'A tulip in lotus land': history and agency in colonial Sri Lanka

Henry, Rosita (2008) 'A tulip in lotus land': history and agency in colonial Sri Lanka. The Asia Pacific Journal of Anthropology, 9 (3). pp. 210-218.

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Abstract

The present paper considers the historical processes and human agency involved in the creation of a particular identity category, the Dutch Burghers of Sri Lanka, by reflecting upon Karl Marx's maxim that 'People make their own histories, but not just as they please'. I pay homage to the guidance I received from my supervisor, Doug Miles, who enabled me to recognise that people are not so weighed down by colonial pasts that they cease to be creative agents in constituting their own life worlds and who encouraged me to analyse Dutch Burgher writings, published in the Journal of the Dutch Burgher Union, as cultural products and as material evidence of social agency.

Item ID: 5816
Item Type: Article (Research - C1)
ISSN: 1740-9314
Date Deposited: 04 Jan 2010 23:27
FoR Codes: 16 STUDIES IN HUMAN SOCIETY > 1601 Anthropology > 160104 Social and Cultural Anthropology @ 100%
SEO Codes: 94 LAW, POLITICS AND COMMUNITY SERVICES > 9403 International Relations > 940399 International Relations not elsewhere classified @ 100%
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