徽州乡镇志中所见明清民间救荒措施

明清时期,徽州一直粮食奇缺,但它有较完备的救助系统。明初,徽州主要由官府实施备荒和救荒措施,但明中叶以后官方的备荒和救荒系统趋于式微,而民间的社会救助系统逐渐发挥越来越大的社会作用,这种状况一直持续到清末民初。民间备荒行为在平时以建设义田和社仓、义仓为主,而救荒措施除了散粮赈济,还包括施药、施棺等措施。明清徽州之所以能够有效地实施民间社会救助,一方面是由于官府的奖劝作用,另一方面是由于宗族的有效组织。

The Nongovernmental Famine-relief Measures in Huizhou During the Ming and Qing Dynasties Reflected in the Local Chronicles of Huizhou Townships

There was an intact relief system in Huizhou district for its general shortage of food during the Ming and Qing dynasties.At the beginning of Ming Dynasty,relief measures were mainly issued officially by the government.But starting from the middle of the Ming dynasty,the governmental famine-relief system began to decline,and nongovernmental relief system began to play a more and more important role.This lasted until the ending of the Qing dynasty and the beginning of the Republic of China.Organized by the country gentlemen and the leaders of patriarchal clans,the nongovernmental relief system stored up grain in time of opulence,and,when famine came,it provided food,drugs and coffins for those who needed them.With the encouragement of the Ming and Qing governments and the organization of the patriarchal clans,the nongovernmental relief measures were put into practice effectively.