Boundary And Integration:Ethnic Relationship Between Miao And Shui At A Multi-ethnic Village In The South Of Guizhou Province

China is a multi-ethnic nation.National development and prosperity are based on harmonious ethnic relationship.In the process of their communicative interaction,Shui and Miao,who have lived separately in Zenlei Village,south of Guizhou Province,shows the idea of “separation” and “incorporation”,indicating their “boundary” and “communication,exchange and blend”,and presenting a “harmonious cohabitation” picture of coexistence and harmony in diversity.The in-depth analysis of the mechanism and internal logic of the formation of the harmonious ethnic relationship in Zenlei Village can not only provide the experience on how to deal with the ethnic problems for other regions,but also provide the beneficial inspiration for the construction of theories in the harmonious ethnic relationship.In the form of ethnography,based on real scenes of communication,coexistence and cohabitation between Miao and Shui,with elaborate case studies by two-way communication and interaction with peoples,this paper describes manners and processes of interaction between the two peoples from the perspective of synchrony.On the one hand,it gives a restricted view on carriers,contents,processes of communication and interaction in multi-ethnic villages and mechanisms of cross-ethnic harmony;On the other hand,it studies the formation theory in macro-level and the internal logic of harmonious ethnic relationship.This paper is based on four types of theory,namely,mutual respect and compatibility on culture level,interpersonal exchange on individual level,mutual aid on economy level,restraint and balance on power level.By discussing the individualized cases,such as celebrating for each others' holidays,learning each others' traditions and customs,employing each others' wizards and languages,treating each other and pulling the guests each other,zhuanzhuan liquor drinking till night,visiting each others' family,swearing to be bothers,looking for relatives,sending love and friendship,helping others by oneself,asking for help and applying for a job,mutual aid among relatives and neighbors,sending and recycling money,helping others means helping yourself,the poisoning in Miao and the conjuring in Shui,and so on,this paper demonstrates the approaches and ways to communication between ethnic groups,and answers the question “why different ethnic people can cohabitate harmoniously in multi-ethnic villages.” On this basis,this paper analyzes the developmental process of internal identity mechanism in peoples in multi-ethnic villages from self-existence to self-consciousness,so as to give an ethnology interpretation for such villages and its “living wisdom.”Through the discussion on the field tales of multi-intercourse in the two peoples,this paper summarized the main causes leading to the harmonious relation in Zenlei Village: Firstly,the culture of mutual respect and trust between two peoples build the same cultural identity.The understanding of each others' cultures has developed into the appreciation of each others' cultures;Secondly,through multi-channel and unique daily intercourse,the personal friendships between the two peoples are the foundation of ethnic relationship,which breaks the ethnic boundary and builds a harmonious field in interpersonal and cross-ethnic communication;Thirdly,the two-way identification and combination of both marriage cultures embody and shape the harmonious communications between the two peoples;Fourthly,helping each others in economy guarantees to the base of ethnic harmony,and integrates the concept of sharing a common destiny and society;Fifthly,the balanced interaction of local power resolves ethnic conflicts and shapes the Zenlei community which shares multi-culture and harmony;At last,based on the different ethnic ecology,the consensus of pursuit of national identity and geographical identity promotes cross-ethnic communication and fusion,which build a complementary and symbiotic relationship between the two peoples.Based on the collection and analysis of various individual cases in the certain field of interaction between two peoples,this paper explores the basic elements and the inspiration of cross-ethnic communications and harmonious multi-ethnic groups: Firstly,the nation is the impetus and guidance of cross-ethnic harmony;secondly,the comprehensive interaction is necessary condition for cross-ethnic harmony;thirdly,the construction of identity and guarantee mechanism is the assurance to cross-ethnic harmony;fourthly,communication,intercourse and blending between peoples are the catalyst of cross-ethnic harmony.