Journey Of A Village In Mountain Area, Fujian Province, South-west (Ming Dynasty-Republic Of China) Story Of Ta-xia Village

This thesis attempts to illustrate the process of transition and construction of Ta-xia village, mountain area of south-west Fujian province, from Ming dynasty to Republic of China, by means of investigation and documental interpretation, which contains various documents and oral history.Ta-xia, a particular village among this region, is located in mountain area of south-west Fujian province. It is significant in sense of academic to learn the process of social change and development in Ta-xia, while trying to explore to the relationship between the local community and a more complicated regional society in this mountain area of south-west Fujian province.Three aspects could be found in the process of development in Ta-xia village: (1) history of migration of the Zhang's family, Ta-xia village, Ming dynasty, accounts where the family members migrated and how they began their living, in that upheaval. (2) This phase lasts from early to middle of Qing dynasty, when the Empire attempted to consolidate the regime with the ethics of Confucius; the Zhang's family gradually acquainted the classic of Confucius as well educated peasants as local elites later and leaded the villagers to construct their clan and village. (3) This phase lasts from middle of Qing dynasty to Republic of China, people in the clan of Zhang, Ta-xia, evolved into the trend of migration to Taiwan and South-east Asia, caused by pressures from constantly increasing population and shrinking farm land after the flourishing ages of Kangxi and Qianlong periods. Members of the clan had become as successful businessmen as overseas Chinese, when they went back, and attracted more fellows to join them. New characteristic emerged, finally, as members of the Zhang's clan continued the responsibility of gentry and construction of the village.In brief, this thesis describes the historical process of social change and construction in Ta-xia, via micro-analysis and case study, which could help us a further understanding of the social evolution and the process of formation of the village in mountain area of south-west Fujian province, and the relationship between social construction and development in this region.