Primordialist Theory
Name : Wan Zulaikha Binti Wan Hanafi
Matrix Number : 204656
Question : 3
Topic : Ethnic Identity Is In The Between of Primordial and Instrumentalist.
The purpose of this writings is to determine a suitable ethnic theory that best described about my own ethnic identity in which Malay ethnic identity is articulated. If the function of identity is on how we see ourselves or how other people see ourselves, then visual and verbal representations of ethnic identities are reflections of a people who share common similarities of self-perception while also shaping perceptions of their group by the outsiders. Finally I realize that my ethnic identity needs both primordialist and instrumentalist approach to exactly describe how it really is.
A community is an ethnic group whose members have developed an awareness of common identity and have sought to draw boundaries of the group. As I learn that there are two main types of ethnicity theories which are Primordial theory and Instrumentalist theory. The primordialists argued that human beings had always been grouped together on the basis of given primordial characteristics. The point is that Primordialist viewed ethnicity as innate aspect of human identity which is established through fraternity and ancestry. Therefore, these ‘primordial’ attachments of one’s group are fixed and cannot be change for a lifetime. While, proponents of instrumentalist theories view ethnicity as something that can be changed, constructed or even manipulated to gain specific political and/or economic ends. Thus ethnic identity is just an instrument to maneuver through social hierarchy in order to protect a mutual interest against nonmember.
At the beginning, I silently choose primordialist approach as the best theory to describe my ethnic group because of the education that i had received since i was young. I live in Malaysia where the system taught me that when we are talking about ethnic, definitely the word of "race' will come across our mind. As
Matrix Number : 204656
Question : 3
Topic : Ethnic Identity Is In The Between of Primordial and Instrumentalist.
The purpose of this writings is to determine a suitable ethnic theory that best described about my own ethnic identity in which Malay ethnic identity is articulated. If the function of identity is on how we see ourselves or how other people see ourselves, then visual and verbal representations of ethnic identities are reflections of a people who share common similarities of self-perception while also shaping perceptions of their group by the outsiders. Finally I realize that my ethnic identity needs both primordialist and instrumentalist approach to exactly describe how it really is.
A community is an ethnic group whose members have developed an awareness of common identity and have sought to draw boundaries of the group. As I learn that there are two main types of ethnicity theories which are Primordial theory and Instrumentalist theory. The primordialists argued that human beings had always been grouped together on the basis of given primordial characteristics. The point is that Primordialist viewed ethnicity as innate aspect of human identity which is established through fraternity and ancestry. Therefore, these ‘primordial’ attachments of one’s group are fixed and cannot be change for a lifetime. While, proponents of instrumentalist theories view ethnicity as something that can be changed, constructed or even manipulated to gain specific political and/or economic ends. Thus ethnic identity is just an instrument to maneuver through social hierarchy in order to protect a mutual interest against nonmember.
At the beginning, I silently choose primordialist approach as the best theory to describe my ethnic group because of the education that i had received since i was young. I live in Malaysia where the system taught me that when we are talking about ethnic, definitely the word of "race' will come across our mind. As