The Ethnic Welfare And Construction Of Ethnic Identification

In April 2001, Henghe Tujia Ethnic Township had been established in Chongqing Wanzhou. But, its real purpose and influence is worth studying. In this paper, a comprehensive study about Henghe's cultural and social background of the application process have been conducted through a detailed investigation at Zhangjiawan village by use of both ethnology and sociology theories. The results showed that both native nationalist sentiment and people's subjective identity are concerned in the change of national identity from the Han to the Tujia ethnic. With the vigorous push and backing of local governments and elites, the most important factor is the consideration to the national welfare and economic interests rather than the objective cultural identity or the subjective ethnic identification during the process of ethnic identification.As the role of national welfare is artificially expanded, many anomaly phenomena have appeared in the progress of the formed of Henghe Tujia Ethnic Township and national identity, such as: the local government excessive interference in the process of ethnic identification, the change of national identity is fail in respected the wishes of the parties or contrary to the basic facts, and so on. Which brought many national economic interests and national welfare to Henghe town, but it has also brought many new problems, such as, the relationship change s between the people of Han and Tujia nationality, among villages and towns. The complex ethnic relations were in sharp contrast to the simplicity and honest ethnic identification after and before the founding of the nationality townships. If these problems in the subsequent work have not been properly resolved, which will inevitably led to some unnecessary negative impact to the social stability and economic development of Henghe ethnic townships.Objectively, the pursuit of national economic interest and other national welfare and the Tujia "traditional culture" creation also played an enhancing role for Henghe Tujia ethnic identity. Which strengthen the already weakened cultural differences between Han and Tujia nationality under the natalysis of traditional Henghe Tulia's national consciousness which has been seriously weaken is able to re-awakening.