The changing Xiangxi Miao marriage practices in contemporary China

This essay describes elements of Xiangxi Miao marriage practices such as courtship, wedding ceremonies, and marriages between the Miao and Han, exploring how Xiangxi Miao marriage practices changed at the turn of this century, and disclosing social influences on the changes in marriage practices. The author uses a Miao village of Zalun as a case study. Through participant observation and intensive interviews, it was found that, before 2000, Xiangxi Miaos’ courtship practices and wedding ceremonies had strict processes and reflected agricultural rhythm. In addition, there were few marriages between the Miao and Han. Since the beginning of this century, Xiangxi Miao marriage practices have changed due to socioeconomic development, population mobility, and diverse communication between Miao young women and men. Dramatic shifts in marriage practices have produced social influences among Xiangxi Miao communities. The changes in marriage practices have promoted Xiangxi Miao free marriages, advancing social cohesion and acculturation. However, these changes have also increased numbers of criminals and problems of healthy growth and education of the stay-at-home children.     

湘西高等教育有效服务“三农”的创新模式与对策

吉首大学立足湘西,面向全国,依托优势将产学研结合,大力创新,广集智慧,服务地方,有效创新了湘西高等教育服务“三农”的模式.其具体策略是实现湘西高等教育大众化,促进湘西高等教育科学化,强化湘西高等教育实用性.     

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沈从文在他的湘西小说中塑造了一系列人物形象,如少女形象、水手形象、穷汉形象。穷汉形象是沈从文二三十年代着力塑造的一批人物形象,＂穷＂不仅包括物质上的匮乏,更是精神、情感方面的缺失。穷汉们的人生理想平淡、真实,却迫于各个方面的压力而命运坎坷不平。他们的人生理想与命运变化的背道而驰触动了沈从文敏感的内心,与沈从文的人生体验一拍即合,并引发了他对生命的深沉思考。     

湘西苗族鼓舞文化意蕴的多维审视

湘西苗族鼓舞集鼓乐、舞蹈、表演于一体,是湘西苗族人民在长期生产实践活动中为适应大自然和社会环境而长期凝练出来的文化产物。从鼓舞的起源、载体变迁、内容与形式的演绎流变等方面多角度审视湘西这一独特的舞蹈艺术,其表达的原始族群精神、族群生存智慧和宗教观念、文化赋义和艺术韵意等,较典型地揭示了湘西苗族丰富而深刻的民族文化意蕴。