Graduation Date
Spring 2020
Document Type
Thesis
Program
Master of Arts degree with a major in Social Science, Environment and Community
Committee Chair Name
Dr. Anthony Silvaggio
Committee Chair Affiliation
HSU Faculty or Staff
Second Committee Member Name
Dr. James Ordner
Second Committee Member Affiliation
HSU Faculty or Staff
Third Committee Member Name
Dr. Nikola Hobbel
Third Committee Member Affiliation
HSU Faculty or Staff
Keywords
Muay Thai, Orientalism, Sportization
Subject Categories
Sociology
Abstract
Edward Said’s 1987 examination of Orientalism suggests that fields of learning are constrained and acted upon by society, cultural traditions, worldly circumstance, and by stabilizing influences. According to Said these fields of learning work to sustain Western notions of superiority and designate what became considered backwards, degenerate, and uncivilized: the Oriental. Just as the West became the creators and keepers of particular domains of knowledge, specific knowledge concerning martial arts has been altered and modified in ways which reflect the appropriation of martial arts for Western consumption, via the processes of Orientalism. The Orientalization of martial arts preceded in a manner which removed the philosophical and moral aspects of mutual prosperity; establishing a philosophy of meritocratic individualism central to Western sports. I suggest Muay Thai - the marital fighting culture of Thailand - has been Orientalized during the Westward appropriation of martial arts. In this thesis, I will utilize Said’s framework of Orientalism in an examination of the sport of Muay Thai. My purpose being to leverage sport as a lens to show how Orientalism is utilized by the West in order to culturally appropriate the East. I suggest the fundamental underpinnings of Orientalism are at play as Muay Thai has moved from martial fighting style and traditional contest to a formalized sporting event.
Citation Style
APA
Recommended Citation
Macias, Timothy R., "Lethal floral patterns: an examination of the effects of Orientalism on the sport of Muay Thai" (2020). Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects. 385.
https://digitalcommons.humboldt.edu/etd/385