In China, the most primitive and oldest genealogy is also oral. Oral genealogy has a history of thousands of years and is an important part of China genealogy culture.
In some areas of China, ethnic minorities have a strong sense of family, and the cultural customs of oral genealogy are still being inherited and preserved, such as Yi, Hani, Wa, Pumi, Lahu, Bai, Naxi and Miao. Oral genealogy is mostly linked genealogy, and the last one or two syllables of the previous generation's name are the first one or two syllables of the next generation's name, which can not only distinguish generations, but also facilitate oral transmission and memory.
The meaning of genealogy.
Genealogy has always attached great importance to the education of "self-cultivation, keeping the family in order, governing the country and leveling the world". It not only unites the kindred, but also constructs the ancient moral civilization of China to some extent. The clan rules recorded in it, such as respecting the old and loving the young, living in harmony with neighbors, putting an end to bad habits and attaching importance to farming reading, are exactly what China culture attaches most importance to, which are essentially different from the social value system constructed by religion in foreign countries.
Genealogy also has important academic value. After all, the records of official history are limited and the scope is not wide, and genealogy can be used as an effective supplement to historical research. The four levels of national history, local history, family history and personal history together constitute a complete historical material. In the past, people paid more attention to princes and princes, but genealogy turned its attention to ordinary people, which was of great help to the study of folk customs, national migration, economic development and social science.