Jordan Ennis ‘23 | The Economics of Ethnicity: A Case Study of the Maasai and Batwa Indigenous Peoples

Majors: International and Global Studies, Political Science
Mentor: Dr. Waseem Bin-Kasim

Jordan’s research traced the solidification of ethnic groups and ethnic identity through the 20th century as it applies to the Maasai and Batwa indigenous groups in the African Great Lakes region. She analyzed primary source documents from colonial departments and found that colonial policies affecting the Maasai and Batwa peoples (such as land dispossession, marginalization, and forced sedentarization) have directly affected the economic identity of these ethnic groups and has made livelihood synonymous with the indigenous group itself. Her research is important as the international community, researchers, and local governments stand to gain significant knowledge on the lasting effects of colonialism, the consequences of neocolonialism, and the survival of indigenous groups in discriminatory societies.

 

Emily Wilbourne ‘22 | The Impact of Japanese Colonialism on the Religiosity of Seungmu Dance in Korea

Major: Arts Administration
Mentors: Dr. Pamela Winfield, Dr. Casey Avaunt

Emily examined the impact of Japanese imperialism on Buddhist seungmu dance, with particular attention to its transition from a religiously significant dance to a secularized performance. She completed a dual analysis of the current status of seungmu in contemporary performance as well as the subjugation, stigmatization, and persecution of Korean Buddhism during the 20th century, detailing how and why seungmu was refashioned for modern-day audiences. She also partook in seungmu dance lessons with a contemporary practitioner and interviewed numerous others, examining the relationship that modern Koreans have to the dance form in comparison to historical accounts of seungmu dance as a religious ritual. She traveled twice to Korea as part of this research project, which contributed to her Multifaith Scholars experience. She was awarded the 2021 Forum on Education Abroad Award for Academic Achievement Abroad for her research.