International Journal of Research in Social Sciences

  • Year: 2017
  • Volume: 7
  • Issue: 12

Religious practices and the preservation of Chinese-Indian identity among the chinese community of Kolkata

  • Author:
  • Debarchana Biswas
  • Total Page Count: 10
  • DOI:
  • Page Number: 306 to 315

UGC-SRF Fellow, Department of Geography, University of Calcutta

Abstract

The Chinese community of a Kolkata has been settled in India more than two centuries. The relationship to the host society and to the authorities, particularly the dominant host culture, has gone through different stages with different forms. In the nineteenth century the Chinese community of Kolkata had established several Chinese temples. This study argues that the impact established by the Chinese community of Kolkata particularly on their religious practices is just unique to observe. It examines the adoration of Atchew, Tianhou and goddess Kali added a new dimension or extent to their cultural life that creates a bond to both their Chinese heritage they carried and the place they live. Thus this study perhaps will be able to focus on how the Chinesecommunity safeguarding their age old heritage and identity which they carry forward. The study reveals how these unique practices show the process of acculturation and the creation of a new mixed Chinese-Indian identity. Thus this study will perhaps contribute to the field of social geography not only by helping to understand the multicultural dynamics of Kolkata, but also, will definitely find a concrete way to shape this ethnic enclave community.

Keywords

Dimension, Heritage, Acculturation, Multicultural