Investigation And Research On Gift Exchange Of Xiaohuamiao In Zhijie Village,Guizhou Province

Since the beginning of Moss’ s research on the causes of return gifts,the research on gifts have since started and become a classic topic in ethnography,anthropology,sociology,economics and other disciplines.The flow of gifts has continued from ancient societies to the present day and exists in all societies.From the West to China,the research on gifts has been constantly getting new interpretations and explanations in the world’s ethnic cultures,and the theoretical achievements of academic research are abundant.Different ethnic groups have different gift exchange customs.As a branch of the Miao ethnic group,Xiaohuamiao in Zhijie Village,Guizhou Province,has a set of cultural veins behind its gifts that are compatible with them.The ethnographic description of gift exchange in different areas of Xiaohuamiao in Zhijie Village is presented to explore the cultural connotation behind the gifts and the meaningful value of gift exchange.Gift exchange is one of the important ways of exchange in human society,and Moss’ s gift exchange theory is still the basis of present-day gift research.Through field investigation,the gift exchange in various ceremonial and non-ceremonial occasions of life etiquette,festival celebrations and daily life of Xiaohhuamiao in Zjijie Village was investigated and studied.It is found that there are three types of gift exchange of Xiaohuamiao in Zhijie Village: first,the general flow of cash gifts;second,mutual labor assistance;and third,the exchange of specific gifts.Under the influence of various factors and exchange principles,the gift exchange scope of Xiaohuamiao in Zhijie Village is gradually breaking the traditional " Pattern of Difference Sequence" of Chinese rural interaction,no matter it is individual-centered or family-centered.The research results show that even today,with the tendency to gift monetization,Xiaohuamiao in Zhijie Village still actively provides labor assistance in small and large events in various areas,and engages in cyclical and elaborate gift exchanges according to the particularity of individual status.This series of gift exchange activities not only promotes the maintenance of interpersonal relationships,but also further strengthens the construction of village communities in rural areas.The village community is the main body of rural social construction and governance,and the construction of the village community provides important conditions for the construction of a harmonious village society in rural areas.Therefore,the investigation and research on the gift exchange of Xiaohuamiao in Zhijie Village,Guizhou Province is not only a unique case of gift exchange research in China,but also a typical example of the construction of rural social village community.