The Genesis, Evolution, and Academic Significance of Southwest Chinese Ethnography in the 20th Century

Examining the century-long history of anthropology in China reveals that ethnography in a broad sense emerged concurrently with, if not earlier than, the discipline itself. The Southwest region represents one of the most fertile grounds for anthropological fieldwork in China. An analysis of ethnographic texts from this area demonstrates that since its introduction to China, ethnography has not merely replicated Western models but has continually adapted to the Chinese context, carving out its own creative space. The characteristics of Chinese ethnography in the 20th century can be summarized in three aspects: first, its connection with traditional local gazetteers and historiography in the early 20th century; second, its focus on ethnic classification and documentation during the early decades of the People’s Republic, which contributed to the systematic categorization of ethnic minorities; and third, its engagement in Sino-Western academic dialogue, textual revision, and interdisciplinary approaches in the post-reform era. Building on this framework, this paper explores how the encounters and developmental trajectories of Chinese anthropology since its arrival in China have influenced the formulation and style of ethnographic writing. It also examines how ethnography has transformed in content, form, and expression across different periods to portray China, assesses the significance of these transformations, and discusses their impact on the understanding of China and the evolution of Chinese anthropology.