North-seeking from the global South: Rediscovering Francis L.K. Hsu’s contributions to decolonizing the discipline in Under the Ancestors’ Shadow

Abstract

This article reexamines Francis L.K. Hsu’s Under the Ancestors’ Shadow, positioning it as a critical yet underappreciated work that significantly contributes to the decolonization of anthropology. This early work confronts mainstream Eurocentric theories, such as internal other, settler colonialism, Parsonsian structural functionalism, Boasian culture-specific approaches, and the traditional village-specific, primitive society-focused lens of anthropological inquiry. At the same time, Hsu introduced innovative perspectives that hold great potential for cross-cultural comparative studies, including his analyses of borderland China, the culturally integrated Chinese identity, the concept of the dominant dyad, his early-stage exploration of psychological anthropology, and his emphasis on literate civilizations. In today’s context, Hsu’s approach resonates with the growing movement to decolonize anthropology. By critiquing Eurocentric theories, he advocated for a more inclusive, globally relevant framework that addresses broader social structures. His work calls for a rethinking of anthropological methodologies that stresses the integration of both local and global perspectives. Hence, Hsu’s framework offers a forward-looking direction for anthropology and promotes a decolonial method that empowers the comparative study of literate civilized societies. This positions Hsu’s work as essential in reimagining the discipline for the contemporary era.