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WORLD ANTHROPOLOGICAL UNION

CONGRESS 2024​

Paper

Making Knowledge, Crafting Skills: The Master-Disciple Model in Chinese Cultural Heritage

presenters

    Marta Neskovic

    Nationality: Serbia

    Residence: Serbia

    Institute for Political Studies, Belgrade & Institute for History of Natural Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences

    Presence:Face to Face/ On Site

Keywords:

intangible cultural heritage, intergenerational knowledge transmission, Shaolin Kung Fu, Luo style orthopedics, China

Abstract:

This presentation examines the resilience of traditional Chinese intangible heritage through the lens of intergenerational transmission, particularly via the master-disciple pedagogical model. Using Shaolin Kungfu and Luo style orthopedics as case studies—both recognized as Chinese intangible cultural heritage—this study underscores the dynamic process of traditional knowledge remaking in contemporary contexts. Rooted in long-term participant observation and deep immersion, this analysis highlights how these practices are not merely preserved but actively recreated and adapted to modern challenges. By focusing on the nuances of the master-disciple relationship, the presentation aims to reveal the intricate ways in which knowledge and skills are transmitted across generations, ensuring both the continuity and development of cultural practices. The presentation seeks to enrich the dialogue on how diverse cultural practices can inform and reshape our understanding of knowledge transmission in anthropology.