Folk Culture in China's Zhejiang Province, Illustrated: The Flowing Mother River

Zhejiang province, located on China's east coast and with a population of over 50 million, is the fourth largest economy in China. The province boasts varied landforms, time-honored cultural traditions and diversified lifestyles. The folk culture of the province, dating back to over 7,000 years ago, is splendid and gorgeous, vividly mirroring the spirits and lifestyles of the people in Zhejiang. Folk Culture in China's Zhejiang Province puts together 60 living cultural forms among the varied folk treasures and categorizes them into five groups: civilian dwellings, arts and crafts, operas and music, dances, festivals and folklores. In a clear style and with pictures, the book provides an overview of the origin, history, cultural value and inheritance of the folk culture in the province. Some of the highlights include Chinese clan culture, Chinese porcelain and sword making, the graceful female-only opera, folk lantern dance of "carp turning into dragon," and the customs of marrying daughters. The book aims to help people around the world, especially the English-speaking readers, have a better understanding of Chinese folk culture. It is appropriate for both the general readership and the academic community. Tong Shaosu is the chair of the Education, Science, Culture and Public Health Committee of Zhejiang Provincial People's Congress, the director and professor of Women's Research Center of Zhejiang University, the vice chair of Chinese Women's Research Society, and the president of Zhejiang Association for Folk Culture Promotion. Prior to the current positions, Tong had worked at Hangzhou University and Zhejiang Agricultural University, engaged in teaching and research in science, philosophy and women's studies as well as in university administration.