A STUDY ON THE TRANSITION OF THE MIDDLE SPAN IN YAO'S RURAL HOUSES OF JIANHUA COUNTY, HUNAN PROVINCE, CHINA

Abstract

Located in the south of Hunan Province of China, Jianghua County is a densely populated district of Yao minorities. Based on data of Yao's rrural houses in Jianghua County, this paper focuses on the transition of the middle span. Houses were sorted into three groups according to building years, then the characters of each group were studied. As main features of transition, the reduction of Hou Shi, the change of doors, the functional shift of Hou Shi, and the decrease of Tang Wu's ceiling height were clarified. Finally, through the tranformation of Yao's living condition, several reasons concerning of these transitions were analysed.