Culture, Ritual, and Revolution in Vietnam (Anthropology of Asia Series) (Anthropology in Asia)

This is a study of the history and consequences of the revolutionary campaign to transform culture and ritual in northern Vietnam. Based upon official documents and several years of field research in Thinh Liet commune, a Red River delta community near Hanoi, it provides the first detailed account of the nature of revolutionary cultural reform in Vietnam as well as how those reforms continue to animate contemporary socio-cultural life. Beginning with the tumultuous 1954 land reform in Thinh Liet, the study examines the key foci of revolutionary cultural change, such as the articulation of a new moral system, the attempts to eliminate explanations that invoke supernatural causality, the creation of socialist weddings and funerals, and the development of innovative ties to commemorate war dead. From their inception, these reforms were controversial, as they raised powerful questions regarding the proper fulfillment of moral obligations, the ideal constitution of society, the nature of the world and the position and abilities of humans within it. By examining debates over culture, ritual, and morality that have emerged between residents, notably between men and women, and party members and non-party members, the study shows how ideas and values that preceded the revolution have entered into a creative dialogue with those that were articulated by the revolution, and how this has produced an innovative set of ritual and other cultural practices, particularly since the relaxation of the cultural reform agenda in the post-1986 period. Drawing from official documents and field research in the Thinh Liet commune, this study provides a detailed account of Vietnam's revolutionary cultural reform and its continued impact of contemporary society. Beginning with mid-century land reform, the book identifies key points in revolutionary change, including the articulation of a new moral system, the shift away from supernatural explanations, the creation of socialist weddings and funerals, an the commemoration of war dead. Tensions between traditions and revolutionary ideals, between men and women, and between party members and the rest of society receive particular scrutiny. Malarney teaches cultural anthropology at the International Christian University in Tokyo. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com) Shaun Kingsley Malarney. Originally Presented As The Author's Thesis (ph. D.--university Of Michigan, 1993) Under The Title: Ritual And Revolution In Viet Nam. First Published In The United Kingdom By Routledgecurzon -- T.p. Verso. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 234-241) And Index. This is a study of the history and consequences of the revolutionary campaign to transform culture and ritual in northern Vietnam. Based on official documents and several years of field research, it provides a detailed account of the nature of revolutionary cultural reform in Vietnam