffith 106 2.6 Concluding comments 109 vi CHAPTER 3 RESEARCH METHODOLGY 3.1 Introduction 110 3.2 General approach 110 3.3 The interview process 116 3.4 Choice and recruitment of participants 120 3.5 Pilot interviews 122 3.6 Role of researcher 123 3.7 The participants 127 3.8 Criteria for analysis 131 CHAPTER 4 ANALYSIS 4.1 Introduction 133 4.2 The family 136 4.2.1 The oldest participants 137 4.2.2 The middle participants 144 4.2.3 The youngest participants 150 4.2.4 Negotiating between Italian and Anglo Australian cultures 158 4.2.5 Concluding comments 162 4.3 Abruzzese/paesani and Italian community network 162 4.3.1 Concluding comments 172 4.4 Cultural manifestations of Italian identity 173 4.4.1 Pride and national identity for the oldest participants 175 4.4.2 Pride and national identity for the middle participants 178 4.4.3 Pride and national identity for the youngest participants 180 4.4.4 Concluding comments 181 vii 4.5 References to culturally specific activities 183 4.6 Visits to Italy 189 4.7 Interaction with family in Italy 192 4.8 Italian language and dialect 197 4.8.1 The oldest participants 197 4.8.2 The middle participants 200 4.8.3 The youngest participants 202 4.8.4 Concluding comments 205 4.9 Naming practices 206 4.10 Intermarriage 212 4.10.1 The oldest participants 213 4.10.2 The middle participants 215 4.10.3 The youngest participants 215 4.10.4 Concluding comments 220 CHAPTER 5 DISCUSSION, FINAL CONSIDERATIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR FURTHER RESEARCH 5.1 Introduction 221 5.2 Connectedness to Italian cultural heritage 224 viii LIST OF TABLES Table 1: Italian born living in Australia at the time of the 1901 Census 19 Table 2: Italian born migrants to Australia (1996 -2011 Census data) 23 Table 3: Comparative ancestry census data (2006-2011 Census data) 24 Table 4: Italian born residents 24 Table 5: Rates of in-marriage among Italians in Australia (1908-1982) by gender and volume of marriage 103 Table 6: Marriage patterns in Griffith (1920-1954) 107 Table 7: Participant profile 128 Table 8: Participants in Cluster One 137 Table 9: Participants in Cluster Two 144 Table 10 Participants in Cluster Three 151 Table 11: Marriage profile of participants 213 Table 12: Marriage profile of the oldest participants 214 Table 13: Marriage profile of middle participants 216 MAPS Map 1: Italy with Abruzzo region shaded 2 Map 2: Australia with location of Griffith shaded 2 Map 3: Four provinces that form the Abruzzo region 9 Map 4: Province of L’Aquila 12 Map 5: From Italy to Australia 16 Map 6: Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area including Griffith with insert displaying national perspective 27 Map 7: Griffith and Surrounding Villages 32 Map 8 Griffith southwest NSW 45 ix IMAGES Image 1: Coro Club 7 Image 2: Yoogali Club 7 Image 3: Italian Museum and Cultural Centre 8 Image 4: Scalabrini Village Griffith 8 Image 5: Griffith Heritage Trail Brochure 26 Image 6: A poster celebrating 100 years of irrigation 2012 29 Image 7: An early advertising poster. Source: Images of the M.I.A 30 Image 8: Press photograph of bocce at the Catholic Club, Yoogali 48 Image 9: Photos of Italian couples of the 1940s and 1950s 108 Image 10: A village in Abruzzo 188 Image11: Wine grape harvesting in Griffith 188 APPENDICES Appendix 1: Circular letter/email 253 Appendix 2: Pilot interview guide 254 Appendix 3: Revised interview guide 256 x CHAPTER 1 ITALIAN MIGRATION TO AUSTRALIA 1.1 Introduction At the core of the material that follows is the premise that when someone makes a journey there is a story to tell.