I HAVE to thank all those who have encouraged and
helped me in my field investigation and in my pre-
paration of this book. Above all, I must acknowledge
my indebtedness to the following teachers and friends:

To Professors Wu Wen-tsao and S. M. Shirokogoroff
I owe my early training in sociology and ethnology, and
encouragement in introducing the intensive field
investigation in studying Chinese culture. My sister,
whose devotion to the rehabilitation of the livelihood
of the villagers has actually inspired me to take up this
investigation, had introduced me to the village and
financed my work. Later, I was awarded a scholarship
by Tsing Hua University, which enabled me to pursue
my study in England and, so to speak, "to enter
under the door" of Professor B. Malinowski. His
intellectual inspiration and paternal affection during
the past two years has imposed on me a life-long filial
duty--a duty, as I understand, to share his heavy burden
in building up a science of man, and in realizing a
genuine co-operation among all civilizations.

I must thank Mr. G. F. A. Wint, Dr. and Mrs.
Raymond Firth, Dr. M. H. Read, Mr. C. Wrong and
Miss M. Wrong for their kindness in reading my
manuscript and in correcting my English. I was also
assisted in various ways by members of the Seminar
in the London School of Economics, especially Mr.
P. L. Haksar and L. K. Hsü.

Finally, let me remember my wife, who died for
Anthropology in our expedition to the Yao Mountains
in 1935. Her solemn sacrifice leaves me no alternative
but to follow her always. To her this book is dedicated.

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