This thesis is the ethnography of Sheung Shui village in the New Territories of Hong Kong. According to the studies on lineage, rituals and contemporary politics since 1980s, I would like to examine some details of tradition which help the Liu lineage to maintain the balance of power in the rural community.

The research concentrates on how the individuals imply the lineage to improving conditions in Hong Kong, or expanding their networks in mainland China through the composition and power base of lineage.

I argue that different leaders of the Lius in Sheung Shui practice tradition in different ways, although some of their efforts were conducted beyond the relationship of agnatic descent to meet the need of constructing clans, they contribute to the understanding of indigenous...[ Read more ]

This thesis is the ethnography of Sheung Shui village in the New Territories of Hong Kong. According to the studies on lineage, rituals and contemporary politics since 1980s, I would like to examine some details of tradition which help the Liu lineage to maintain the balance of power in the rural community.

The research concentrates on how the individuals imply the lineage to improving conditions in Hong Kong, or expanding their networks in mainland China through the composition and power base of lineage.

I argue that different leaders of the Lius in Sheung Shui practice tradition in different ways, although some of their efforts were conducted beyond the relationship of agnatic descent to meet the need of constructing clans, they contribute to the understanding of indigenous culture in the context of urbanization.