Life in a Kam village in southwest China, 1930-1949 / by Ou Chaoquan ; translated by D. Norman Geary.

• Superior document: Sinica Leidensia, v. 80
• Author: Ou, Chaoquan.
• TeilnehmendeR: Geary, D. Norman, 1958-
• Year of Publication: 2007
• Edition: 1st ed.
• Language: English
• Series: Sinica Leidensia ; v. 80.
• Physical Description: 1 online resource (312 p.)
• Notes: English translation of unpublished Chinese manuscript; hence no Chinese uniform title.

Although this unique insider's account of minority life in China is clearly a book in itself, it is also the sequel to the much-acclaimed The Kam People of China (Geary, Ou and others, 2003). It describes the hitherto scarcely researched culture of people from Xiangye village, in an untraveled corner of Guizhou province, Southwest China, in the 20 years leading up to Liberation in 1949. Xiangye is a Kam (Dong) nationality village, so the book highlights Kam culture of the 1930's and 1940's. It is a fascinating and unparalleled study, also offering exceptionally clear details of many aspects of material culture and social customs, for example, the work of rice-farming, cotton production, and cooking, beautifully illustrated with line drawings and photographs, that should appeal to anyone interested in the Kam people, China, or in ethnology generally. The author grew up in Xiangye and later became Professor of Anthropology at a university in Qinghai province. The manuscript was first written in Chinese, with the intention of having it translated into English for an outside readership.

Table of Contents

Location -- Langdong -- The name 'Kam' -- The villagers -- Physical characteristics of the people -- The village -- Farming -- Spinning and weaving -- Thrifty people -- Mornings and evenings -- Food -- Mealtime etiquette -- Drinks -- Clothing -- Coming-of-age -- Courtship by night -- Courtship by day -- Intimidating situations for young women -- Matchmakers -- Engagement ceremony -- Marriage and divorce -- Unorthodox marriages -- Marriage relationships -- The distinction in culture between men and women -- Clan-centred community -- Pipe-smoking elders -- No beggars or thieves -- Monotonous and primitive music -- Festivals and celebrations -- Children -- Survival in the midst of suffering -- Author's postscript -- Translator's postscript.