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 renowned anthropological field research site—Lücun. Emulating the two main themes of Fei Xiaotong's Lücun Nongtan—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 Lücun's history, the transformation of land from military to civilian use, as well as the evolution of public rituals like Dongjing activities and lantern festivals, all reflect the changing dynamics between the state and local society. This book offers a fresh perspective on understanding China's land system, contributes to the historical evolution of Yunnan's folk religion, and serves as a valuable attempt to bridge economic anthropology and religious anthropology.