Taking cricket in Oslo as a vantage point, this PhD project critically examines the relation between gender and ethnicity, and analyses how masculine ideals are manifested within a group of Pakistani men. Curator Thomas Walle is in the process of completing the monograph «A Passion for Cricket. Masculinity, ethnicity and diasporic spaces in Oslo».
A different kind of gang
It came to expression repeatedly during fieldwork that experiences of stereotypic representations, particularly in the media, have influence on how the men regard their position as Pakistani men vis-à-vis the majority: «We are a gang, but not the kind of gang they write about in the newspaper», one cricket player stated. Many of them see cricket as an activity that provides belonging to something 'Pakistani', both in a local Norwegian context and in a global sense. Several men emphasise the ability of cricket to be a counter force to the dangers of Norwegian city life, a socialisation into a Pakistani manliness that is not based on religious belonging.
Important social network
Cricket was established gradually as a sport in the Oslo area from the 1970s, and was admitted as a discipline under the national Confederation of Sports in 2007. During this period a durable social network has been established, dominated by persons of Pakistani background. The project shows that this network is an important resource in the everyday life, both private and in connection with work and business undertakings. In recent years a connection between cricket and politics has emerged, and for persons who aspire for ethnic leadership and political influence, cricket presents itself as a significant power base.
Ethnographic fieldwork was conducted during two cricket seasons in Oslo, focusing on a cricket team consisting of men who have migrated from Pakistan or are born in Norway of Pakistani born parents. In addition to field observations and participation in various activities in connection with cricket and other social interaction, some qualitative interviews and several informal conversations form the basis of the research material.
The project has been funded by The Research Council of Norway, with the project title «Marginal ideals? A study of the connection between masculine ideals and men's practice among a group of Pakistanis in Norway».