Diasporas, Weddings and the Trajectories of Ethnicity

Diasporic individuals navigate their ethnic identities through wedding rituals and artefacts, shaping their Chineseness through a journey of ethnic identity. This book explores the processes underlying diasporic ethnicity-making, offers new concepts of transdiasporic space, ethnic tastes, and aesthetic dissonance, and examines the intersections between commercialism, ethnicity, and socio-economic divides.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 172 pages
Publication date: 01 August 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

In the era of rapidly fragmented migration, consumption, and globalization, diasporic individuals face the challenging task of navigating their ethnic identities. This intricate process involves a complex interplay of factors, including cultural heritage, social connections, and the broader societal context.

Diasporas, Weddings, and the Trajectories of Ethnicity, a groundbreaking book by Terence Heng, delves into the fascinating realm of how Chinese Singaporeans shape their Chineseness through wedding rituals and artefacts. Heng proposes a framework of ethnic identity as a journey, emphasizing the dynamic and evolving nature of diasporic ethnicity.

Through meticulous research and analysis, the book explores the processes underlying diasporic ethnicity-making through weddings. It offers insightful new concepts such as transdiasporic space, ethnic tastes, and aesthetic dissonance, shedding light on the complex ways in which diasporic communities negotiate and redefine their identities.

Furthermore, Diasporas, Weddings, and the Trajectories of Ethnicity examines the intricate intersections between commercialism, ethnicity, and socio-economic divides. It sheds light on the ways in which weddings become sites of economic transactions, cultural commodification, and social stratification. The book also maps the micro-social ramifications of ethnic and racial policy in Singapore, providing a critical perspective on the ways in which these policies shape the experiences of diasporic individuals.

As a former professional wedding photographer, Terence Heng brings a unique sociological lens to the scripted and spontaneous arena of social interactions that is the wedding day. By combining ethnographic observation, photography, and poetry, Heng reveals the many decisions and demands that underscore Singaporean Chinese weddings. Through his lens, the book offers novel insights into the roles of the bridal couple, their social networks, and the wedding industry.

Diasporas, Weddings, and the Trajectories of Ethnicity is a groundbreaking work that contributes significantly to our understanding of diasporic identity, cultural heritage, and the complexities of globalization. It provides a rich and nuanced analysis of the ways in which individuals navigate their ethnic identities in a rapidly changing world. This book will be of interest to scholars, researchers, and anyone with an interest in the study of diasporic communities and the dynamics of cultural identity.

Weight: 370g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367692018