Phantom Menaces: The Politics of Rumour,Securitisation and Masculine Identities in the Shadows of the Ninjas |
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Authors: | Henri Myrttinen |
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Institution: | 1. henrimyrttinen@gmail.com |
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Abstract: | The article examines the 2009–2010 Zumalai ‘ninja’ scare, in which the deaths of a child and a young woman had triggered rumours of shadowy ninjas being at work, which in turn led to a massive operation by police special forces. The article traces the history of the ninja phenomenon in Timor-Leste and Indonesia. It then examines the case from three different vantage points: the politics of rumour surrounding the case; the securitisation of the scare; and as a clash of competing masculinities. Through these approaches, not only some of the long-lasting legacies of Indonesian occupation and of the resistance become visible, but also some of the profound societal changes since independence. |
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Keywords: | Rumour Securitisation Masculinity Timor-Leste Ninja |
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