Chieftains Into Ancestors: Imperial Expansion and Indigenous Society in Southwest China
Author(s):
Daniels, Christian
Format:
Journal article
Citation:
The China Journal, Number 73, (2015-01). pp. 232-235.
Language:
English
Abstract:
Given the vast differences in political, social and religious organization among indigenous peoples, there are no grounds for assuming that they ever shared a common history, but the approach provides a benchmark for attempting to construct a comprehensive history of indigenous societies by taking the common experience of imperial conquest, subjugation and imposition of Chinese ritual and genealogy as a starting point for evaluating historical change. Chapter 7 by David Faure shows that the notion of patrilineal descent acquired from the Han by the Guishun Native Official in Guangxi could be utilized to challenge his legitimacy by other claimants in succession disputes; patrilineal descent became a weapon wielded by subjects in conflicts with their indigenous rulers.\n Yet one is still left wondering about the nature of indigenous society prior to the arrival of the imperial state.