Creating Chinese Ethnicity: Subei People in Shanghai, 1850-1980

by Emily Honig

"An important book that will be widely read by historians and social scientists alike. Anyone interested in modern Shanghai must read it." -- Jerry Dennerline, Amherst College Drawing on archival research and interviews conducted in Shanghei, this book describes the daily lives, occupations, and history of the Subei people -- and also examines how local origins, rather than race, religion, or nationality, came to define ethnic identities among the overwhelmingly Han population in China. Honig uncovers the roots of identity, prejudice, and social conflict that have been central to China's urban residents and that constitute ethnicity in a Chinese context.

Genres: China

195 pages, Hardcover

First published October 28, 1992

About the author

Emiy Honig is professor of history at the University of California-Santa Cruz.

Reviews

[kevinswang37 · Rating 4 out of 5]

很想弄明白偏见是怎样形成的。种下了一些民族志的兴趣。适逢过年可以思考一些家庭的问题。

[Sovatha · Rating 3 out of 5]

How is 'native place' identity created in the China context? This is the question this book addressed. 'Native place' identity is identity makers such as birth place, choice of occupation, language and appearance associated with a certain place. This is the term 'Subei' people which is given to a group of people who came to work in Shanghai. Later on, this term was also given to other poor and uneducated workers who are not necessarily from Subei area. The author concludes that this ethnic boundary is created when the dominant group has the power to decide who is 'self' and 'other'. In this context, the Shanghai natives who are the dominant group in Shanghai are the ones who label other inferior groups as 'Subei ren'. This is a good, short, and easy to read book for students to Chinese studies, ethnic studies, and Anthropology.