@article{ART002582116},
author={Choi Seok Hun},
title={The Restoration of Traditional Culture and Cultural Hybridity in Guam’s Taotao Tasi},
journal={Journal of Modern English Drama},
issn={1226-3397},
year={2020},
volume={33},
number={1},
pages={207-231}
TY - JOUR
AU - Choi Seok Hun
TI - The Restoration of Traditional Culture and Cultural Hybridity in Guam’s Taotao Tasi
JO - Journal of Modern English Drama
PY - 2020
VL - 33
IS - 1
PB - 한국현대영미드라마학회
SP - 207
EP - 231
SN - 1226-3397
AB - This essay examines Guam’s popular dinner show, Taotao Tasi (“People of the Sea”), in terms of the island’s colonial history and Homi K. Bhabha’s notion of “hybridity.” Critically adopting Bhabha’s concept, the paper seeks to complicate the understanding of its theoretical significance by considering the specific circumstances of the show’s origin, development, and reception in light of the scholarly pros and cons on hybridity. Guam’s long colonial history has resulted in the loss of much indigenous language and culture, which renders the restoration of ‘pure’ traditional music and dance impossible; for Chamorros living in Guam today, hybridity is not a choice but a given condition. Blending ancient Chamorro legend and chant with Polynesian cultural traditions, Taotao Tasi presents an enjoyable spectacle to the tourists from all around the world. While the hybridity of the show’s cultural representation and commercial aspect as a tourist attraction should be critically understood, its genuine intention to introduce Chamorro culture to the audience and the economic benefits that it brings to the local community cannot be overlooked. The paper argues that the hybridity of the show, despite its cultural and political issues, can open the door to a new conception of culture that Bhabha suggests. Lastly, since Guam and its cultural phenomena have been largely overlooked in scholarship, the discussion of the show as an ‘American drama’ can contribute to the expansion of the field.
KW - Taotao Tasi;Guam;Chamorro;hybridity;restored behavior
DO -
UR -
ER -
Choi Seok Hun. (2020). The Restoration of Traditional Culture and Cultural Hybridity in Guam’s Taotao Tasi. Journal of Modern English Drama, 33(1), 207-231.
Choi Seok Hun. 2020, "The Restoration of Traditional Culture and Cultural Hybridity in Guam’s Taotao Tasi", Journal of Modern English Drama, vol.33, no.1 pp.207-231.
Choi Seok Hun "The Restoration of Traditional Culture and Cultural Hybridity in Guam’s Taotao Tasi" Journal of Modern English Drama 33.1 pp.207-231 (2020) : 207.
Choi Seok Hun. The Restoration of Traditional Culture and Cultural Hybridity in Guam’s Taotao Tasi. 2020; 33(1), 207-231.
Choi Seok Hun. "The Restoration of Traditional Culture and Cultural Hybridity in Guam’s Taotao Tasi" Journal of Modern English Drama 33, no.1 (2020) : 207-231.
Choi Seok Hun. The Restoration of Traditional Culture and Cultural Hybridity in Guam’s Taotao Tasi. Journal of Modern English Drama, 33(1), 207-231.
Choi Seok Hun. The Restoration of Traditional Culture and Cultural Hybridity in Guam’s Taotao Tasi. Journal of Modern English Drama. 2020; 33(1) 207-231.
Choi Seok Hun. The Restoration of Traditional Culture and Cultural Hybridity in Guam’s Taotao Tasi. 2020; 33(1), 207-231.
Choi Seok Hun. "The Restoration of Traditional Culture and Cultural Hybridity in Guam’s Taotao Tasi" Journal of Modern English Drama 33, no.1 (2020) : 207-231.
