Customs

In 'Hedda Morrison in Peking: a personal recollection', Alasatir Morrison writes: 'Ranging around the great city on her bicycle, always with her Rolleiflex camera strung around her neck, she never lacked subjects to photograph. Apart from a wide range of architectural studies she was especially interested in crafts and the everyday activities of people'. In 'A photographer in Old Peking', Hedda Morrison writes: 'The streets were the scene of colourful wedding and funeral processions. Every Chinese family, rich and poor alike, sought to honour these occasions to the utmost limit permitted by their family resources. The ceremonies themselves were elaborate. They were held largely in the home, but processions were an essential element conducted through the streets and accompanied by music. The organisation was in the hands of specialist firms which hired out paraphernalia and provided the necessary. The latter wore green gowns ornamented with stencilled designs, and conical hats of the same shape as those used by Manchu dynasty officials, topped with red tassels'.

92/1414-214 Photograph, 'Funeral procession', black and white, silver gelatin print, by Hedda Morrison, Peking, China, 1933-1946. 92/1414-326 Photograph, 'Ritual procession of Buddhist nuns in the Western City', black and white, silver gelatin print, by Hedda Morrison, Peking, China, 1933-1946. 92/1414-310 Photograph, 'Playing Chinese chess', black and white, silver gelatin print, by Hedda Morrison, Peking, China, 1933-1946. 92/1414-218 Photograph, 'Funeral procession at the foot of Zhengyang Gate Watchtower', black and white, silver gelatin print, by Hedda Morrison, Peking, China, 1933-1946. 92/1414-255 Photograph, 'Buddhist monk making an offering', black and white, silver gelatin print, by Hedda Morrison, Peking, China, 1933-1946.
92/1414-318 Photograph, black and white, 'Paying respects at New Year', Hedda Morrison, Peking, China, 1933-1946. 92/1414-285 Photograph, 'Daoist musician playing multi-toned gongs at a funeral', black and white, silver gelatin print, by Hedda Morrison, Peking, China, 1933-1946. 92/1414-248 Photograph, 'Traditional musical instruments being played at a funeral', black and white, silver gelatin print, by Hedda Morrison, Peking, China, 1933-1946. 92/1414-228 Photograph, 'Burning incense to the city god at the Chenghuang Temple', black and white, silver gelatin print, by Hedda Morrison, Peking, China, 1933-1946.