Intimacy as a Lens on Work and Migration: Experiences of Ethnic Performers in Southwest China [Hardcover]

This book explores the experiences of ethnic performers in a small Chinese city, aiming to better understand their work and migration journeys. Their unique position as service workers who have migrated within the same province provides valuable insights into the intersection of social inequalities related to the rural-urban divide, ethnicity and gender in contemporary China. Introducing the concept of intimacy as a lens, the author examines intimate negotiations involving emotions, sense of self and relationships as a way of understanding wider social inequalities.

Drawing on ethnographic fieldwork, the book reveals the bordering mechanisms encountered by performers in their work as they navigate between rural and urban environments, as well as between ethnic minority and Han identities. Emphasising the intimate and personal nature of these encounters, the book argues that they can help inform understanding of broader social issues.

Offers a unique perspective by exploring the field of emotions and migration in China, an area which remains neglected in the context of China

While emotions are often studied within the context of intimate relationships, this book expands the scope of enquiry. It raises important questions about how migration regimes make people feel, particularly highlighting the significant role played by the state in shaping the emotional experiences of minority migrants

Draws on in-depth interviews with ethnic performers, whose unique position as service workers who have migrated within the same province provides valuable insights into the intersection of social inequalities related to the rural-urban divide, ethnicity and gender in contemporary China

Examines the concept of inauthentic feelings among ethnic minorities, a recurring theme amongst interviewees.