Ethnic religion after disasters: Intangible Cultural Heritage in China

Based on a critical analysis of the ethnic-religious practices at two Chinese minority areas that have been severely affected by earthquakes, this chapter examines the cultural, social and political impacts of intangible cultural heritage on post-disaster recovery of ethnic communities and their religious practices. The integration of language derived from the intangible heritage discourse into government-driven policies has led to the legitimisation of top-down post-disaster reconstruction and ethnic minoritys regulation. Alongside demonstrating state power in post-disaster cultural recovery, intangible heritage has transformed ethnic, religious practices into recreational, educational and commercial consumption. Intangible cultural heritage has become a new tool for the state to regulate cultural and spiritual aspects of ethnic communities while highlighting state priorities in national unity, social cohesion and poverty alleviation.