Routledge Tanners of Taiwan - Anthropology Case Studies

Explore the complex layers of identity construction in Southern Taiwan with Tanners of Taiwan. This ethnographic study by Simon focuses on the leather-tanning communities to examine what it means to be Chinese or Taiwanese in a contemporary setting. By using life history analysis and ethnographic observation, the book provides a deep look into how identity is formed within specific social groups. It examines the historical impact of the forty years of martial law from 1947 to 1987, during which the Chinese Nationalist Party implemented ideological campaigns across families, schools, and workplaces. Readers will understand how the development narrative used by the ruling party sought to establish a Chinese identity through cultural and social structures. This book is an essential resource for those studying sociology, anthropology, and the political history of Taiwan, offering a unique perspective on how national culture and personal life histories connect.