Abstract:
This ethnographic research aims to discover the implications of the
commodification of production processes amongst the Ersu Tibetans of Sichuan,
China. This thesis examines the commodification of Ersu agriculture and ethnic
identity in the historical context of both China and the world-system. Ethnohistorical
and ethnoecological methodologies are utilized to answer how through history the
Ersu arrived at a commodified mode of production, what has been commodified and
why, and how are villagers adapting to commodification. After providing a detailed
analysis of historical changes in Ersu agroecology and identity, two forms of
production that are becoming commodified are closely examined: agriculture and
tourism. The socio-economic, socio-cultural and socio-ecological adaptations that
take place due to the commodification of agriculture and tourism are then highlighted
in the thesis. Finally the commodified forms of Ersu agricultural and tourism
production are analyzed from the perspective of local resiliency and the thesis is
concluded by cautiously recommending applications for improving the resiliency of
local production.
