Reappropriating the communal past: lineage tradition revival as a way of constructing collective identity in Huizhou, China

The research explores the intricate relationship between history, heritage, and collective memory in contemporary China, particularly since the 2000s, within the context of national strategies promoting the revival of Confucianism and traditional culture. The study questions the role of cultural heritage in local society construction and its integration with contemporary social development. Focusing on Huizhou, the research examines how cultural heritage, under the influence of policy and economic investment, becomes a tool for social construction based on romanticized perceptions of the past. The specific case of Huangdun village, with its lineage worship revival, illustrates how heritage is redefined and repurposed for multi-group participation in identity building and economic development. The study aims to understand the interaction between spontaneous civil actions and local government responses, analyzing the interplay between folk and official levels rather than unilateral dominance.

The literature review establishes the constructed nature of heritage authenticity, emphasizing its role in romanticizing memories to serve contemporary group needs and reflecting power structures and discourse. It highlights the collective nature of heritage interpretation, requiring consensus in collective memory to broaden its scope and appeal. The review draws upon Halbwachs's concept of interconnected individual, collective, and historical memory and Norra's notion of 'memory places' as group-perspective carriers of collective identity reconstruction. It further discusses the use of heritage in community building and the challenges of integrating diverse individual viewpoints, negotiating relationships between local and official groups, and addressing issues of inequality. The review emphasizes the importance of heritage as a proxy for coordinating identity and the 'invention of tradition' as a means of reshaping history and building consensus. The review also contextualizes the Chinese approach to heritage, highlighting the emphasis on inheritance in change and the unique interplay between local and central government approaches to heritage management. Finally, the review addresses existing literature on Huizhou lineage culture and its historical impact, noting the gap in research on contemporary lineage revival.

The study employs a case study approach focusing on Huangdun village in the Huizhou region of Anhui Province, China. Data collection spanned from 2020 to April 2023 and included observations of three lineage worship rituals in 2023, applying non-participatory observation. Semistructured, open-ended interviews were conducted with sixteen individuals representing various backgrounds: villagers, village committee staff, lineage ceremony participants, and activists or experts involved in lineage affairs. Interviewees were categorized based on their roles, facilitating the understanding of their perspectives and attitudes towards lineage worship revitalization. The analysis involved a careful consideration of interviewee attributes and their diverse motivations (emotional, economic, social) as shown in Table 1. Secondary data sources included historical documents, policy texts, images, local chronicles, government work reports, and media reports to supplement primary data and provide historical context. The methodological rigor ensured a multifaceted perspective, capturing the nuances of diverse stakeholders' involvement in the lineage revival.

The revival of lineage worship in Huangdun is intricately linked to the reconstruction of the lineage and Confucian tradition. The unearthing and restoration of a stone archway and the rebuilding of the SanFuzi Ci memorial hall, both with government support and local participation, symbolize the village's connection to Neo-Confucianism and its historical significance. This revival brought significant financial subsidies and publicity to the village, leading to improvements in infrastructure. The revival of ancestor worship ceremonies, initially by the Cheng lineage and later by other lineages, demonstrates a resurgence of tradition after a period of suppression. These ceremonies involve participants from across China and overseas, leveraging the influence of prominent lineage members to legitimize the practice and garner public support. The ceremonies, however, are not simply about worshipping ancestors; they've become platforms for reinforcing national narratives of stability and patriotism, subtly aligning with official discourse. The narratives woven into the rituals connect individual and lineage success to national stability, making the practices more palatable to the government. Interviews with various stakeholders reveal diverse motivations for participation, ranging from economic benefits and social connections to a renewed sense of belonging and cultural pride. While younger generations exhibit less enthusiasm, the ceremonies provide an opportunity to connect with history and culture, even if merely as a social event. The research highlights the transformation of ancestor worship into a means of uniting a cultural community transcending geographical boundaries, strengthening cross-regional identity and reinforcing a broader notion of 'Huizhou people.' The activities involve a delicate balancing act, subtly aligning with national policies while serving local interests, leading to a mutually beneficial but potentially conflicted relationship between folk and official aspirations.

The findings demonstrate that the reappropriation of heritage and tradition in Huangdun is a complex process of social construction and cultural reshaping. The focus on collective identity building and the integration of folk and official discourses highlight the nuanced interplay between grassroots mobilization and national policy. The study challenges simplistic views of government control, revealing a more complex negotiation of power and interests. The revival of lineage traditions has provided a platform for local development, economic opportunities, and community building, aligning with national agendas while addressing local needs. The study shows how the reinterpretation and reuse of heritage can generate a romanticized imagination, enabling the construction of inclusive communities based on shared identity and the value of 'harmony.' The success of the Huangdun case lies in its ability to connect local practices to national narratives, thereby achieving both grassroots mobilization and official acquiescence. The findings resonate with the contemporary Chinese emphasis on 'cultural genes' as a means of ideological inheritance, demonstrating the strategic use of tradition to achieve broader social and political goals.

This study demonstrates the reappropriation of heritage and tradition in Huizhou, China, as a powerful tool for constructing collective identity and achieving economic development. The revival of lineage worship in Huangdun village showcases a complex interplay of local agency and national policy, illustrating how seemingly traditional practices can be subtly aligned with broader ideological goals. Further research could explore the long-term impacts of this approach on local power dynamics, community cohesion, and the potential for conflicts between folk and official interests. The study also suggests the need for a more nuanced understanding of heritage practice, moving beyond simplistic dichotomies between tangible and intangible elements and recognizing the inherent fluidity and negotiability of cultural meanings.

The study focuses on a single village in Huizhou, limiting the generalizability of findings. While the data collection methods aimed for diverse perspectives, biases inherent in interview-based research remain. Future research could benefit from broader geographical scope, comparative studies, and the incorporation of additional data sources like quantitative data on economic impacts. The reliance on self-reported data from interviews might introduce a degree of subjectivity.