Abstract
This paper explores the concept of gastronationalism and banal nationalism through the case of the Tibetan resistance movement. It considers how Tibetan foodways serve as a medium for identity assertion, cultural resistance, and institutional control across both the Tibetan Autonomous Region (TAR) and diaspora communities in India. The paper also explores how assimilation and acculturation occur among Tibetan communities and the differences between the two phenomena. Tibetan identity has long been associated with that of Tsampa eaters, thus marking a clear association between the resistance movement, identity, and food. Yet existing literature overlooks the role of food in the Tibetan movement. Building on ethnographic secondary sources along with secondary qualitative sources such as newspaper reports, first-person narratives, interviews, articles, and other media coverage of Tibetan communities. This paper argues that Chinese policies in TAR are reshaping and forcefully assimilating Tibetan culture not only politically and religiously but also through erosion of culinary traditions to weaken cultural identity. Second, it contends that Tibetan religious institutions, including the government in exile, have mobilized food ethics such as vegetarianism and anti-slaughter movements not only for spiritual purposes but also as a form of resistance. Third, it argues that diaspora food practices, through acculturation, offer a space for the reinvention and evolution of identity, thereby complicating resistance movements. Ultimately, this paper aims to contribute to the discourse on gastronationalism by illustrating the expanded role of food and culinary culture as a key factor in the nationalist movement of Tibet.
Presenters
Sreerag NairStudent, Political Science, MIT World Peace University, Pune, Maharashtra, India Sejal Yadav
Assistant Professor, School of Liberal Arts, MIT- World Peace University, Pune, Maharashtra, India., Maharashtra, India
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
Gastronationalism, Tibetan Identity, Tibetan Cuisine, Sinicization, Diaspora Politics, Identity politics
