The Social Functions of Cantonese Opera in the Edmonton Chinese Community 1890-2009: From Sojourners to Settlers

• Author / Creator

  Cheung, Helen Kwan Yee

• This thesis expands prior academic studies on the social context of Cantonese opera by analyzing its social functions and the role it plays in the Edmonton Chinese community from 1890 to 2009. This study affirms the versatility of Cantonese opera as an art form that has been transmitted overseas and continued its presence and vibrancy throughout the history of Chinese immigration in Edmonton. This study uncovers the social relevance of Cantonese opera in meeting changing community needs and in fortifying the changing Chinese self-identity from sojourners to settlers through three historical episodes. As such, this study adds knowledge to understanding Chinese life experiences previously unexplored in Edmonton and contributes to the overall body of knowledge on prairie Chinese and on Cantonese opera in an overseas setting. This study has implications for further research or comparative studies on the socio-cultural life of Chinese in Canada and cultural globalization.

• Subjects / Keywords

  • Cantonese opera
  • Social functions
  • Settlers
  • Chinese Community
  • Edmonton
  • Sojourners

• Graduation date

  Fall 2013

• Type of Item

  Thesis

• Degree

  Master of Arts

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/R3HX2K

• License

  This thesis is made available by the University of Alberta Libraries with permission of the copyright owner solely for non-commercial purposes. This thesis, or any portion thereof, may not otherwise be copied or reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner, except to the extent permitted by Canadian copyright law.