The Han: China's Diverse Majority

Studies on Ethnic Groups in China

by Agnieszka Joniak-Luthi

This ethnography explores contemporary narratives of "Han-ness," revealing the nuances of what Han identity means today in relation to that of the fifty-five officially recognized minority ethnic groups in China, as well as in relation to home place identities and the country's national identity. Based on research she conducted among native and migrant Han in Shanghai and Beijing, Aqsu (in Xinjiang), and the Sichuan-Yunnan border area, Agnieszka Joniak-Lüthi uncovers and discusses these identity topographies. Bringing into focus the Han majority, which has long acted as an unexamined backdrop to ethnic minorities, Joniak-Lüthi contributes to the emerging field of critical Han studies as she considers how the Han describe themselves―particularly what unites and divides them―as well as the functions of Han identity and the processes through which it is maintained and reproduced.

The Han will appeal to scholars and students of contemporary China, anthropology, and ethnic and cultural studies.

Genres: China, Anthropology, Geography

200 pages, Hardcover

First published May 11, 2015

Reviews

[Grady · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an interesting analysis of Han identity, based on numerous interviews that the author and her research assistants conducted with Han residents of eastern China. The writing is a little odd - the author belabors her points, saying very similar things over and over - perhaps she feels that she’s not repeating herself, but capturing subtly different facets of her topic. But basically, she finds that Han residents also draw lots of distinctions among themselves based on ‘home place’, stereotypes of rural vs. urban identities, and northern vs. southern identities. But, when asked about identity in relation to China’s ethnic minorities, most of her interviewees immediately recenter their identities as Han and insistent there is something ineffable that binds all Han together, even if (it seems) they can’t really point to anything concrete beyond fairly dubious claims of common genetic and cultural heritage.

Although the author’s focus and discussion is entirely on China, it makes for illuminating reading to think about the parallels with how ‘white’ people in America think about ‘whiteness’ - a similarly historically flexible and socially-constructed concept that nonetheless has a profound impact on how most white Americans interact with the world. American regional stereotypes and urban/rural stereotypes aren't identical to the Chinese versions, but I can see how they operate similarly. The process of setting elementary school curricula is more complicated and contested in the U.S., but Joniak-Luthi’s discussion in passing of the way the Chinese curriculum trains children from ethnic minorities to reflexively disrespect their own cultural traditions is striking.

[Renee-Elise · Rating 4 out of 5]

While the research done by the author is immense and well done, the writing was repetitive, especially towards the end of the book. Overall, a great book to read on Chinese Han-ness, a field within Asian Studies that deserves more focus.