Modern Religious Identity Formation examines how religious community identities were consolidated through the early years of the 20th century.
During this time, Sri Lanka, known as Ceylon, was occupied, and administered as part of the British Empire. Ceylon’s economy had become consolidated to this effect, with the establishment of the plantation sector as well as cementing the island’s status at the crossroads between ‘East’ and ‘West’ as a bustling port in the Indian Ocean.
Modern religious identity formation in colonial Ceylon must be understood in line with the rapid global transformations taking place during this period. These include the travel and work of Euro-American missionaries belonging to various Christian denominations, expansion to infrastructure and technologies of travel, documentation, and importantly print and visual culture, as well as the systematization of colonial administrative and educational practices which sought to ‘civilize’ and govern native populations. As a result of a growing anti-colonial consciousness and movements in various parts of the world subjugated by European colonial powers, there was an emergence of ethno-religious nationalist sentiments. By the late 19th and early 20th century, we begin to see this among Buddhist, Hindu, and Muslim groups in Ceylon. It is important to recognize that these formations are notably global in their language and formation. It is also essential to understand that religious identity formation has always been dynamic and responsive to broader phenomena at both national and international levels.
As a part of this exploration, Modern Religious Identity Formation focuses on key events, individuals, and processes that shape religious life during this period. Education, public events and sermons, the foundation of societies, and printed matter were central to the ethno-religious socialization and politicization of this period.
CW/TW: Descriptions, depictions, and discussions of colonial and communal violence, death, derogatory language, visuals, discriminatory attitudes, or actions.