村里特别的“庆生宴”——广西百色移风易俗见闻

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the transformation of birthday celebrations in a village in Guangxi, China, reflecting broader changes in rural customs and economic conditions, leading to more modest and meaningful celebrations [6]. Group 1: Changes in Celebration Practices - Traditionally, birthday celebrations in the village involved extravagant feasts costing around 20,000 to 30,000 yuan, equivalent to a villager's annual income, with significant food waste [3][4]. - The practice of giving cash gifts was common, with villagers spending over 1,000 yuan annually on such occasions, creating a culture of "human debt" [3][4]. - Recent changes have led to simpler celebrations, with villagers now giving small amounts of cash (20 yuan) along with rice in a "blessing bag," reducing overall costs significantly [4][6]. Group 2: Economic and Social Context - The village has seen an increase in average annual income, surpassing 20,000 yuan per person, due to developments in banana farming and rural tourism [4]. - The community has collectively decided to promote simpler celebrations, encapsulated in the motto "new weddings, simple funerals, and cautious celebrations" [4][6]. - The shift in celebration practices is part of a larger movement in Guangxi to reform rural customs, including revising village regulations and establishing committees to oversee social events [6].