This special issue examines the current revival of religious faith and practices in China’s ethnic areas, and investigates the rationale and variations of revival, as well as the implications to China and Asia. It seeks to move beyond the general discussions of applicability of the state-society model to more sophisticated interpretations based on empirical and ethnographic study of the ethnic areas. The five articles here attempt to explore China’s ethnic segregation, ethno-religious nationalism, risk society and folk religion, appropriation of religious practice and temple restoration. Each article focuses on issues of particular importance and can be read in retrospect to draw a unique perspective, but the authors agree that empirical studies on Chinese religion and ethnicity should contextualise the larger challenges of China and Asia in general.
From ARi organized workshop “Religious Revival in the Ethnic Areas in China”, 25-26 August 2011.
