伟大的中国既是东方文明古国,也是世界文明古国,56个民族兄弟般地团结、和睦、共处在一个民族大家庭里。几千年来,中国文化传统源远流长连续不断,这在世界上是绝无仅有的。中国文化的这种“协和万邦”的特性,非常突出,引起了海内外许多有识之士的垂青。著名的历史学家汤因比(Toynbee)等人认为未来的“世界一个体化”要以中国文化为主导。许多学者认为21世纪将是东方文化大放光彩的世纪,中国文化引起了世人的特别关注。 民俗文化是人类整个文化的根基,是各族人民的集体创造,其内涵极其丰富、深邃。对一个民族来说,民俗文化是民族的精神支柱,具有极大的民族凝聚力。即使在遥远的海外,共同的中华风俗坚守不衰,成为华人团结的重要标志。各民族人民之所以能够经受住历史的风风雨雨一直生活到今天,有赖民俗文化的创造和传承。中国境内的所有民族,不论大小,都对中国文化的总体,作出了各自独特的贡献,有很多值得其他民族好好学习之处。因此,用科学方法,对各个民族的民俗文化进行全面而系统的调查与研究,是一个极其重要而艰巨的历史任务。它对于加强各个民族之间的相互了解,对于加强民族团结和民族文化交流,对于发扬优秀的文化传统,更好地建设社会主义的物质文明和精神文明,对于各门学科,特别是社会人文学科 The great China is both an ancient civilized country in the East as well as an ancient civilization in the world. 56 ethnic groups are brotherly united, harmonious and living together in a large family nation. For thousands of years, the tradition of Chinese culture has a long history, which is unprecedented in the world. This kind of “co-prosperity” characteristic of Chinese culture is very prominent, arousing the attention of many people of insight at home and abroad. The famous historian Toynbee and others believe that the future “world of a body” should be dominated by Chinese culture. Many scholars believe that the 21st century will be a glorious century of oriental culture. Chinese culture has drawn special attention from the world. Folk culture is the foundation of the entire human culture and the collective creation of people of all ethnic groups. Its content is extremely rich and profound. For a nation, folk culture is the spiritual pillar of the nation, with great national cohesion. Even in faraway overseas, the common Chinese customs are unwavering and have become an important symbol of Chinese solidarity. The reason why the peoples of all ethnic groups have been able to withstand the ups and downs of history has been living to this day, relying on the creation and inheritance of folk culture. All ethnic groups within China, regardless of size, have made unique contributions to the overall Chinese culture. Many have deserved a good study by other ethnic groups. Therefore, it is an extremely important and arduous historical task to conduct a comprehensive and systematic investigation and study of the folklore of all ethnic groups with scientific methods. It is of great significance to strengthening mutual understanding among all ethnic groups, strengthening national unity and ethnic and cultural exchanges, carrying forward excellent cultural traditions and building a better material and spiritual civilization of socialism. It is also of great significance to all disciplines, especially the social humanities