Master thesis | Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology (MSc)
open access
This study investigates what factors influence ethnic identity and sense of belonging amongst first- and second- generation individuals of the Ghanaian diaspora in the Netherlands. The experiences...Show moreThis study investigates what factors influence ethnic identity and sense of belonging amongst first- and second- generation individuals of the Ghanaian diaspora in the Netherlands. The experiences shared by interlocutors portray that ethnic identity is fluid and interchangeable, instead of a fixed phenomenon. Ghanaian interlocutors demonstrated that they live within a double consciousness, as they are able to move between worlds of connectedness and disconnectedness with their Ghanaian and Dutch identities. Furthermore their sense of belonging is closely related to larger structures of (everyday) racism prevalent in Dutch society and personal notions affiliated with The Netherlands as home. Then in Ghana sense of belonging is also multifaceted as they are perceived as too "Dutch".Show less
The goal of this thesis was to research the influence of Ahok’s political situation on the ethnic identity of Chinese Indonesian students who temporarily stayed in the Netherlands. Therefore, 23 in...Show moreThe goal of this thesis was to research the influence of Ahok’s political situation on the ethnic identity of Chinese Indonesian students who temporarily stayed in the Netherlands. Therefore, 23 in-depth interviews were conducted, in which positive and negative views on Ahok’s political situation were discussed. Additionally, questions in relation to their ethnic identity were asked.Show less
Since the beginning of the PRC, the government has vigorously influenced the identity of its citizens, by both controlling and stimulating the Muslim aspect of its citizens’ identities. The various...Show moreSince the beginning of the PRC, the government has vigorously influenced the identity of its citizens, by both controlling and stimulating the Muslim aspect of its citizens’ identities. The various outcomes of these actions range from cooperation with the state to the recent separatist stances from Chinese Muslims towards their government. This thesis investigates the factors that influence the teaching of the ‘Islamic-Chinese’ identity, such as the development of state education for Muslims; Muslim private education; the influence of study abroad; the legal framework on religious education; the influences on employment prospects; and the influences of globalization. This thesis argues that both in response to and accommodated by the Chinese government’s utilitarian approach to Muslim Chinese, from the 1980s onwards the Muslim Chinese communities created a more “Muslim” identity in ways (unforeseen and) uncontrollable by the government.Show less
Research master thesis | Archaeology (research) (MA/MSc)
open access
The most characteristic feature of the archaeology of Chontales, Nicaragua, are the high amount of earthen and stone mounds present throughout the landscape. However, traditionally in the...Show moreThe most characteristic feature of the archaeology of Chontales, Nicaragua, are the high amount of earthen and stone mounds present throughout the landscape. However, traditionally in the archaeology of this region, the focus has predominantly been on building a ceramic sequence. This sequence is used to correlate the Prehispanic Chontales people to those of the Greater Nicoya region on the Pacific coast, and in its current state views ceramic types as representative of ethnic groups of people migrating from one region to the next. In this thesis, a new theoretical framework is used to argue that the relationship between ceramic style and ethnic identity is not straightforward. This warrants a reevaluation of the data that was used to build the sequence, in which the ceramics, mounds, and other archaeological features are analyzed together per site. The resulting site-complexes reveal a pattern of ethnic identity formation on a micro-scale, where contact with outside influences is predominantly visible in the material culture, rather than the habitus.Show less
