Papers

• Performative Parties: Transpacific Politics, Photography, and the Social World of Filipinos in Washington, D.C. Jamelah Marie Jacob University of Washington

  In the early decades of the twentieth century, Washington, D.C. welcomed Filipino politicians and new residents alike, making the American national capital and center of the U.S. empire a crossroads for Filipino politics and identity construction. In this study, I examine how Filipinos in Washington in the 1930s and 1940s utilized photography to facilitate a transpacific political connection between their emerging community in America and the independence movement in the Philippines. Drawing from a community archive of photographs, I examine the bustling social world of Filipinos in Washington, hosting parties, luncheons, diplomatic events, and holiday celebrations. The questions of this study are two-fold: 1) How did spaces of celebration and shared joy translate into sites of navigating and participating in transnational politics? 2) What are the implications of the photographic archive for the local history and present-day conditions of Filipinos in Washington? I argue that parties and other social spaces were critical sites of social performativity, where Filipinos grappled with both Philippine and American issues. Social and cultural practices of celebration informed Filipinos’ strategies for mobilizing around Philippine independence and building solidarity against racially targeted policing and surveillance. The archival of such moments in a community archive underscores the ties of Filipinos in Washington to transnational politics between the Philippines and America, as Filipinos living, working, and partying in the center of the U.S. empire.

• Exploring Indonesian Diaspora Muslim Women’s Hadrah Performances in the United Kingdom: Identity, Tradition, and Transnational Connections Wardatun Nadhiroh Fuad Syakir University of Birmingham Zakiyatul Mufidah Mufidah University of Birmingham

  This study investigates Hadrah performances among Indonesian diaspora Muslim women residing in the United Kingdom, exploring its significance in shaping identity, preserving tradition, and fostering transnational connections. Hadrah, a traditional Islamic devotional practice, involving rhythmic chanting, percussion, and movement, holds cultural and spiritual significance within Indonesian Muslim communities. Often, Hadrah is performed in the Indonesian Embassy in London for various events. Even last year, Hadrah was specially performed in Trafalgar Square, London, to celebrate the Eid festival and this year as well. Using qualitative research methods, including interviews and participant observation, this study examines how Indonesian diaspora women in the UK engage with and adapt Hadrah as a means of maintaining their cultural heritage and religious identity while navigating the complexities of diasporic life. By delving into the lived experiences and perspectives of participants, this research elucidates how Hadrah performances serve as a site of cultural continuity, social cohesion, and empowerment for Indonesian Muslim women in the diaspora. Furthermore, the study explores the role of Hadrah in facilitating connections between diaspora communities in the UK and their homeland in Indonesia, highlighting its potential to transcend geographical boundaries and foster transnational solidarity. In doing so, the study contributes to a deeper understanding of the intersectionality of religion, gender, and culture within diasporic contexts while shedding light on the dynamic processes of tradition preservation and adaptation among migrant communities.

• The Language Shift of Chinese Diasporas in Malaya: from Fangyan to Mandarin Zhijian Xu Institut National des Langues et Civilisations Orientales

  The paper is based on my PhD research, which explores the linguistic transition from various Chinese dialects to Mandarin among the Malayan Chinese community. This shift, largely influenced by historical, cultural, and political dynamics, raises questions about cultural identity preservation and the broader implications of language marginalisation. The Malayan Chinese, primarily originating from southern China, have historically maintained a rich linguistic diversity, including dialects such as Hokkien, Hakka, and Cantonese. However, the post-1911 Chinese transnational movements and policies have significantly promoted Mandarin, increasingly sidelining these dialects. The introduction of the Speak Mandarin Campaigns in Singapore (1979) and Malaysia (1980) further accelerated this shift, reshaping the linguistic landscape in family and community settings.
  The proposed presentation, structured into two main parts, will offer insights from my field research in Malaysia, including interviews with community leaders and stakeholders involved in dialect preservation. I will highlight the roles of educational institutions and activist organizations in navigating and sometimes contesting these language dynamics.
  Key points for discussion will include the grassroots nature of Mandarin proliferation in Malaysia, contrasting with more institutional approaches seen in Mainland China and Taiwan. The presentation will invite dialogue on the potential consequences of promoting one dialect over others, considering whether such efforts could inadvertently marginalise less dominant dialects.
  By situating this linguistic shift within broader discussions of heritage and identity in transnational contexts, I aim to contribute to understanding the complex relationships between language, identity, and diaspora dynamics. This research underscores the importance of maintaining linguistic diversity as a crucial aspect of cultural heritage, offering a nuanced perspective on the challenges and opportunities that language shifts present to diasporic communities.

Abstract