Marriage, Face, and the Body: Human Body Health and the Body Symbols of Hui'an Woman in Southeastern China

Abstract

The body is not only a physical body but also a communicative body which constructs meaning through communication, and the human body health exerts a considerable influence on self-identity and society. The most fundamental power contained in the communicative body of human constitutes our concept and existing culture. Through in-depth interviews, this paper attempts to analyze the daily microphysical practice of Hui'an women of Xuehua Village in Southeastern China and analyze the meaning of symbol which generates from the body of Hui'an women coming and returning between the husbands' and the natal family. Because of the marriage customs of "extended natal residence marriage,"how the interaction of the human body health continues this special marriage custom and preserves the face of women in this community is shown.