In the countryside of China, there is a special kinship known as "Wufu". It's not just a title, it's a deep blood bond. So, do you know what exactly "five suits" mean?
"Wufu" is a way of dividing blood relations in traditional Chinese society, which stipulates the distance between people. In this system, starting with a person's direct blood relatives and going back four generations, these five generations are considered the core members of a family. Relatives who are beyond this range are considered to be "not out of the five suits".
This traditional notion of kinship is particularly ingrained in rural societies. It not only affects people's social interactions, but also shapes the family structure and interpersonal relationships in the countryside to a certain extent.
The old people of Lijia Village often say: "Within five suits, it is like a family; Outside the five suits, it is like a stranger. Although this sentence is somewhat exaggerated, it vividly depicts the importance of the "five suits" in rural society.
In Lijia Village, there is an old man known as the "Third Master", who is the elder of the village and the authority in the family. Whenever there is a happy event in the village, or there is a major event in the family that needs to be discussed, everyone will always go to the third master to get an idea.
"Third master, this time the happy event at home, do you want to invite all the relatives in the five suits?" Xiao Li, a young man from the village, asked.
The third master pondered for a moment, and then said, "The relatives in the five suits are naturally invited. This is our family tradition and a respect for family affection. ”
Xiao Li nodded in understanding. He knew that in a rural society, respect for tradition and affection was very important.
However, with the development of the times, some young people have begun to question this traditional notion of kinship. They believe that in modern society, people should be more equal and free in their relationships, and should not be bound by traditional blood ties.
"I don't think it's that important. What matters is the relationship between people. Xiao Zhang, a young man in the village, said.
His views resonated with some, but others saw him as challenging tradition and disrespecting the family.
On this issue, the opinions of the village are very divided. Some people adhere to the tradition, believing that the five costumes are an important factor in maintaining family harmony; Others believe that in modern society, people should pay more attention to their personal feelings and choices.
"I know that times are changing, and so are our perceptions. However, there are some traditional things that we cannot give up easily. The third master said at a family gathering.
His words silenced some. They began to think about how to adapt to the development of modern society while respecting tradition.
In this rural society, the controversy over the "five suits" continues. But no matter what the outcome of the debate is, it cannot change the fact that in the countryside, blood ties are still one of the most important bonds in people's lives.
And for us, knowing and respecting this tradition may help us to better understand rural society and the people who live in the countryside.