essay
'Fat pigs' and women's gifts: agnatic and non-agnatic social support in Kaixiangong village
women of china • New York • Published In 1999 • Pages: 156-174
By: Chang, Xiangqun.
Abstract
This is a study of non-agnatic support networks and exchange in the village of Kaixiangong. Nearly three-quarters of a household's contacts for social support come from non-agnatic kin, compared to households in surrounding villages which have less than half as many such contacts. The author describes the different kinds of marriage arrangements, gift exchanges, and mutual aid found between in-laws. According to one informant, maintaining such networks is like "fattening pigs." Although, pigs are not profitable in terms of labor expenditure, they do provide manure for crops, meat for feasts, and can be sold for needed cash in times of emergency. Similarly, locals argue that non-agnatic kin are a form of banking and insurance.
- Region
- Asia
- Sub Region
- East Asia
- Document Type
- essay
- Evaluation
- Creator Type
- Ethnologist
- Document Rating
- 4: Excellent Secondary Data
- 5: Excellent Primary Data
- Analyst
- Ian Skoggard; 2019
- Field Date
- 1996
- Coverage Date
- 1991-1996
- Coverage Place
- Kaixiangong, Wujiang, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Notes
- Chang Xiangqun
- Includes bibliographical references (p. 173-174)
- LCCN
- 99020111
- LCSH
- Yangtze Valley--Social life and customs
- Yangtze Valley--Economic conditions
- Villages--China--Yangtze River Valley