Khoo Boo Eng has travelled far and wide even to the remote villages in China, learning the peasant folk religion cults and exposing himself to their interesting folklores and festivals. This experience led him to write “Chinese Culture: Folklores, Festivals, Deities” (published by Partridge Singapore)
This book provides readers, in a simple, easy to understand language an insight of China’s folklores, festivals and local deities. These folklores, festivals and deities provides an in-depth understanding and appreciation of the building blocks of the rich culture, way of life and traditions of the Chinese people over thousands of years.
Folklores have become part and parcel of the folk religion cults in China which are generally classified as nation, provinces or in certain villages. The festivals and the deities may be related to the folklores. Some of these Tao deities are not popularly known as Tai Shang Lao Jun, Cai Shen of Good Fortune/Wealth or the Jade Emperor, Yu Huang Da Di. The deities are the Tiger God, Ox-Head and Horse-Face, Black and White Guards and Thunder God.
“Little has been written about these deities of the folk-religion and folklores. Strangely enough, the folk-religion lingers on and in fact in some places actually blossoms especially among the overseas Chinese communities in Taiwan, Macau and Southeast Asia. In my travels, I have found beautiful temples housing these deities. One of the reasons that even in modern days, younger well-educated generation still adhere to the folk religion is that they are the children and grandchildren of the immigrants from whom they have inherited the peasant folk culture,” the author says.
When asked what he wants readers to take away from the book, the author answers, “To treat this book as a trip to unfold the universe of rich Chinese traditional beliefs and folklores of the Chinese people.”
“Chinese Culture: Folklores, Festivals, Deities”
By Khoo Boo Eng
Hardcover | 8.5 x 8.5in | 82 pages | ISBN 9781543768848
Softcover | 8.5 x 8.5in | 82 pages | ISBN 9781543768831
E-Book | 82 pages | ISBN 9781543768855
Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble
About the Author
Khoo Boo Eng has been in the line of education for 40 years. In his teaching career, he has written 25 books on the English subject for secondary schools. He was honored thrice by the Governor of Penang for his contributions to society, the latest award being Darjah Johan Negeri (DJN).
