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

Author: Chu Jianfang
Publisher:
Publishing Time:
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 a distinctive and thought-provoking answer to these questions. The author conducts a comprehensive, detailed, and in-depth field study on the ritual life of a Dai village in Dehong, Yunnan, analyzing the economic ethics and hierarchical order of Dai sociocultural practices. The author points out that in a differentiated and stratified society, there exists a distinct reciprocity content and norm defined by the hierarchical status of the interacting parties and their corresponding needs, rights, responsibilities, and obligations. This content 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.