Kuah explores the centrality of ancestors and ancestor worship of the Chinese in the Diaspora Chinese and China universes. Building on the original work and book on "Rebuilding the Ancestral Village: Singaporeans in China", this book goes beyond the premise of remaking the ancestral home to uncover the complexities of ancestor worship.

Khun Eng Kuah is Distinguished Professor of Anthropology and Chinese Diaspora Studies at the School of International Studies and Academy of Overseas Chinese Studies in Jinan University (Guangzhou, China) and Adjunct Professor at the Department of Chinese Studies in National University of Singapore. Her primary research areas are Diaspora Chinese - China Relations; and Religion, politics and society, Reformist Buddhism and Buddhist compassion in East and Southeast and Asia.

Table of Contents

Preface

Acknowledgements

Figures

Photos Captions

Chapter 1: Introduction: Ancestor Worship in the Diaspora and Mainland Chinese Universes

Chapter 2: Why Ancestors Matter?

Chapter 3: Ancestors across Transnational Spaces: From Luodi Shenggen to Yeluo Guigen

Chapter 4: Ancestor's Soul Homes

Chapter 5: Lineage Ancestral House and Its Symbolism

Chapter 6: Chinese Women and Ancestral Food Offerings

Chapter 7: Ritual Performance of Ancestor Worship: A Photographic Journey

Chapter 8: Ancestors' Worth in Contemporary China: Economic Capital and Cultural Heritage

Chapter 9: Qingming Festival as a National Cultural Icon: The Reach of the Mainland Chinese State

Chapter 10: Conclusion: Future of Ancestor Worship and the Making of a Collaborative Cultural Basin

Glossary

Index

Bibliography