THE SOCIAL CONSTRUCTION OF A COLLECTIVE "LNDIIUV" ETHNO- RELIGIOUS IDENTITY IN A CONTEXT OF ETHNTC DIVERSITY: A CASE STUDY OF AN LNDO-CARtBBEGV MINDU TEMPLE IN TORONTO A thesis subrnined in conforrnity with the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Graduate Department of Sociology University of Toronto (c) Copyright by Simboonath Singh ( 1997) National Library Bibliothèque nationale 1*1 of Canada du Canada Acquisitions and Acquisitions et Bibliographic Services services bibliographiques 395 Wellington Street 395. rue Wellington OttawaON K1AON4 Ottawa ON KIA ON4 Canada Canada The author has granted a non- L'auteur a accordé une licence non exclusive licence allowing the exclusive permettant à la National Library of Canada to Bibliothèque nationale du Canada de reproduce, loan, distnbute or sel1 reproduire, prêter, distribuer ou copies of this thesis in microfom, vendre des copies de cette thèse sous paper or electronic formats. la forme de rnicrofiche/film, de reproduction sur papier ou sur format électronique. The author retains ownership of the L'auteur conserve la propriété du copyright in this thesis. Neither the droit d'auteur qui protège cette thèse. thesis nor substantial extracts fiom it Ni la thèse ni des extraits substantiels rnay be printed or otherwise de celle-ci ne doivent être imprimés reproduced without the author's ou autrement reproduits sans son permission. autorisation. The Social Constmction of a Coilective " Indian" Ethno-Religious Identity in a Context of Ethnic Diversity: A Case Study of an Indo-Caribbean Hindu Temple in Toronto Simboonath Sin& Department of Sociology University of Toronto ABSTRACT The direct face-to-face encounters between Indo-Caribbeans and their estranged ancestral South Asian "cousins" have not only resulted in the gradua1 transformation of the traditionai Indo-Caribbean ethnic identity, but have also created the conditions for the development of a new "Indian" identity in the Canadian diaspora. In this study, 1 have exarnined the consequences of this "meeting-up" and the impact that it has had (or is currently having) on ethnic identification among Indo-Caribbeans. The construction of ethnic identity and culture is the result of both convention and innovation - a diaiectic played out by ethnic goups for reshaping and redefining cthnic self-conceptions and culture. The Hindu mandir exmined in this thesis was characterized by a synchretistic fusion of Indo-Caribbean and South Asian cultural traditions, and this has resulted in the emergence of a new and second diasporic Indo-Caribbean ethnic identity: an identity that takes the form of an iniaginary South Asian Indian identity. For Indo-Caribbeans, the melding together of elements from both the past and present is cmcial for redefining who and what they are and wish to be. This new "Indian" identity is tantamount to the creation of "new ethnicity" or ethnic rediscovery. The idea of trying to reconnect with one's ethnic "roots" is not just simply an aspect of ethnic renewal or ethnic rediscovery, but one that represents a significant instance of constructed ethnicity. As such, this study contributes significantly to our understanding of ethnicity as a socially consmicted phenornenon. This sociological ethnographic case study was located within the Social Constnictionist approach to ethnicity - a theoretical mode1 that ernphasizes the dynamic and fluid nature of ethnic relations. In keeping with the qualitative nature of the case study methodology, this snidy necessitated the utilization of field research. The rich body of ethnographic data derived fiom participant observation and in-depth semi-stmctured interviews contributed to our understanding of inductive theoretical refomulation made possible through the grounded theory approach. DEDICATIONS To my decrased mother, Kowsilia Jaggernathsingh and my deceased high school English teacher and mentor, Miss Sybil Glasgow. May they rest in peace. 1 would also like to dedicate this thesis to my fathrr, Mr. Jodhan Singh for al1 his love and support. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 1 would like to thank the following people for their guidance and assistance in making this thesis what it is. First and foremost, 1 would like to thank my supervisor. Professor Michal Bodemann for his continued guidance and support in this study and throughout the entire penod as a graduate student. Afier complehng his graduate course in Field Methods, he saw the potential for a doctoral dissertation based on my work in that course. With constant encouragement from him, 1 went back into the field site. Afier that, thzre was no looking back. He was not only a mentor, but one who showed genuine interest in my work and progress. 