Cheng Ren Li Ritual at Hualan Yao Village in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region: Symbolic Interaction and Ethnicity in the context of China's Poverty Alleviation

Abstract

This research is basic research. Using qualitative research methods, study “Cheng Ren Li Ritual at Hualan Yao Village in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region” on the issue of Symbolic Interaction and Ethnicity in the context of China's Poverty Alleviation. There are three research objectives: 1) to study the sociocultural historical development of Hualan Yao village; 2) to study the symbolic interaction of the Cheng Ren Li ritual in Hualan Yao society before China's poverty alleviation; 3) to study the symbolic change of the Cheng Ren Li ritual in Hualan Yao society in the context of China's poverty alleviation.The research results showed that the Hualan Yao village was not fixed and stagnant, but constantly changes with the social environment. The development path of the Cheng Ren Li ritual and its interaction with Hualan Yao village was a complex and multilayered process that is influenced by a variety of factors at the policy, historical, cultural, social and individual levels. The Cheng Ren Li ritual has a long history and tradition. The ritual originated from the needs of the ancient society of the Hualan Yao and signaled a shift in social status or a change in the social role of the young people. As time passes ritual develops, and preserves the Hualan Yao people, symbolically interacting with Hualan Yao society in all situations. Especially in the context of China's poverty alleviation.

Cheng Ren Li ritual at Hualan Yao Village went through four periods: First, the Cheng Ren Li ritual, as an ethnic tradition, built up the ethnicity of the Hualan Yao . It showed "who we are" and "how we are different from others". The second phase after the founding of New China, this ritual continued as before. The third phase: China entered the Cultural Revolution. This was a major cultural crisis. The Cheng Ren Li ritual was banned at this time, but was still protected and remembered by the Hualan Yao people. In the fourth stage, the Hualan Yao village entered the process of China's poverty alleviation. As China developed economically and socially, people were drawn out of the countryside into the cities to work. The social structure of the villages changed. The government's poverty alleviation policies and programs boosted the economy, education, and infrastructure of the Hualan Yao region. Hualan Yao Village has become a new type of rural village where people, especially young people, leave their village affects cultural crisis and poverty alleviation .But the Cheng Ren Li ritual also served to preserve the ethnicity of the Hualan Yao people. Mentou Village is a very good example.

Thus, the revival of the Cheng Ren Li ritual among the Hualan Yao ethnic group in the context of China's poverty alleviation. This ritual, in addition to ethnicity, is also an important ritual platform for connection, stability, and identity.This study makes us realize that rituals between ethnic groups are not only practices of faith. But it are also an important mechanism for the survival of ethnic groups and societies.

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