2016 Fiscal Year Research-status Report
Ethnicity, Social Spaces and Cross-cultural understanding in Contemporary Yangon, Myanmar
| Project/Area Number |
15K01903
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| Research Institution | Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University |
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Principal Investigator |
MANI A 立命館アジア太平洋大学, アジア太平洋学部, 教授 (40331102)
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| Project Period (FY) |
2015-04-01 – 2018-03-31
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| Keywords | Ethnicity / Inter-ethnic relations / Myanmar / Yangon / Religious tolerance / Bamar / Urban landscape / Tamils |
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| Outline of Annual Research Achievements |
The study examines the relationship between ethnicity and cross-cultural understanding in Yangon, Myanmar. By observing Buddhist, Hindu and Chinese temples as well as mosques, dargahs and churches and their congregations, the study analyses cross-cultural interactions and understanding in multi-ethnic Yangon city in Myanmar.
In FY2016, two field trips were undertaken from 5 August to 30 September 2016 and 3 February to 5 March 2017. Both trips included short stay at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies (ISEAS) and the National University of Singapore (NUS) for meeting scholars on Myanmar and collecting published journal articles.
In the first trip, the fieldwork was extended to the Mon State in Lower Burma to comprehend the ethnic relations in a state where Mons dominate than Burmans as in Yangon. In the second trip, a short trip was made to Mandalay in Upper Burma to observe the ethnic interactions. In Yangon itself, additional respondents were met with and interviewed.
The above was carried out according to the proposed plan of research for the study. The field work was largely carried out to collect data though in-depth interviews with various communities, heads of religious institutions, and by attending various festivals and events such funerals, marriages and private gatherings. All social sites were photographed and a voice recorder was used to tape all interviews. Besides, published materials were collected as they became available.
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| Current Status of Research Progress |
Current Status of Research Progress
2: Research has progressed on the whole more than it was originally planned.
Reason
Transcribing of field interviews is being done. Two students were hired to transcribe the previous year’s field recordings. Based on the completed data a paper was presented in February at the National Heritage Board in Singapore in which the fieldwork data was used for presenting the paper. As the collected materials allow for writing a few papers and a book, the forthcoming FY would be dedicated to writing up the vast information. It is expected that an initial draft of portions of the monograph will be ready for further rewriting.
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| Strategy for Future Research Activity |
The following plan will be followed:
1. Complete the transcribing of interviews by end of August 2017.
2. Plan a paper for presentation at a conference / seminar in Japan.
3. Plan the draft of monograph.
4. Plan a second paper - February 2018.
The research plan is closely adhering to the initial plan proposed.
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| Causes of Carryover |
The execution of funds for travel expenses associated with fieldwork at the end of the fiscal year will occur in FY2017.
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| Expenditure Plan for Carryover Budget |
The carry over funds will be put towards the relevant travel expenses.
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