Abstract

Based on the fieldwork materials and document literatures，this book looks at the “state-lization” of traditional folk music in contemporary China. The book first discusses the meaning of “huaer” in regard to belief systems，hereto-sex relationships，and social-cultural meanings of daily lives. Then it analyzes huaer’s making process from the perspectives of ethnicity，folk religion，music inter-flows between ethnic groups，state policies，knowledge production，and commercialization of folk music. Particular attention has been paid to how the state manipulates the folk singing behavior into becoming a bazar festive showcase，how governmental land-reform and immigration policies give rise in integration music cultures of the Han and Zang nationalities，as well as how the state re-engineers huaer in the context of preserving “Intangible Cultural Heritage”.

In this book，the author tries to interpret the history and present status of huaer by examining negotiations between the state and the folk，from the level of national and local -with the former often over-powers the latter. It points out the role of state’s ideology in the making and maintaining of “folk” music in today’s society. It also calls for reflections and queries about the degree of truth that many “folk music” claimed to have preserved in their “authentic context”.