Spring Area And Human Settlement: A Study On The Water Culture Of Fu Xi Yao Minority Village In Nanling Corridor

Fu Xi Yao minority village,populated with both Han people and Pingdi Yao people,locates on Xiaohe Ancient Pathway of Nanling Corridor with its traditional and general characteristics of south China.Taking Fu Xi Yao minority village in Fuchuang county as the center of the study,the paper thoroughly analyzes and discusses the water culture in traditional Pingdi Yao minority society with a combined methodology of field investigation and historical document retrieval.Centered on the underground spring in the village and its water area,the study lays much emphasis on the description and research on the restrictions and influences the spring has functioned in the selection of the house sites for ancient and modern villagers,the construction of villages,the agriculture production and country living,folk religions and customs.The paper firstly analyses the influence of Fu Xi spring on the site selection of Fu Xi village,house construction,and the utilization and protection of water resources.Secondly,it focuses on the relationship between water and villagers,and the image of water culture through the discussion on the daily water facilities,buildings,water laws and taboos.Thirdly,it penetrates the deep influence of water culture on the daily life of Fu Xi villagers from the perspective of the relationship between pure water and villagers,folk religions,holidays and celebrations,etc.Fourthly,it emphasizes the adjustment of the relationships between ethnic groups,and between different people from the perspective of village regulations and non-governmental agreements reflected in the waterculture.Lastly,it concludes the cultural functions which the spring plays in coordinating five relations of “man to self,man to man,group to group,man to nature,and man to gods”,and the cultural significance the spring produces to the social life in the water area.The study researches on the dialectical relationship between human living space and spring water resources from the experience gained in the water protection in Fu Xi village and the co-existence of water culture and traditional villages,puts forward beneficial suggestions and meditations,with an aim to enlightening the ideology of the scientific utilization and protection of water resources,and to realizing the harmonious development of human and nature and the sustainable use of water resources.