Neutralizing Temporary Inequities in Moral Status: Chinese Street Singers and the Gift Economy

Horlor, Samuel

Abstract

The cash tips that audience members offer to singers are a central part of the informal performances of popular songs held daily in public spaces of Wuhan, China. The singing, plus various forms of attention and material offerings, temporarily raise performers' moral status over that of audience members, inspiring reciprocal obligations that are neutralized by the giving of cash. By understanding the money as gifts rather than as part of transactions, the article explores the interpersonal dimensions of economic dealings around the music. Reciprocal obligations, rather than notions of collective belonging, are the main focal point for social meaning here.

Citation

Horlor, S. (2019). Neutralizing Temporary Inequities in Moral Status: Chinese Street Singers and the Gift Economy. Asian music, 50(2), 3-32. https://doi.org/10.1353/amu.2019.0013

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jan 14, 2019
• Online Publication Date: Jun 25, 2019
• Publication Date: Jun 25, 2019
• Deposit Date: Jul 3, 2019
• Publicly Available Date: Jun 25, 2020
• Journal: Asian Music
• Print ISSN: 0044-9202
• Electronic ISSN: 1553-5630
• Publisher: University of Texas Press
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 50
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 3-32
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1353/amu.2019.0013
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1327556