Oral Epic Traditions in China and Beyond

This study explores the historical context of book reading, shifting the focus from private reading to a communal oral experience. It investigates Mongol oral heroic epics, providing valuable insights into modern oral poetic research, performance strategies, and cultural significance. It offers practical guidelines for field and textual investigations and sheds light on the strengths and weaknesses of Chinese oral epic research.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 234 pages
Publication date: 25 September 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This study offers a comprehensive exploration of the historical significance of book reading, extending beyond a solitary private experience to encompass a vibrant and ever-evolving communal oral tradition. It shifts the primary focus of epic studies away from the codified texts of standard Western epics towards the living tradition of generally unknown Mongol oral heroic epics. Moreover, it moves beyond isolated textual analysis to investigate the dynamic interplay between singers and audiences during live performances.

The book serves as a valuable resource for literature students, providing them with comprehensive reference material on modern oral poetic research. It delves into various aspects of works, including content, narrative scale, social dimensions, cultural significance, performance strategies, and modes of transmission. This study offers theoretical approaches and practical guidelines for field and textual investigations that explore the relationships between inherited texts and performances, performers and audiences.

For seasoned epic scholars, this book provides invaluable firsthand information on Mongol oral epic, particularly regarding its lengthy epic structures, the incorporation of smaller poems, the innovative use of traditional material by singers, and the strengths and weaknesses of Chinese oral epic research. By broadening the scope of epic studies, this study contributes to a deeper understanding of the rich tapestry of literary traditions and their enduring impact on human culture.

Weight: 453g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032191836