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

Horlor, Samuel

doi:10.1353/amu.2019.0013

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

Horlor, Samuel

Authors

Dr Samuel Horlor s.p.horlor@durham.ac.uk
Lecturer

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
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

Files

Accepted Journal Article (609 Kb)
PDF

Copyright Statement
This is a pre-copyedited version of an article accepted for publication in Asian music following peer review. The definitive publisher-authenticated version is available through the University of Texas Press.