Hello
Does anyone know about Yizu marriage and divorce customs? Do Yunnan Yizu and Sichuan Yizu differ in their traditions? What about a dowry? I have heard that if Yizu marry then the male will give the female's family a dowry. Could be 200,000 RMB. If the woman wants to divorce then she must repay that money. How deeply entrenched are these customs? What happens if one party refuses to divorce?
Daithi
Can't answer your questions, but there will be numerous differences among Yizu in both Sichuan and Yunnan, in addition to whatever generalizations might be established for Yunnan Yizu in general vs Sichuan Yizu in general.
On the Yizu, read Steven Harrell, available at Mandarin Books.
Yeah, I lived in Chuxiong before. The government may say they are all "Yizu", but don't tell them that. If I can recall just in Yunnan alone there is something like 8 to 10 "Yizu" groups that don't consider themselves to be Yizu.
Yup, one group even celebrates their most important festival a week later than others.
The wiki is a pretty good overview.
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yi_people
Ok I get it...no useful generalisations to be had. Thx all for the input.
Daithi
