从连南瑶族自治县看瑶族乡村婚俗变迁

A Study on the Transformation of Yao Rural Marriage Customs from the Perspective of Liannan Yao Autonomous County

Since the founding of the People’s Republic of China, the Liannan Yao area has undergone tremendous changes, and its marriage customs have also experienced profound transformations. As an important settlement of the Yao ethnic group in Guangdong, Liannan’s traditional Yao marriage customs have long been characterized by closure, uniformity, and strong continuity. Research shows that, in terms of marital concepts, the scope of intermarriage has continuously expanded, inter-ethnic marriages have increased, and criteria for mate selection have shifted from emphasizing family background to valuing personal qualities. The age of first marriage has been postponed, and the decision-making power over marriage has gradually shifted from parents to the younger generation, indicating a rise in marital autonomy. In terms of marriage rituals, wedding expenses have increased, while the procedures and duration required for the ceremonies have shortened. The transformation of Yao marriage customs in Liannan reflects a shift from conservatism and closure toward openness, aligning with the demands of the times and carrying epoch-making significance. The reasons for these changes include the promulgation of marriage laws, shifts in livelihood patterns, and the influence of cultural and educational development. Overall, the transformation of marriage customs among the Liannan Yao has promoted gender equality, facilitated the elimination of feudal practices, and enhanced ethnic unity.

建国以来连南瑶族地区发生了翻天覆地的变化，婚姻习俗也发生着深刻的变迁。广东连南作为瑶族重要聚集区。连南瑶族传统婚俗具有封闭性、单一性、传承性特点。经过研究发现，连南瑶族婚俗在婚姻观念上：通婚圈不断扩大，族际通婚现象增多，择偶观念也从重视门第转向重视人的良好品质，初婚的年龄也有所延迟，婚姻的决定权开始由父母转向子女，即婚姻的自主性得到进一步增强。在婚姻礼仪上：婚礼花费增多，婚礼仪式所需的流程与时间缩短。连南瑶族婚姻变迁呈现出了从封闭保守走向开放的特点，在一定程度上顺应了时代的要求，具有划时代的意义。而其婚俗的变迁的原因包括婚姻的颁布、生计方式的转变、文化教育的影响等，从结果上看连南瑶族婚姻变迁促进了男女平等、促使封建陋习的革除、推动民族的团结等价值。