'A tulip in lotus land': history and agency in colonial Sri Lanka

Journal Publication ResearchOnline@JCU
Henry, Rosita
Rosita Henry
Abstract

The present paper considers the historical processes and human agency involved in the creation of a particular identity category, the Dutch Burghers of Sri Lanka, by reflecting upon Karl Marx's maxim that 'People make their own histories, but not just as they please'. I pay homage to the guidance I received from my supervisor, Doug Miles, who enabled me to recognise that people are not so weighed down by colonial pasts that they cease to be creative agents in constituting their own life worlds and who encouraged me to analyse Dutch Burgher writings, published in the Journal of the Dutch Burgher Union, as cultural products and as material evidence of social agency.

Journal

The Asia Pacific Journal of Anthropology

Publication Name

The Asia Pacific Journal of Anthropology

Volume

9

ISBN/ISSN

1740-9314

Edition

N/A

Issue

3

Pages Count

9

Location

N/A

Publisher

Routledge

Publisher Url

N/A

Publisher Location

Melbourne, Australia

Publish Date

N/A

Url

N/A

Date

N/A

EISSN

N/A

DOI

10.1080/14442210802251654