A Study On The Property Of The Clans In Jiangxi Province From Qing Dynasty To The Period Of Republic Of China

The property of the clans in Jiangxi province varied in forms from Qing Dynasty to the period of Republic of China. The most common types include land, ancestral temples, houses, woods, shops, cash, ponds, workshops, bridges, temples, ferries, etc. In the south of Jiangxi, there were markets controlled by clans. Clan associations prevailed to handle the inner affairs and raise fund for the public welfare. These associations fell into four categories: education, economy, religious ritual, and entertainment. Each had many branches covering all aspects of life and closely related to clan members. These associations contributed to enhance the clan’s cohesiveness, improve the public welfare and promote the clan’s influence. Since clan associations accounted for a great proportion of the clan property, and since clan associations were large in number and full in range, clan economy in Jiangxi province were prosperous from Qing dynasty to the period of Republic of China.Before the state governor of Jiangxi in Qianlong period banned the ancestral temples, the clans developed fast in the area and ancestral temples increased drastically. However, the property of the clans was so meager that it could only cover the expense of the rituals. The banning brought a setback to the clans’development. But overall, the property of the clans increased consistently. Although the distribution of property in different clans were not even, it was quite common that the land and ancestral temples composed the major part of the clan property and were highly valued. Among all types of clan-owned land, the land for sacrifice ranked top, while the land for charity and the land for education were next. The clan-owned land constituted 6% of the total farming land till the end of Qing Dynasty,12% before the birth of People’s Republic of China. The ratio in mountain areas was higher than that in plain areas. In some counties in mountain area, this ratio was so high as to 40%.The clan-owned property came from various sources, but mainly from inheritance, including sacrifice and hills. Sacrifice inherited from the ancestors was the first type which could produce profits, while cemeteries on the hills were essential to every clan. Donation from the clan members was another way to accumulate the clan property. Donation from the rich would increase the clan property. However, most clan members in Jiangxi were poor. Therefore, the compulsive donation was a common method to raise fund for clan affairs in Qing Dynasty. Clan associations raised fund to build up ancestral temples through donation which became part of the clan-owned property. In south Jiangxi, it was quite common to offer land as sacrifice for the ancestors. After the worshipping ceremony, the surplus was put into investment and thus appreciated the clan property. The clan made lots of regulations to collect money from its members, such as new-born-baby fee, service fee, fines for breaking the rules, confiscating the property of the dead, etc. in Jiangxi, most clans were run by Zuzhang, Zuzheng, or Zuyue, assisted by Shoushi, Zhinian, Jinshou. Few clan leaders were inherited. Most of them were elected by clan members basing on their character and talents. The election was relatively fair and most of the elected received education. People like Fangzhang, Shoushi could avoid the dictatorship of Zuzhang. The management of ancestral temples in the province differed between the cities and the countryside. The clan land could be run by clan members, offices assigned, or bigger ancestral temples. Clan members could take turns to run it as well. In a few cases, the land was attended by servants. But in most cases, the land was rental. The management of cash and rent was highly valued in all clans. Several copies of financial statements would be kept by different people. The people who were in charge of money would serve only a certain period of time and then be replaced. The profit from the investment would be used to buy land and other property.From Qing dynasty to the period of Republic of China, clans in Jiangxi put the clan property into the use to offer sacrifice, build ancestral temples, compile family trees, promote education and donate for the poor and widows. These contributions have eased the conflicts within the clan and enhanced the cohesiveness. However, there were some problems in the management of the clan property. For instance, the regulations were not strictly enforced and not adaptable to the time. Some people in charge abused and even embezzled the money. Meanwhile, disputes over the management and clan property took place now and then. As a special form of clan property, cemeteries were often the cause of dispute when they were damaged. Under the premise of protecting ancestors’remains, agreements and clear boundaries were set to prevent stealing and accroachment.