A Study On The Ethics Of Care In The Crying Marriage Of Hani Women

Hani nationality is one of China's ethnic groups and mainly inhabits in South of China.Hani people also spread across many countries such as Vietnam,Laos,Burma,and Thailand.Crying Marriage exists in multiple regions and nationalities.However,this ritual varies a lot in the historical and cultural development backgrounds of ethnic groups.The lives of the Hani people are closely related to music.In history,Hani people do not have the written language.Most historical and cultural traditions are recorded through songs and handed down from a generation to another generation by word of mouth.Crying Marriage Song,as one type of marriage songs in Hani nationality,holds an important position in marriage rituals of Hani people.Hani girls spontaneously learn the Crying Marriage song since they are kids.Before they are married,brides and their friends and relatives must conduct the Crying Marriage Ritual.Crying and Singing is a significant behavior for completing the whole marriage process.However,singing the Crying Marriage song is not only behavior but more importantly,conveys the background ethical significance through the way of singing and lyrics.Marriage and family are places where women find their emotional sustenance.The shift from daughters,wives,to mothers is a vital transition in women's lives.Crying Marriage is totally an important record on changes of women's family ethics and social relationships.This paper analyzes ethical significance and thoughts of Hani people presented from Crying Marriage of Biyue branch of Hani nationality in Mojiang County,Yunan province from the perspective of feminist care ethics.The first part of the paper describes the historical background,geographic background,and cultural background of Mojiang County,Yunan province in details.Based on the valuable field investigation documents provided by some scholars,the second part of the paper presents the whole marriage process of Biyue branch of Hani people,interprets the development and changes of Crying Marriage ritual by comparing the marriage form told by old people and modern young people's marriage form,analyzes the function of this ritual,and summarizes the ethics thought within.The end part of the paper shows the caringrelationship,justice principles,and caring for women in the society of Biyue branch by analyzing the connotation of Crying Marriage from the perspective of the feminist care ethics and explores the special meanings of deeper levels of care ethics for women of ethnic groups.The author hopes to present ethical meanings and phenomena behind the Crying Marriage song in various social historical backgrounds by discussing the ethical thoughts of Crying Marriage of Biyue branch of Hani ethnic group.In the situation that the social system is developing together with the ethical thoughts,the past ritual deserves more protection and study.