A Study On The Changes Of The Matrimonial Culture Of Buyi People

Based on the field investigation of Zhulin Village in Huaxi District,Guiyang City,this author investigates the matrimonial culture of Buyi people and explores the changing context of Buyi's marriage culture.By probing deeply into the standard of spouse selection,bridal chamber,different etiquettes of marriage,wedding banquet and the custom of“not living in the husband's house before the birth of the first child”.Through a detailed investigation of Zhulin Village,the local Buyi people have been interviewed by the author.The author takes three generations'marriage of the BGH family as a typical case,showing the development of Buyi's marriage culture in Huaxi District of Guiyang City in the past 50 years,which mobilizes the public to realize the significance of inheriting the Buyi culture.The author analyzes the causes of the change of the marriage culture from the aspects of economy,national policy,educational development and the influence of foreign culture,and finally the significance of the change of the marriage culture of the Buyi people in Zhulin Village.Based on the theory of cultural change in cultural anthropology,literature research and in-depth interviews,the author investigates the basic situation,marriage form and characteristics of Zhulin Village and analyzes the causes and significance of the change of matrimonial culture by means of field work.This dissertation is divided into six parts.In the introduction,the author explains the purpose and significance of this thesis,and reviews the current research of Buyi matrimonial culture.The main contents and methods of this dissertation are presented.The first chapter introduces the general situation of Zhulin Village.It mainly includes its history and natural environment,culture and education,livelihood and some important festivals.The second chapter introduces the traditional matrimonial culture of Zhulin Village.Through the typical cases investigation,the author introduces the wedding process of the Buyi and the custom of not living in the husband's house before the birth of the first child.The third chapter introduces the vicissitudes of the Buyi's matrimonial culture mainly from the aspects of spouse selection,local wedding styles,marital material consumption(such as bridal chamber,dowries and wedding presents),wedding banquets and hospitality.The fourth chapter introduces the reasons for these matrimonial culture change of Zhulin Village,which is illustrated in four aspects,namely,economy,policy,educational development and cultural notion.The conclusion summarizes the change of matrimonial culture in Zhulin Village which is mainly reflected in three aspects:1)No one is confined to family background and wealth status for choosing a spouse and similarly marriage is not necessarily arranged according to the wishes of parents.2)Inter-clan marriage has been expanded.Before the 1980s,the marriage of the Buyi in Zhulin Village mainly appeared in the form of endogamy.Since the 1980s,exogamy has increased.Especially in the 21~stt century,exogamy has increased gradually.3)Etiquettes of marriage have changed,incorporating some modern elements.With the change of society and economy,the matrimonial culture of the Buyi changes accordingly.However,each culture has its cultural inertia and still shows strong vitality.People still need to pay attention to the protection of traditional culture.To protect,inherit and carry forward the excellent traditional culture is necessary.