| dc.description.abstract | This thesis uses “landscape” as the analytical concept that contains both the notions of “place” from a subjective standpoint and “space” from an objective standpoint. First, it looks into the aspect of historical memory and grasps how Wanluan people perceive and re-narrate the local legends and historical events by tracing back their memories. Secondly, it looks into the practice of everyday life and comprehends how Wanluan people interact with well-known landmarks, ritual activities, specialty goods and so on by investigating their daily routines. Finally, it explores how Wanluan people embody their sense of place in the two aspects mentioned above, and how they transform the sense of place into the sensibility of “home” to form the local identity.
Wanluan people form their local identity by virtually interacting with the place rather than clinging to intangible nostalgia. This forming process is based on the linkage between people and place developed through virtual sensory experiences. These experiences, no matter coming from the past, present or future, maintain the linkage between people and place continuously. Legends, foods, landmarks, rituals, specialty foods and so on are the things that make people relate themselves to the place. This is where Wanluan people form their sense of place and attach themselves to, and eventually take Wanluan as their home, a warm and safe place where they belong. In the end, they form the local identity of “Wanluan belongs to us, and we belong to Wanluan.”
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