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Eco‐National Discourse and the Case of the Finnhorse
Author(s) -
Schuurman Nora,
Nyman Jopi
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
sociologia ruralis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.005
H-Index - 84
eISSN - 1467-9523
pISSN - 0038-0199
DOI - 10.1111/soru.12040
Subject(s) - nationality , context (archaeology) , representation (politics) , national identity , breed , sociology , social science , gender studies , geography , linguistics , political science , immigration , law , biology , ecology , politics , philosophy , archaeology
In eco‐national discourses, animals and other nonhumans are represented as national through their position as native breeds or species. In this article, we investigate the definition of the animal as a representative of a ‘national breed’ and its support to nation‐building. This article is a case‐study of the contemporary representation of the F innhorse as a ‘national breed’ in the context of F innish discourses of national identity. The materials analysed consist of documents and reports seeking to develop and ‘rebrand’ the F innhorse, as well as the representation of the breed in contemporary F innish popular music and culture. The materials are analysed using discourse analysis. According to the study, nationality is a central part of the representation of the F innhorse, and nature is an essential element in defining the animal as native, therefore claiming its nationality to be natural. The F innhorse is often also portrayed in the context of nostalgia. In the new contexts of contemporary equine activities, the horse is also provided with a role in rural development.