Title

Ignorant People Disturb Themselves: Societal Panic and Rumors About the Selection of Xiunü in the Qing Dynasty

Author

Ch’iu, Chung-lin

Genre

Article  

Pages

419-457

Download

PDF

Language

Chinese  

Key words

Qing Dynasty, selection of Xiunü, rumor, societal panic, lower Yangtze River area, dowry

Abstract

        In the Qing Dynasty, the selection of xiunü 秀女had nothing to do with the Han Chinese, but rumors that the selection would involve Han Chinese arose nineteen times during the Qing Dynasty, including nine times during Emperor Shunzhi順治’s rule, eight times during Emperor Kangxi康熙’s rule, and one time each during Emperor Yongzhen雍正’s rule and Emperor Qianlong乾隆’s rule. The rumors began in 1656 and circulated in at least nine provinces. They arose most frequently in Jiangsu 江蘇Province, especially in Suzhou蘇州 and Songjiang松江. Perhaps the largest number of rumors circulated during Emperor Shunzhi’s rule because of unclear xiunü selection guidelines and mistrust between the Han Chinese and the Manchus. After 1661, cities garrisoned by soldiers of the Eight Banners 八旗兵 held xiunü selections once every three years. This easily led to unfounded worries among Han Chinese, and rumors started to spread. Another possible cause of worry among the Han Chinese was that local officials in Jiangsu Province had often selected Han women for their tributes to the palace. In addition, Han Chinese (especially those who lived in the lower Yangtze River area) attached great importance to dowries, and the increasing amount spent on dowries had become an explosive issue, further propelling rumors and societal panic. Once a rumor started to circulate, poor families would quickly marry off their daughters to avoid costly dowries.