Contemporary Inheritance and Innovation of Traditional Chinese Folk Culture — A Case Study of Shehuo Folk Customs

Abstract

Shehuo is a traditional folk cultural form in northern rural communities, integrating sacrificial rituals, folk performances, and visual arts, carrying profound collective rural memories and serving as a spiritual refuge for the masses. From ancient land worship to contemporary efforts in protecting intangible cultural heritage, the evolution of Shehuo's cultural connotations and values has consistently stemmed from changes in social production methods and organizational structures. The current structural challenges facing Shehuo—such as a generational gap in transmission, shrinking original performance contexts, and erosion of cultural authenticity—originate from fundamental shifts in the conditions supporting folk traditions during the transition from agrarian civilization to modern industrial society. To achieve dynamic preservation of Shehuo, creative transformation and innovative development should be advanced through three dimensions: talent cultivation, spatial reconfiguration, and value construction, all while preserving its core cultural essence. Additionally, mechanisms to safeguard cultural authenticity must be established, providing pathways and vitality for the inheritance and innovation of this folk culture.