Oral Traditions in Contemporary China: Healing a Nation

In Oral Traditions in Contemporary China: Healing a Nation, Juwen Zhang provides a theoretical framework for understanding how Chinese culture has continued for thousands of years with vitality and validity, core and arbitrary identity markers, and folkloric identity. This book serves as a bridge between Chinese and international folklore scholarship and other related disciplines, focusing on contemporary practice.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 262 pages
Publication date: 15 September 2023
Publisher: Lexington Books

In his groundbreaking work, "Oral Traditions in Contemporary China: Healing a Nation," Juwen Zhang delves into a comprehensive exploration of diverse oral traditions, including folk and fairy tales, proverbs, ballads, and folksongs, that are still actively practiced in modern China. Through a theoretical framework that elucidates the enduring vitality and validity of Chinese culture, Zhang sheds light on the core and arbitrary identity markers that have shaped its history for thousands of years. This framework, which serves as a cultural self-healing mechanism, holds immense relevance for the study of other traditions and cultures worldwide.

The author skillfully weaves these oral traditions across time and space, creating a captivating intellectual journey. From the tale of Chinese Cinderella to the tales of the Grimms in China, from proverbs like "older ginger is spicier" to the philosophical perspectives of the Chinese, and from mountain songs and ballads to the musical instruments like the clay-vessel-flute, readers are transported to a world rich in cultural heritage.

"Oral Traditions in Contemporary China" serves as a valuable bridge between Chinese and international folklore scholarship, as well as other related disciplines. It offers a rich resource for those interested in Chinese culture in general, as well as Chinese folklore, literature, and oral tradition in particular. The book provides a deep understanding of the complexities and richness of Chinese society, offering insights into its historical, social, and cultural dimensions.

In conclusion, "Oral Traditions in Contemporary China: Healing a Nation" is a must-read for anyone seeking to delve into the captivating world of Chinese culture and folklore. Through its systematic survey and theoretical framework, Zhang offers a profound understanding of the enduring vitality and validity of Chinese culture, making it an invaluable resource for scholars and enthusiasts alike.

Weight: 417g
Dimension: 231 x 152 x 16 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781793645159