A Study On The Clan Of The Overseas Chinese Villages

Yangmei town is renowned as “hometown of overseas Chinese”. Su clan in Xintang village, a clan located in this village Hefeng, starting from its ancestor Zaishenggong, has been developing for a long time and enduring quite a few changes. This paper, based on materials of field work and documentation, with the methods of observation, interview and literature analysis, is going to survey the Su clan in Xintang village and discusses its origin, branches, dormancy, revival, space layout and organization as well as its activities. The on-the-spot investigation shows that Su clan in Xintang village runs a long history, during which the unique room structure, branches, close distant relationship are formed. Su clan in Xintang village has also been through a period of dormancy within the Cultural Revolution. The changes of national policies and the factors of the clan promoted the revival and development of Su. Theplane shape, wooden structure and aesthetic characteristics of Su constructions are a reflection of local customs, values and aesthetic consciousness. In addition, Su manages the clan both comprehensively and effectively through the family council and ensures its development of orderliness, harmony and stability. Activities such as combining branches,family education and construction promote the solidarity of branches on the one hand, and realize the protection of cultural heritage on the other.These are of great significance to the inheritance and protection of Chinese traditional culture.