"SYRIAN CHRISTIANS" IN SINGAPORE : ETHNICITY IN PROCESS

Abstract

This study focuses on the ongoing tension between the processes of differentiation and assimilation, faced by "Syrian Christians" in Singapore. The "Syrian Christians" studied are not Syrians, but 20th century Indian migrants to Singapore. In the course of my fieldwork, I was able to estimate that in Singapore, they number 750 persons.

My field work among them yielded me much insight into the nature of caste and ethnicity. I argue that ethnicity and caste are assertions of difference and discuss how the "Syrian Christians" maintain ethnic boundaries. I show that cultural practices cannot be considered the primary identifying characteristics of an ethnic group as these are influenced by the larger sociocultural context. I also show that ethnicity is situational and not fixed. Religious continuity and change in "Syrian Christian" churches is also considered in this exercise.