Intimacy as a Lens on Work and Migration: Experiences of Ethnic Performers in Southwest China

This book explores the experiences of ethnic performers in a small Chinese city, highlighting the intersection of social inequalities related to the rural-urban divide, ethnicity, and gender. It emphasizes the intimate negotiations between performers and their clients and argues that these encounters can inform understanding of broader social issues.

Format: Hardback
Length: 168 pages
Publication date: 25 June 2024
Publisher: Bristol University Press

This captivating book delves into the lives of ethnic performers in a small Chinese city, seeking to unravel the intricate tapestry of their experiences and migration journeys. By virtue of their unique position as service workers who have traversed within the same province, these individuals offer invaluable insights into the complex interplay of social inequalities, encompassing the rural-urban divide, ethnicity, and gender, in contemporary China.

Through the lens of 'intimacy as a lens,' the author explores the profound negotiations that occur within individuals, encompassing their emotions, sense of self, and relationships. This analytical approach sheds light on the broader social inequalities that exist, highlighting the intricate borderlands traversed by performers as they navigate between rural and urban environments, as well as between ethnic minority and Han identities.

The book emphasizes the intimate and personal nature of these encounters, recognizing that they hold the potential to inform our understanding of broader social issues. By delving into the intricacies of these performers' lives, the book offers a profound exploration of the complexities and nuances of identity, culture, and society in modern China.

This captivating work will appeal to scholars, researchers, and anyone with an interest in understanding the diverse tapestry of human experiences and the complexities of contemporary China.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781529225853