Honors Theses

Date of Award

1-1-2012

Document Type

Undergraduate Thesis

Department

Croft Institute for International Studies

First Advisor

Joshua Howard

Relational Format

Dissertation/Thesis

Abstract

This thesis focuses on the Bai minority group in the town of Dali, in China's Yunnan Province and examines the effect of ethnic tourism upon the identity ofthe Bai people. Through an analysis of governmental policies, both on the national and provincial level, economic policies, and different sources of Bai identity, such as travel magazines and articles, I have come to find that the Chinese state and Han Chinese have played a decisive role in the shaping and defining of Bai identity. Through the promotion of tourism and state policies, the Bai people have created a stronger sense ofidentity.

TABITHA BANDI: Ethnic Tourism’s Effect on Bai Ethnic Minority's Identity in Dali, China (Under the Direction of Dr. Joshua Howard)

This thesis focuses on the Bai minority group in the town of Dali, in China's Yunnan Province and examines the effect of ethnic tourism upon the identity ofthe Bai people. Through an analysis of governmental policies, both on the national and provincial level, economic policies, and different sources of Bai identity, such as travel magazines and articles, I have come to find that the Chinese state and Han Chinese have played a decisive role in the shaping and defining of Bai identity. Through the promotion of tourism and state policies, the Bai people have created a stronger sense ofidentity. Governmental policies, the Chinese ethnic identifications system and the prospect of economic gain has greatly contributed to the Bai perception of "self" and the way in which they portray themselves through tourism.

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