Moving nations: National and religious identity of people out-of-place. The Indonesian Christian Church in Perth

Wimsett, Laura (1999) Moving nations: National and religious identity of people out-of-place. The Indonesian Christian Church in Perth. Honours thesis, Murdoch University.

Abstract

Identity is often theorised in Cultural Studies, but is less frequently contextualised and historicised. Much can be gained from examining identity formations through the micro-history of place. I have utilised the concept of Moving Nations to examine the formation of the Indonesian Christian Church (ICC) in Applecross, Western Australia.

The term Moving Nations encompasses three key concepts. Firstly, the phrase denotes migration from one nation to another. Secondly, it encompasses the idea of moving a nation from one place to another, sometimes described as a migrant diaspora. Thirdly, the concept reveals the flexible, changeable and esoteric nature of national boundaries. Each of these notions impact upon, and frequently displace, the Subject.

How do people negotiate the problem of Moving Nations? By probing the experiences of a specific community, and by drawing on my own experience in both migrating and living as a foreign national in another land, I have been able to investigate the questions posed through Moving Nations. I am indebted to ICC for the insight into migrant and diasporic politics. Defined both by nation and religion, discussion of ICC resonates with questions of identity. My own migration from England to Australia, and the year I spent studying in Indonesia during 1995-1996, also bring into play issues of Australian national identity and Whiteness. Pieced together, these elements form an image of Moving Nations, the microcosms which together create our post-modem society.

Item Type:	Thesis (Honours)
Murdoch Affiliation(s):	School of Media, Communication and Culture
Notes:	Note to the author: If you would like to make your thesis openly available on Murdoch University Library's Research Repository, please contact: repository@murdoch.edu.au. Thank you.
Supervisor(s):	Brabazon, Tara
URI:	http://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/id/eprint/49345

Item Control Page