Language, Cultural Identity, and Spirituality —A Case Study of the Representation of Minority Ethnic Subjects in Chinese Ethnographic Documentary

• Published in: Studies in ethnicity and nationalism Vol. 25; no. 2; pp. 180 - 199
• Main Authors: Tang, Ruohan, Zou, Yi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.09.2025
• Subjects: Case studies; Chinese ethnographic filmmaking; Chinese languages; Cultural identity; Dominance; Ethnic groups; Ethnicity; Ethnographic films; Ethnography; Marginality; Mass media images; Minority groups; minority language; Minority languages; Motion pictures; Power structure; Representation; Spirituality; Uyghur people
• ISSN: 1473-8481; 1754-9469
• DOI: 10.1111/sena.12447

Since the 1990s, there has been a surge in ethnographic films by Han directors in China, highlighting the complex interplay of power dynamics between these filmmakers and the minority communities they portray. This study examines these dynamics through the lens of spirituality and cultural representation, focusing on the film “Ashiq: The Last Troubadour.” A case study and interviews with the director, Liu Xiangchen, reveal an essentialist portrayal of the Uygur Ashiq that emphasises their spiritual and cultural identity on Uighur language chant, inadvertently reinforcing Han dominance. The analysis suggests that while the director's intentions reflect a critical self‐awareness, the film perpetuates the marginalisation of the Ashiq. We argue that ethnographic cinema should offer a more nuanced depiction of ethnic minorities and their minority language to challenge social injustices further and promote inclusivity in China's diverse linguistic and cultural landscape.