Living with Separation in China

Download or read book Living with Separation in China written by Charles Stafford and published by Routledge. This book was released on 2003-09-02 with total page 268 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: 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.