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Cho, Zoeyn Kharis

University of British Columbia

This thesis investigates the meanings and applications of "Han" 漢 as a group identifier in Ming China through a systematic analysis of local gazetteers from Yunnan and Guizhou. Employing a hybrid approach that combines keyword-driven analysis with regional case studies, the study minimizes selection bias and ensures methodological rigor in the scope and focus of interpretation. Close readings of the gazetteers reveal two distinct conceptualizations of "Han": an ascription with various attributes and associations, and an observed population that exhibits significant fluidity and intermingling with non-Han groups. The ascription of Han is defined by linguistic markers, cultural traditions, and perceived political dependability, suggesting a strong conceptual link between "Han," "China," and the "Central Plains." However, the observed Han population at the borderlands challenges this notion of a monolithic Han identity. The study proposes that "Han" functioned as an idealized norm employed by the Ming state as an acceptable standard of conduct for its subjects. It served as a yardstick defined by its contradistinction to the stereotyped traits ascribed to troublesome frontier populations. The Ming state's interest was more in ensuring the populace did not act "un-Han like" rather than emulating a definitive "Han" individual. While the Ming period was crucial for the development of Han as an ethnic label, the study cautions against overstating the label’s internal coherence, prominence among other labels, or exclusive ethnic meaning in the Ming period. This study concludes that while Han is not a static or necessarily an empirical category, the built-in ambiguity of the Han category allows it to survive changing times and acquire new meanings, contributing to its enduring presence in discussions of Chinese identity.

Text

2025-06-23

Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International

http://hdl.handle.net/2429/91410

History

University of British Columbia

UBCV

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/