Religion and the Formation of Taiwanese Identities

This volume examines the creation of forms of individual and group identity in Taiwan, the relationship between these forms of identity, and patterns of Taiwanese religion, politics, and culture. The contributors explore the Taiwanese sense of self, attempting to discern how Taiwanese identify themselves as individuals and as collectivities. Ranging from the local to the national level and within the larger Chinese cultural and religious universe, these essays explore the complex nature of identity/role and the processes of identity formation which have shaped Taiwan's multi-leveled past and its many faceted present.

Paul Katz is an Associate Research Fellow at the Institute of Modern History, Academia Sinica, Taiwan. His most recent book is Images of the Immortal: The Cult of Ln Dongbin at the Palace of Eternal Joy.

Murray Rubinstein recently edited Taiwan, A New History. He is Professor of History at Baruch College.

Introduction: The Many Meanings of Identity-Paul A. Katz & Murray A. Rubinstein * On the Origins and Transformation of Taiwanese National Identity-Chang Maukuei * Shifting National Identities in Public Spheres: A Cultural Account of Political Transformation in Taiwan-Duujian Tsai * Puppet Theater and Taiwanese Cultural Identity-Wu Su-mei * The Quest for Difference Versus the Wish to Assimilate-Michael Rudolph * Martial Cults in Southwestern Taiwan-Avran Boretz * Questions of Religion and Identity-P. Steven Sangren
Introduction: The Many Meanings of Identity-Paul A. Katz & Murray A. Rubinstein * On the Origins and Transformation of Taiwanese National Identity-Chang Maukuei * Shifting National Identities in Public Spheres: A Cultural Account of Political Transformation in Taiwan-Duujian Tsai * Puppet Theater and Taiwanese Cultural Identity-Wu Su-mei * The Quest for Difference Versus the Wish to Assimilate-Michael Rudolph * Martial Cults in Southwestern Taiwan-Avran Boretz * Questions of Religion and Identity-P. Steven Sangren