Diaspora governance and religion

The (re)production of the Guangze Zunwang cult in the Chinese diaspora

Bibliographic Data

ID4849280
AuthorsNingning Chen (0000-0001-6777-0649, Asia Research Institute National University of Singapore Singapore Singapore), Jingfu Chen (0000-0001-5976-6682, School of Tourism Management Sun Yat‐Sen University Guangzhou China, corresponding author)
Year2023
Volume23
Issue3
Pages583-598
Publication date2023-07-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueGlobal Networks (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1470-2266 • E-ISSN: 1471-0374
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/glob.12369
OpenAlexW4293238259
LanguageEN
Citations received8
References cited49

The role of sending states receives little attention in existing studies of transnational religion; another body of literature on diaspora governance gives little scrutiny to the religious dimension of diaspora strategies. This paper attempts to bridge the two bodies of works by exploring the state-directed religious networking in the Chinese diaspora. Through a case study of the Guangze Zunwang cult, it investigates how origin states mobilize migrant religious networks for diaspora engagement and how diaspora communities respond to governing strategies. Different Chinese (non)state agents operate diasporic religious programs-international cultural tourism festivals and deities' cross-border processions-respectively within and outside the territory. Inspired by the state-directed networking, diaspora groups also launch temple alliances in residential places, yet at the same time, produce alternative networks dedicated to revitalizing the cult. The paper sheds light on the multiplicity and flexibility of diaspora governance and provides further insights into the agency of the diaspora through transnational religious networking

Business · Corporate governance · Cult · Diaspora · Political science · Social science · Sociology · Computer Science · Diaspora, migration, transnational identity · Gender Studies · Law · Migration, Ethnicity, and Economy · Socioeconomic Development in Asia

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