Lineage And Local Society In The Central And Eastern Parts Of Shanxi Province Since The Jin And Yuan Dyanasties

This paper studies the development history of lineage and the relationship with grass-roots society in the central and eastern parts of Shanxi Province from a long-duration vision. Lineage genealogies, local records, inscriptions, fieldworks are main materials.The main body of the paper can be divided into seven chapters in chronological order. Chapter one mainly investigates the hereditary marquises and lineages during the Jin and Yuan Dynasties. In last years of the Jin Dynasty, because of Mongolian army's strong offensive, leaders of armed groups in the central and eastern parts of Shanxi Province surrendered one after another. They conquered cities for Mongolian army, obtained rewards and became hereditary marquis lineages, which were prominent in local society. In the Jin and Yuan Dynasties, there were a few practices of lineage organization in this area, for example, they erected monuments, set up memorial tablets for their ancestors.Chapter two discusses the historical backgrounds of the lineage-organization construction in the central and eastern parts of Shanxi Province since the Ming Dynasty. Because of the government's advocacy, the Imperial culture developed rapidly. The group of scholars appeared, and formed many culture lineages. On the other hand, since the Ming Dynasty, business developed rapidly in central Shanxi, especially in Pingyao, Qixian, Taigu and other counties along the Fen River. Towns became prosperous, and merchants began to arise. In the early years of Daoguang period, exchange shops emerged. The merchants of central Shanxi developed into the peak period and became the leaders of China's finance. Many rich-merchant lineages formed.Chapter three discusses the construction activities of lineage organization in the Ming Dynasty in the central and eastern parts of Shanxi Province. Generally, in this area, histories of lineages can be traced back to the period between the last years of the Yuan Dynasty and the early years of the Ming Dynasty. Many lineages believed that they came from Hong tong in the Hongwu period. Because the government strongly advocated the theories of Zhu Xi and the sacrifice-etiquette reform in the medium period of the Ming Dynasty, the construction activities of lineage organization gradually increased. However, sacrificing ancestors in ancestral hall was not popular. There were high officials in the lineages that built ancestral halls. Sacrificing ancestors In the graveyard was the general manner.Chapter four discusses the construction activities of the central and eastern parts of Shanxi Province in the Qing Dynasty and Republic of China. Rulers of the Qing Dynasty vigorously advocated Confucianism, praise filial behaviors highly. Additionally, business developed and enhanced the economic strength. The lineage organizations trended to Civilian. In the earlier and medium periods of the Qing Dynasty, especially the Kangqian golden age, the linage constructions developed rapidly. And the late Qing Dynasty was the period of greatest prosperity. In last years of the Qing Dynasty and early years of Republic of China, there were many new characteristics of the lineage constructions in the central and eastern parts of Shanxi Province, such as democratic management and protection of women.Chapter five uses the examples of the Wang in Yuci, the Wang in Lingshi and the Ji in Pingyao to discuss the lineage construction activities of the rich businessmen's lineages, and investigate the relationship between managerial mode of Shanxi's merchants and the development of lineage organization. The development of business provided financial support for lineages, but there was internal conflict between them. Different from merchants of Huizhou, Quanzhou and Guangzhou, merchants of Shanxi generally employed fellow villagers, talents, not relatives. They encouraged their staff by personal share.Chapter six discusses the lineage organizations'effect in local affairs. The lineages of the central and eastern parts of Shanxi played significant roles in many things. For example, they repaired the city walls, bridges, roads, schools, defense facilities of villages and irrigation works. They relieved victims, organized local self-defense, pleaded for villagers. In last years of the Qing Dynasty, for retaking the right of mining from England, the lineages made significant contributions. They participated fundraising positively, subscribed stocks of Baojin Company, redeemed mining right, and developed the national capitalist industry. Chapter seven discusses the weak and common lineages, and the relations of She, religion and lineage organization. Weak lineages are common in central and eastern parts of Shanxi Province. There were a few people in each weak lineage. There was not patriarch, lineage property or ancestral hall. Their lineage genealogies were very simple. But most lineages attached great importance to sacrifice ancestors in the graveyard. On the Ching Ming Festival, they went to the graveyard to sacrifice their ancestors. That was their most important lineage activity. Since the Yuan Dynasty, She is the most important grass-roots organization in central and eastern parts of Shanxi Province. Some strong lineages dominated the leader posts for a long time. They had great influences in affairs of She, such as setting up barns. Religion was also important in people's everyday life of traditional society. Some lineages had their own temples, which were She and ancestral halls too. Many lineage organizations participated in activities of building and repairing temples. Religion and lineage organization affected echo other.