Settlement, Space And Society--Research On The Traditional Houses Of Yaohua In Hunan

The living house has been a classical subject of anthropology,but the traditional living house of Yao ethnic groups has been received much less attention. In this paper, through the analysis of the traditional living house's form,construction, use and inheritance, the author reveals that Jianghua Yao ethnic group do not only to live on physical space, but also independent of social reproduction space. Their space structure has the characteristic of cluster type and social nature. In the Jianghua Yao ethnic group of society, they see house as a living individual and pay attention to order structure. Their kinship and the social network of establishment and practice is to house for traceability principle. The way in which they construct and sustain house has a profound impact on the structure and function of society.In this paper,the living house as a starting point to examine the Jianghua Yao ethnic group inherent characteristics and socio-cultural change process, so as to obtain understanding of Yao ethnic group house and social structure. On the settlement characteristics of Jianghua Yao ethnic group is "big scattered, small focus" with family surname of small settlements. The living house Jianghua Yao of space is the result of the ecological environment, livelihood patterns, social and cultural interaction continued, the barrier of space resulted in the development of inward home.The living house building is also a variety of social relations adjustment and consolidation of the results, internal space layout under the influence of religious culture and economic conditions,contains rich ethical view, view of the universe, the rank and so on many cultural connotations. The living house of Jianghua Yao ethnic groups in east region has been influenced less by Han Yao house rules and etiquette system,The pattern of the living house is relative freedom and flexibility, The living house in west region without significant difference between Han houses. From the point of the function of the living house of Jianghua Yao ethnic groups is the media,both with social groups and groups of relatives. In order to adapt to the new relocation environment, the Jianghua Yao ethnic group takes "amphibious" swinging lifestyle ofsurvival strategies. By a large number of examples show that market-oriented operation mechanism in fir production process of the Jianghua Yao ethnic group, fully reflects the weak nations of the capitalist mode of production "gentle confrontation".