1st Edition

Living with Separation in China Anthropological Accounts

By Charles Stafford Copyright 2003

    First Published in 2004. Separation for example the process of leaving behind, temporarily or permanently, individuals to whom we are attached is something experienced by humans in all societies. In the case of China, the rituals and practices associated with separation and with its corollary, reunion are especially elaborate. They are crucial elements within the Chinese cultural tradition. In addressing through the use of case studies the central theme of separation, this book also provides a good general introduction to many of the classic debates within anthropological and historical analyses of China. It will, therefore, prove an interesting and useful resource to students of Asian studies and anthropology as well as the general reader with an interest in the Chinese cultural tradition.

    Chapter 1 Introduction, Charles Stafford; Chapter 2 Singing of separation, lamenting loss, Elizabeth Lominska Johnson; Chapter 3 Separations, autonomy and recognition in the production of gender differences, P. Steven Sangren; Chapter 4 An unsafe distance, Stephan Feuchtwang; Chapter 5 Dams and dreams, Jing Jun; Chapter 6 The ‘glorious returns’ of Chinese pilgrims to Mecca, Maris Gillette; Chapter 7 Exiles and reunion, Nicholas Tapp; Chapter 8 Linguistic and social patterns of separation and reunion, Raymond Firth;

    Biography

    Charles Stafford is Reader in Anthropology at the London School of Economics and Political Science.