A Research On Naxi Cremation Culture In Huayin Village, Tai’an Township, Yulong County

Funeral culture research is not a fresh topic,it is studied by more and more researchers due to i? importance in human’s life.It also become an vital part for minority culture. Through the research,we can reveal the system of belief、values and social structure of certain minority. Therefor funeral research is the key to study minority community and culture.It was recorded in many books about the cremation ceremony of Naxi nationality in Lijiang in Qing Dynasty. The researches focused on the places such as Nanxi、Baidi 、 Muli 、 Dadong and Yongning. This study choose Huayin Village,Taian Township,Yulong Naxi Autonomous County of Lijiang to investigate their funeral culture. The reason for choosing is firstly,this is the place where the cremation ceremony is well reserved. Corpse is cremated in the same location and isn’t buried.Villagers are all descendan? of one ancestor. Secondly,the cremation ceremony and the funeral songs and dances haven’t been recorded and studied yet. It is worthwhile to record and study.The theories used in this thesis are “rite of passage”and functionalist,in which the theories of linguistics、ethnology and anthropology are outlined. The fieldwork begins with literature review、interview、involvement and observation. The cremation ritual is completely recorded in this thesis. The study also analyzes the cremation ritual through the Naxi nationality’s belief of soul、dead and live,reveals cognitive structure and social structure of Naxi people in Huayin Village.This thesis consis? of six chapters.Chapter one,Introduction. An introduction to the research background and research trends in China as well as abroad,the researches on Naxi funeral ceremony by Chinese and foreign scholars. It also introduces the history 、 geography 、 the livelihood and costume of Huayin Village.In chapter two,the Naxi traditional cremation ceremony is recorded. It reveals the belief system and the value of life of the Naxi. The international phonetic symbols are used to record the cremation ceremony and funeral songs and dances,and thentranslates into Chinese.Chapter three is the main part. It classifies and demonstrates the symbolic marks of cremation ceremony,and summarizes i? symbolic meaning.In chapter four,the social function of cremation ceremony in Huayin Village is analyzed,which are integrated relationship、educational influence、self-identity and preservation.Chapter five. It reveals the development and changes of cremation culture in Huayin Village,and explains the changes due to social development.Chapter six,conclusion. It concludes the cognitive structure and functional meaning of the cremation ceremony in Huayin Village.