Land Symbolism (A Re-examination of Lücun)

Author: Zhang Hongming
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-11-01
Features: What position does land hold in Chinese social life? How has it changed throughout its historical development? Unlike the prevailing economic research perspectives, this book reveals the social symbolic meaning of land from a cultural perspective by studying the famous anthropological field research site—Luchun. Emulating the two main themes of Fei Xiaotong's Luchun Farmlands—land systems and the public rituals behind leisure economies—the book examines both within the context of social changes since the Ming and Qing dynasties. Based on in-depth field research, the author argues that it is precisely the "inalienable" nature of land that enables both the state and local society to be established simultaneously. Throughout Luchun's history, the transformation of land from military farmland to civilian farmland, as well as the evolution of Dongjing rituals and lantern festivals in public rituals, all reflect the changes in the relationship between the state and local society. This book provides a new perspective for understanding China's land system, contributes to the historical evolution of Yunnan's folk religion, and offers a valuable attempt to bridge economic anthropology and religious anthropology.