Research On The Relationship Betweenpatriarchal Family Culture And The Funeral Customs

Liangshan Yi People in Sichuan province has been practicing a unique patrilineal clanship for thousands of years.Patrilineal clanship was once regarded as the organization of regional regime in Liangshan as well as the basic form of social organization.The patrilineal clanship influences every aspect of Yi People's lives,especially the funeral ceremonies which were regarded as the most significant activities among Yi People.Currently,the major activity of a patrilineal clan is to organize funerals for its members,and thus playing a crucial role in Yi People's funeral traditions.Therefore,whether we analyze funeral traditions from perspective of patrilineal clanship or analyzing patrilineal clanship from perspective of funeral traditions,we would find that both of them influence and intertwined with each other.Based on folklore methodologies,this thesis analyzes the relationship between patrilineal clanship and funeral traditions in Liangshan from perspectives of Yi society and people's conception.After an in-depth research,it is discovered that the two culture phenomenon keeps a complex relation.The offerings that a clan brings to a funeral ceremony and the participation of clan members determine the scale of the funeral ceremony and its influence on the society.Meanwhile,the relations between the departed and his or her clan members decide the quality and quantity of the offerings the clan members would bring.The funeral traditions call for the whole clan members to respect its power and achieve its goals which are needed in a funeral ceremony,and each clan would display its unity and wealth to other clans through the performance at a funeral ceremony.In conclusion,the patrilineal clanship and the funeral traditions are as close as flesh and bone in Yi People's life.Meanwhile,this case in my thesis explains the relationship between specific human society and folkways.