Hakka traditional society

Author: (French) John Lagerwey
Publisher:
Publication Date: 2005-12-01
Features: The Traditional Society of the Hakka is a comprehensive and systematic study of the historical origins, traditional social structures, socio-economic conditions, cultural heritage, religious beliefs, folk customs, and seasonal festivals of multiple Hakka communities in Fujian, Guangdong, Jiangxi, and other provinces of China. It is an academic work that thoroughly records the traditional social life of the Hakka region. The Traditional Society of the Hakka is edited by the renowned French anthropologist John Lagerwey. The collection includes 22 articles, with the authors being either professional researchers from China and abroad or most of them being elderly local Hakka people. The material sources of the articles are either in-depth interviews and extensive social surveys of Hakka elders or the authors' personal memories, making the content rich, detailed, and reliable. Additionally, the language of the articles is highly localized and colloquial. The two lengthy prefaces (both written by Lagerwey) not only analyze the academic framework of the book but also particularly elaborate on theoretical perspectives on preserving cultural diversity and folk traditions in the face of globalization. The lengthy afterword (written by Dong Xiaoping, a professor at the Ethnology Research Center of Beijing Normal University) provides an in-depth discussion on the discipline construction of the academic fields covered in the book and Lagerwey's research methods. These essays are of significant weight, rich in critical thinking and originality, undoubtedly enhancing the academic value of the book beyond the main text.