Abstract

This study looks at cultural loss within the Tibetan refugee community in the Jawalakhel Settlement of Katmandu, Nepal due to forced migration. This research hypothesizes that the cultural disintegration between the generation of Tibetans raised in Tibet and those raised in exile will create generational stratification within the ethnic group. Examination of the concept of allegiance, intergenerational discrepancies and identity begs the question: can physical separation from one's homeland to a resettlement country located just on the border still result in drastic cultural depletion? All three aforementioned notions are applied to and analyzed with Karl Mannheim's theory of generations and Benedict Anderson's idea of nationalism. Key findings are Tibetan's displacement and resettlement culminating in lack of Tibetan cultural homogeneity. Lack of Tibetan cultural homogeneity is found to lead to recurrent feelings of separation and detachment from Tibetan culture, society and identity.

Advisor

Matsuzawa, Setsuko

Department

Sociology and Anthropology

Disciplines

Race and Ethnicity | Regional Sociology

Publication Date

2012

Degree Granted

Bachelor of Arts

Document Type

Senior Independent Study Thesis

Download

Share

COinS
 

© Copyright 2012 Willa Cary