The Formantion And Development Of The Yongshan Xiao Clan

The Yongshan Xiao clan, developing in mountain area of the south of Fujian, was created in mid-period of the Ming dynasty in Xiayong, Nanjing County. After the development of population and resident area, the clan extended its scope and strengthened its power gradually, then began to form the one of a certain scope. However, under the influences of factors such as social history and natural environment, and after experiencing the external migration of large population, especially the large-scale migration to Taiwan Province, the clan's power was weakened sharply, and the origin clan was on the wane after its period of prosperity. But the clansman migrated to Taiwan Province, developing rapidly there, and the clan extending gradually, then became a large clan in local area. In the writer's opinion, the clan development in Taiwan Province is close related to the development of origin clan, they have carried on the organization and management basis formed in origin clan. Under the influences of the strong feeling of identity with their clan, after the external migration the clansman still do not forget pining for their homeland and mourning for their ancestors. Through the actions such as building ancestral temples and compiling family tree, people embody the true fact that blood is thicker than water among the clansman of the straits. Further, the Xiao clan, the one locating in a mountain area and being near coastal area, its development against a background of special social culture in Fujian Province, embodying its developing experience, provides social research of clan of Fujian-Taiwan with a individual case.