Abstract
The Chinese lineage organization has the characteristic of repeating dispersion and
integration. Based on the structure “Fang”, the relatives are dispersed, and integrated by
ancestral worship. However, in addition to integrating the relatives, the ancestor worship also
has the function of strengthen the lineage organization and strengthening the social status of
the relatives, in which process the differences in economic and political power within the
relatives are also emphasized at the same time. Therefore, people who do not possess those
power are often excluded.
Examining the case of Fujian province village this paper considers how these excluded
members maintains relationships with lineage organizations, this paper is a case study of
Fujian Province Chencuo village. As a result, it is suggested that the exclusion problem in
ancestral worship is alleviated by popular religion. Relatives in Chencuo village are integrated
through the “Youshensaihui (festival for popular religion)” because Weng Taishi (lineage
organization’s god)” is worshiped by the whole relatives in the village, accompanied by other
“Fang’s gods” which are worshiped by every household. Thus, in the religious society, it was
considered that ancestor worship and popular religion occasion have complementary
functions to integrate the lineage organization based on the structure of “Fang”.
In contemporary Chinese society, ancestral worship and popular religion are important
two paths to expand social relations with overseas Chinese. Therefore, it is necessary to
understand the social function of ancestral worship and popular religion again. Furthermore,
by understanding the mutual function of these two ritual ceremonies, we believe that it is
possible to provide a new viewpoint to capture the social position of private faith.
