1. People and Cultures SE Asia

2. Tradition and Change Communism and change in China –1949 Communists came to power and made changes in the Chinese way of life –The government ended the old system of land ownership –Created communes (communities in which land is held in common and where members live and work together –Chinese farmers were bitter at losing their land they lived in family groups that worked together in small fields Farmers resisted communes Food production fell

3. Tradition and Change There were terrible food shortages –Communists tried to slow China’s population growth by attacking the idea of large families. –Chinese couples are supposed to wait until their late twenties to marry –No more than one child per family –Chinese families with only one child receives rewards.

4. Tradition and Change –Under communism The position of women has improved –Earlier Chinese women worked at home –Now most work in full time jobs outside the home. –One of the first laws passed allowed a woman to own property, choose her husband, and get a divorce. Men still hold most of the power Many marriages are still arranged Old traditions are strongest in rural areas –Shops sell traditional cures made from herbs

5. Tradition and Change Changing Korea –Daily life is still affected by long standing traditions The family is still important, though the avg. family is smaller today The family still looks after the welfare of all of its members Extended family may live in one household –Modern ways are much more visible in rural areas.

6. Tradition and Change Tradition dress is used for holidays The role of women has changed

7. Tradition and Change Japan’s blend of old and new –Most up-to-date of the East Asian countries –Japanese work at computers in skyscrapers and ride home on trains –Once home they may elect to follow more traditional customs Change into kimonos Sit on mats at a low table to eat

8. Tradition and Change Japanese use more modern technology that then rest of East Asia. –They try hard to preserve the past –Several years ago, Japanese saw their tradition arts and crafts dying out –The government began offering lifetime salaries to some artists –The main task of the artists is to teach young people who will keep the ancient arts alive –Referred to as National Living Treasures

9. East Asia’s People China: the Han and others 19/20 Chinese people trace their ancestry to the Han (China’s second dynasty) Although there is a different dialect, the language of the Han is the same The other Chinese come from 55 different minority groups that live mainly in the western parts of China

10. Tradition and Change Korea and Japan: Few Minorities –Historian believe that ancient Koreans were descended from many different groups of nomads from Mongolia Nomads are people who have no settled home. They move from place to place in search of water and grazing for their herds. –Over centuries, these groups lost their separate traditions. –They formed one homogeneous group

11. Tradition and Change Japan has one of the most homogeneous populations on the Earth. –Nearly all of the people belong to the same ethnic group that shares language, religion, and cultural traditions. –Minority groups are few, but the Ainu, who may have been Japan’s first inhabitants. –Small numbers of Chinese and Koreans also live in Japan