Difference and Commonality:An Exploration of the Paradigms of"Fraternal Ancestors"Legends in the Southern Tibetan-Yi Corridor
Based on the prominent plot variables of the marriages in different versions of"Fraternal Ancestors"legends widely circula-ted among the ethnic groups in the southern Tibetan-Yi Corridor,the marriage types could be classified into three distinct paradigms:a celestial marriage,a sibling marriage,and an alternating pattern of both types.According to the spread of the legends along the Ti-betan-Yi Corridor from northwest to southeast,the different paradigms of the legends approximately exhibit geographical regularities in a symmetrical sequence with the northwest and the southeast regionally in contrast with each other.Lastly,a comparative analysis of four representative versions of the alternating pattern of both types of marriage reveals that whether it is a celestial or sibling marriage,there is a repetitive flow of individuals or objects in terms of vertical and horizontal spaces,attempting to reconcile the juxtaposition of these two opposing elements.Thus,the regional variations of the legends are a result of the production,maintenance and transformation of differences and commonalities among these social groups,resolving the contradictions between the binary structures such as gender,kinship and space.The study of the evolving relationship between commonalities and differences among the ethnic groups discussed in this study offers a valuable case for further analysis in the study of the ethnic relations in China and the enhancement of the conscious-ness of the community of the Chinese nation.
enhancement of the consciousness of the community of the Chinese nationethnic relationsTibetan-Yi Corridor"Fra-ternal Ancestors"legends
NETL
NSTL
万方数据
