The life and production of the peasants in Huizhou from the late Qing Dynasty to the Republic of China: The analysis based on 5 day-to-day accounts in Wuyuan County

Abstract

The Pairizhang (day-to-day accounts) found in Huizhou were mostly written by the pupils in old-style private school. They seem similar to a dairy in some way with the activities of family members (mostly male) as the main contents. However, they differ from modern diaries in many ways. It was a common practice in Wuyuan County to keep day-to-day accounts in the late Qing Dynasty and the Republic of China. By analyzing the 5 accounts found there, many underlying facts can be revealed, such as the time allocation of the main, labor force, the composition of the peasant’s family economy, the general situation of productive activity and the days and ranges of their outdoor activity, etc. All these findings can help us have a better understanding of the peasants’ life in Huizhou at that time.

Keywords

day-to-day accounts / the late Qing Dynasty and the Republic of China / Huizhou / peasants&#8217 / daily life