1 mily appreciate his confidence in me and my scholarly work. 1 am also indebted to Professor W.W. Isajiw for his contribution to this study. His counsel, advice, and support throughout this study enabled me to improve upon my research skilis, both at the theoretical and empirical levels. His admirable persona1 traits as a scholar and a person created an environment conducivr to both intellectual growth and positive persona1 growth. 1 was very fortunate to have Professor John Hannigan as one of my thesis cornmittee members. 1 owe a great deal to hirn for his unwavenng support and dedication to my research. Working with him as a yaduate student was, undoubtedly, one of the most intellectually stimulating experiences 1 have cver had. Under his tutelage, 1 was able to experience scholastic growth, refinement and improvement; he was a mie mentor and role model. 1 would also like to thank Professor Dennis Magill for al1 his important suggestions and feedback on my thesis. Lastly, I would like to thank Professor Milton Israel from the Department of History and Professor Willfi-ied Spohn of the University of Pennsylvania for their constructive cnticisms and advice. 1 would also like to express my sincere gratitude to the Voice of the Vedas Organization for allowing me the opportunity to undertake my research. My heart-felt appreciation goes out to two of its rnembers, namely, Prabhat Sood and Kalawatie Seereeram, alias Bhabhi for their kindness and generosity, and for making my field research expericnce rewarding and enjoyable. 1 am also grateful to the Satya Sanatan Dharma Temple for its kindness in wmly welcoming me to its community and for the love and respectability that were meted out to me by its members. 1 would like to thank, in particular, Pundit Ravi and Amamath Binda and Family for their hospitality and support. 1 offer my sincere gratitude and appreciation for al1 of the other Hindu mandirs that welcorned me to their communities. I wcdU pcrsondly like to thank Mr. Deo Kemahan for taking time off from his busy schedule to offer valuable suggestions and insights. Finally, 1 would like to thank Ms. Jeannette Wright from the Department of Sociology for her continued suppon and advice, and to a dear fiiend, Aneesa Mohammed for being one of the most caring and supportive individuals I have ever known. TABLE OF CONTENTS ii iv v LIST OF TABLES Y LIST OF FIGURES xi LIST OF APPENDICES xii CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION 1.1 Statement of the Problem 1.2 Problematizing the Notion of an "Indian" Ethno-Religious Identity 1.3 Lnstitutionalized Religion as Ethnicity CHAPTER II: CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK 2.1 Literature Review 2.2 Theoretical Frarnework 2.3 Ethnic Group and Ethnicity Defined 2.4 Ethnicity as a Socially Constructed Phenornenon CHAPTER III: METHODOLOGYfRESEARCH DESIGN 3.1 Relevance of Case Study to Research 3.2 Participant Observation Data: Methodological Procedures and Empincal Indicators 3 -3 Data Anal ysis Strategy: Participant Observation Data 3.4 Interviews: Data Analysis Strategies 3.5 Coding Procedures: Interviews 3.6 Analytic Strategies 3.7 Sampling Strategies CHAPTER IV: THE SECULAR AND POLITICAL DIRIENSIOR'S OF THE INDO-CARIBBEAN COMiMWITY The Indian Diaspo -s General Character of Indo-Caribbean History: From India to the Caribbean The Guyana Crisis The Tnnidad Scenario The Second Migration: From the Caribbean to Canada: Indo-Caribbeans in Canada Demographic Profile of Indo-Caribbeans in Canada First Encounters: Relations Between Indo-Caribbeans and South Asians in Canada Identity and Differentiation In Search of a Political Identity in the Wider Secutar Indo-Caribbean Cornrnunity Linking Metro Mandir With the Wider Secular Indo-Caribbean Cornrnunity in Toronto CHUTER V: A HISTORY OF THE METRO MANDIR AND ITS LEADER 6.1 The Settting 6.2 A Profile of the Spintual Leader of the Metro Mandir 6.3 Charismatic and Entrepreneurial Traits 6.1 Demogaphic and Other Organizational Characteristics of the Metro Mandir CHAPTER VI: ANALYSIS OF DAT.4 Participant Observation Data: Metro Mandir Analysis ( Indicator # 1 ) Analysis (Indicator # 2) Anaiysis (Tndicator # 3) Interview Data: Metro Mandir Ethnic Leadership in the Process of Identity Construction Collective Organization and the Cultural Construction of Community Ethnic Organization and the Cultural Construction of Community and Ethnic Identity Comparative Data 8.0 Overview of Other Hindu Temples 8.1 Characteristics of Hindu Temples hvestigated 8.2 The Contrast Temple CHAPTER V1I: DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION 9.1 Summary and Discussion of Findings 9.2 Theoretical and Methodological Discussions 9.3 Ethnographic Component 9.4 Grounded Theory Component 9.5 Conclusion 9.6 Contributions of Study 9.7 Directions for Future Research APPENDICES Appendix A: LN THE FIELD: ETHNOGWHIC EXPERIENCES A. 1 The Ethnographic Expenence Appendix B: A METHODOLOGICAL NOTE