To the Distant Place (A Journey of Pilgrimage for an Anthropologist)

Author: Guo Jing (Compiler)
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 rather filled with unique cultural connotations. As the renowned Taiwanese anthropologist Professor Li Yiyuan pointed out: "Broadly speaking, all fieldwork can be referred to as '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 producing and living in 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 the 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 field research and field investigations centered on culture, hoping to have the opportunity to express their cultural reflections and life insights from their fieldwork. 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 fieldwork through a visually engaging and illustrative format. While emphasizing detailed authenticity and vivid narratives, it also prioritizes concise and fluent writing. The handling of images strives to use tangible design to express intangible language, seamlessly integrating visuals and text to achieve a harmonious balance, reflecting a perfect unity of tradition and modernity. This series tells stories and shares experiences from field investigations, documenting the people and events encountered during the fieldwork. Its greatest strength lies in bringing the people and objects from the field to life, as well as animating the scenes and emotions within it. Readers not only hear the personal monologues of the investigators but also the voices of the interviewees. They learn not only the results of the investigations but also witness the interactions and exchanges between the investigators and the interviewees, gaining a wealth of cultural insights from the field and profound emotional resonance. This enables readers to journey alongside the authors through the cultural fields.
Given the rich and diverse content, we have divided the series into two main parts—Domestic and Overseas—based on the specific context of the series. The domestic part is further divided into "Eastern" and "Western" sections, forming a cohesive structure of the "Cultural Fieldwork Visual Series · Western Fieldwork Subseries," "Cultural Fieldwork Visual Series · Eastern Fieldwork Subseries," and "Cultural Fieldwork Visual Series · Overseas Mirror Subseries."
"With my feet as your eyes, with your heart as my heart, let us step into the field and feel the culture."
Travel has become a trend in today's world, giving rise to writing about human geography. This genre focuses on distant places, revealing the travelers' inner states during their journeys. The author of this book is an anthropologist, documentary filmmaker, and a pilgrim who seeks hidden wonders in the desert. For years, he has traveled through Yunnan, Tibet, Sichuan, and inland China, exploring the spiritual essence of local cultures. To this end, he established an online travel-themed website titled "Go to the Faraway" as his "sky city," and this book is the shadow cast by that sky city upon the world. The book is divided into three parts: "Walking with Feet," which collects the author's travel stories; "Walking with Thoughts," which gathers insights from folk cultural investigations; and "Walking with Poetry," which compiles inspirations from his travels. Among the over 100 images in the book, the beauty of mountains, rivers, and people during the journey is condensed into a visual feast.