Journal of China in Global and Comparative Perspectives

Abstract: This speech takes ‘a swan’s trace in snow’ from Fei Xiaotong’s poem as a cue, briefly outlines certain influences on Fei’s anthropology and on anthropology more generally. It emphasizes fieldwork takes place in particular historical contexts, which helps to shape anthropological knowledge. It also briefly discussed the author’s own research in Taiwan in relation to other researchers working in other very different places. It attempts to underline the significance for social anthropology of fieldwork, and to echo Professor Fei’s calls for a revitalised, and fieldwork-based, Chinese anthropology. Finally it suggests that anthropology must be comparative to truly engage with modern, and international, anthropological debates.

Keywords: fieldwork, comparison, ethnography, concepts, the Anthropology of Fei Xiaotong