Becoming "Laotong"-A Special Case Study Of The Economic And Culure Of Xiayi Yao Village

From the perspective of economic anthropology and through the description of types, natures, characteristics of"Laotong"in Xiayi village, it is discussed microcosmically in this dissertation that how the custom of"Laotong"works and influences local economy.The dissertation also explains and analyzes something intrinsic of this custom,provides us a particular angle to understand peasants'economic mutual aid life in remote areas especially in minority areas.Taking Xiayi Yao village for example, this study combines participant observation, depth interview, case analysis and historical document research together to find out how the custom of"Laotong"works in the course of the local resources allocation.The study holds out that , as a kind of informal system with distinctive features, the custom of"Laotong"plays an unneglectable part for the economy development in minority areas, it is a way to allocate resources and replenish social security.To some degree, this system integrated social-cultural resources ,promoted mixture and prosperity among different nationalities.