Between Humans and Gods: Ritual Life, Economic Ethics, and Hierarchy in a Dai Village in Mangshi, Yunnan

Author: Chu Jianfang
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-11-01
Features: What is the fundamental order of human society? What norms, logic, and ethics do humans follow in their interactions? Through discussions on the relationship between humans and gods, this book offers distinctive and thought-provoking answers to these questions. The author conducts a comprehensive, detailed, and in-depth field study on the ritual life of a Dai ethnic village in Dehong, Yunnan, analyzing the economic ethics and hierarchical order of Dai society and culture. The author points out that in a differentiated and stratified society, there are distinct forms of reciprocity and corresponding norms defined by the hierarchical status of the interacting parties and their respective needs, rights, responsibilities, and obligations. This form and norm constitute the core morality and fundamental ethics of human social life, which the author terms "moral reciprocity." This book holds great significance for understanding the Dai society and culture in Yunnan, China, for advancing research on human gift and exchange studies, and for exploring the theories and methods of anthropological ritual research.