Crossing the Red River: Notes on Ethnic Cultural Exploration in the Red River Basin: Notes on Ethnic Cultural Exploration in the Red River Basin

Author: Liao Mingjun
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-01-01
Features: It is believed that everyone can answer the meaning of "fieldwork," but the academic term "field research" is not merely a study of "fields, wilderness," but is instead rich in unique cultural connotations. As the renowned Taiwanese anthropologist Professor Li Yiyuan pointed out: "Broadly speaking, all fieldwork can be called 'field research,' including social surveys, various questionnaire surveys, archaeological field excavations, and ethnographic investigations." Therefore, the so-called "cultural fieldwork" primarily refers to the environment in which humans produce and live, as well as the processes and outcomes of production and life within such an environment. Culture is one of the important markers that define what it means to be human. In recent years, with the acceleration of globalization and modernization, the world has become a "global village," yet cultural barriers still persist. Thus, the diversity of cultures and the collisions and integrations among different ethnic cultures have made attention to culture, especially grassroots culture, increasingly important. Cross-cultural survival and cross-cultural thinking have become crucial themes of contemporary society. Many scholars have long been committed to cultural fieldwork and research, hoping to share their cultural reflections and life insights from their fieldwork experiences. Coincidentally, Guangxi People's Publishing House also shared the same publishing intentions. After exchanges and discussions, a series of "Cultural Fieldwork Visual Series" was eventually published.
The "Cultural Fieldwork Visual Series" adopts a (sui bi) writing style, conveying cultural insights from the field through a visually rich and engaging format. While emphasizing factual details and vivid narratives, it also prioritizes concise and fluent prose. The treatment of images aims to use tangible design to express intangible language, seamlessly integrating visuals and text to achieve a harmonious balance between tradition and modernity. This series tells stories and shares experiences from fieldwork, documenting the people and events encountered during research. Its greatest strength lies in bringing the people and objects of the field to life, as well as animating the landscapes and emotions within it. Readers not only hear the personal monologues of the researchers but also the voices of their interviewees. They learn not only the results of the research but also witness the interactions and exchanges between researchers and interviewees during the fieldwork, gaining rich cultural insights from the field and profound emotional resonance. This enables readers to journey alongside the authors through the cultural fields.
Given the richness of its content, we have divided the series into two main parts—Domestic and Overseas—based on the specific circumstances of the books. The domestic part is further divided into "Eastern" and "Western" series, forming a cohesive structure: the "Cultural Fieldwork Visual Series: Western Fieldwork Series," "Cultural Fieldwork Visual Series: Eastern Fieldwork Series," and "Cultural Fieldwork Visual Series: Overseas Mirror Series."
"With my feet as your eyes, with your heart as my heart, let us step into the field and feel the culture."
In southern China, there is a great river that winds through the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau and the Lingnan Hills—the Pearl River. Its upper reaches are known as the Hongshui River. The Hongshui River is celebrated as China's "mineral of hydropower" due to its abundant water resources, and it is also called the "Ethnic Corridor" because it is home to 12 ethnic groups, including the Zhuang, Yao, Han, Miao, Bouyei, Dong, Yi, Shui, Mulao, Maonan, Hui, and Heluo.
Crossing the Hongshui River examines this river that has nurtured its author from the perspective of an ethnic scholar. Through fieldwork on the ethnic cultural arts of the Hongshui River Basin, it uses vivid prose and exquisite images to describe the living spaces and historical legends of the diverse ethnic groups in the region. It records the stories and reflections from the fieldwork process, revealing the shamanistic culture, bronze drum culture, folk song culture, totem culture, as well as the rich ethnic customs of the region, such as "song fairs," "flower-seeking," "not settling in a new home," and "bathing in the river."