What kind of system is the Yi family branch system?
Patriarchal clan system established by Yi people in Xiaoliangshan, Sichuan, China and Xiaoliangshan, Ninglang, Yunnan (see patriarchal clan system).
In Liangshan Yi slave society before the founding of the People's Republic of China, this system had the shell of slave patriarchal clan system in form, and some characteristics of clan organization still existed, but in essence it has become a superstructure adapted to the slave social and economic foundation, playing the role of slave regime without unified regime.
Jiazi is called "Cuojia" or "Cuoxi" in Yi language. It is a paternal consanguineous group with the joint genealogy of father and son as the link, which prohibits intermarriage internally. In this group, with the doubling of population, it is divided into several large branches and small branches according to kinship. There are many individual families under the twigs. Family branches have certain binding force on individual families and members, but there is no dominant and subordinate relationship between family members. According to statistics, there used to be more than 130 black Yi families in Liangshan, Sichuan (see slavery of Yi people in Liangshan). The areas under the jurisdiction of the branches of men in black are different in size, population and power, but they are not subordinate to each other politically.
The Heiyi branch has no permanent ruling organization or full-time managers, but each branch has a different number of leaders, which are called "Su Yi" and "Degu" in Yi language. They were elected or appointed. Because they are proficient in customary law, good at weighing the rise and fall of class relations and family power, they can solve disputes in daily life and safeguard the ruling interests of the Heiyi people, so they are supported by the Heiyi slave owners. A knowledgeable person who can solve disputes is called "Su Yi". A person who is experienced, knowledgeable, good at rhetoric, can solve major family disputes and enjoys high prestige not only in his own family, but also in other families is called "Degu". The social status of Degu is higher than that of plain clothes. But no matter "Degu" or "Su Yi", if the dispute is not settled fairly, they will lose their prestige and leadership. Leaders have no fixed salary, no privilege over ordinary family members, and their status is not hereditary. The local Yi proverb says that "the old man is sensible and virtuous, and the child will not lead the horse", but the son of the leader has the favorable conditions to be a leader because he has been in contact since childhood, so the Yi proverb also says that "children and grandchildren are capable and always virtuous".
In addition to the head of the household, there is a family branch Council. The Committee is divided into "Gilgiti" and "Monch". Any small board meeting attended by several family members, or a meeting in which relevant family members are invited to discuss general issues, is called "gilgitie"; The meeting of all members of the family branch is called "Mengge". "Monge" is presided over by the prestigious head of the family branch in black, and all participants can express their opinions. When there is a dispute, the opinions of the boss and the elderly often play a decisive role. All matters decided by the meeting must be observed by family members.
The branch of men in black has two main functions in social life: ① The internal function is mainly to maintain the privilege and dominant position of the men in black, coordinate the balance among the families in black, strengthen internal unity, ensure the rule and exploitation of all members of the ruled class by all men in black, and suppress the resistance of slaves and laborers. (2) The external function is mainly to organize the enemy to fight, avenge the blood clan, plunder slaves, land and other property abroad, or defend against such plunder and attacks from other branches. The family branch of men in black is closely related to its members, so once the members in black are expelled from the family branch, it means losing all the rank privileges and natural protection as a branch of the family in black.
The Qunuo ethnic group and some Ajia ethnic groups in the ruled class also have their own branches, which are customarily called "Bai Yi Family Branch". Like the family branch in men in black, it is also a paternal blood group, with a pedigree of father-son naming system, as well as meetings of big and small heads and family branches. However, due to the fact that the members of the Bai Yi family branch are under the rule of different black Yi families, they generally do not have their own complete jurisdiction. Although the Bai Yi family branch can play a role in organizing its members to resist the rule of the Black Yi and protect their own interests, the members of the family branch are actually in the position of being ruled and enslaved because they are scattered under their respective masters. The leader of the Bai Yi family became a tame tool for the black Yi slave owners to exploit, suppress and plunder abroad.
Xia Xi and Aga, on the other hand, were plundered from other ethnic groups, without family support, and had the lowest social status. In the customary law of Yi people, even Trino and Aga, who have families, are allowed to have Aga and Xiaxi, who have no families. Intermarriage with or without family support will be despised by public opinion.