A Study Of Associations In Folk Beliefs Under Modern Social Order

Based on the fieldwork and literature reading as the main source, the dissertation combines scientific methods used in the study of ethnology,anthropology and folklore. Relying on folk belief to do connection, civil organization is the research object. To hope to form communication with the theory and method of culture change, great tradition and little tradition, the paper makes a systematic research into the complex correlation and interaction involved in historical and realistic layers about organization structure, ceremony function of civil organization of She County and social structure of members of civil organization.She County is well known for Wahuang Palace which is one of the five holy lands of ancestor worship to sacrifice to Nvwa in China. As organizer and performer of fete ceremony in rural community, civil organizations are slowly rebuilding in a open environment. Mountain Temples, Guanyin Temples and Nvwa Temples are located in every Village of Suobu Town, She County. The villagers get together to worship the gods and pray.In the Ming and Qing Dynasties, squires and officials took the lead to rebuild temples, which was recorded in the inscriptions and built a collective order at that time. Since the 20th century, different uppers attitudes towards the folk beliefs have changed several times, which affected people’s concept and behavior from the upper to the lower. Supporting for the supernatural in the folk beliefs helped to maintain the old ethical political orders. While the requirements of modern society made folk belief lost power and influence. Especially since the early 21st century, the concept of intangible cultural heritage came to the public view of China, and Chinese society began to rethink the traditional culture.Civil organizations of Tanyin, Qujiao and Tang Wangjiao restore fete ceremony for Nvwa and god of mountains gradually with the help of cultural sectors. Nvwa sacrifice and the sacred music for Nvwa have become the representatives of intangible cultural heritage and got the protection of system.Unlike Tanyin, other civil organizations and the village committees are inseparable. The civil organization of Tanyin is a spontaneous and loose organization. The main organizers are engaged in construction business, the building materials business,and retired village cadres. The importance of capital accumulation and strong calling to the leaders are obvious. Despite the equal relationship and fiscal transparency in the organization, the blood relationship and resources determine the division of labor. The organization is still lack of institutionalized and democratic management. The new social moral order need the foundation of traditional culture. Combining with the spirit of Nvwa as ancestor is the unique construction in this region. The local government hopes to build Wahuang Palace brand to develop the tourism industry and cultural industry. On this account, they hope to transform the economic development model and make the tourism become a pillar industry of the surrounding counties.The sense of honor as a cultural leader and inheritor of intangible cultural heritage provide power for the leader of civil organization. For the collective interests the leaders with no political power could take more organization functions. The traditionally sacrificial rituals is taken seriously by the elite gradually. They instill "Great tradition" which comes from the local cultural elements to civilians. As the organizers of folk sacrifice power and intangible cultural heritage, civil organization get more performance opportunities with the support of cultural departments. The interactive communication of the two sides is not equal. The cultural elements relating to folk beliefs do not have orderly form. Civilians are lack of awareness of the value in the excellent traditional culture and folk belief. With the weakened impact of natural disasters on public and the government’s guidance on education, for the purpose of sacrifice to the gods in the past, the collective interests of members have fade gradually. The civil organization has one more identity as the performer of traditional culture. In addition,information occlusion, shortage of funds are still bothering the future development of the civil organization.