Social Life and Religion during the Shang Dynasty
The early dynasties ruled through family and kinship groups. Belief in ancestors presence and their continuing influence.A patriarchal society evolved out of a matrilineal one. The rise of large states brought focus on the contribution of men. The Shang dynasty was a hierarchal society which means they had a king like ruler called the emperor. The power was presented from father to son or closest male lineage. Below the emperor were the nobles; together with the emperor, they "formed the core of the ruling class". Underneath the nobility resided the common people. "The Shang period was characterized by internal division and power struggles" this lead to the numerous relocations of its capital.
Social Class Ranks
Six social classes-
TOP = Emperor and immediate relatives 2ND= Nobles (fought in kings army,provided soldiers and weapons in exchange for their military help the emperor did not interfere with their control over the land) 3rd= Craftspeople (smallest group) <bronze and jade workers,potters and stonemasons> <Bronze workers - VALUED> 4th = traders and merchants 5th=Farmers (largest group)<worked on small plots of land to grow food for the people- usually not their own land but the emperors or nobles> Bottom= Slaves-(often been captured in wars)(spent lives building public works/palaces and tombs) |
The Shang religion was a mixture of two beliefs -
animism and veneration of ancestors. "Animism is the belief that spirits inhabit all of the objects in the natural world" such as bodies of water/rocks/trees/the elements. Veneration of ancestors is the belief that the spirits of deceased family members believing that they will always continue to surround the family and they will always take a part in the lives of living relatives by influencing them. Simply, provide for dead ancestors = good fortune. "The Chinese have always been interested in their past -- worship of ancestors is worship of origins." (Heinz 1999:225) The Shang did not believe in one god, meaning they practiced a polytheistic religion. The Chinese however did believe in a powerful dragon. The Chinese also worshiped the gods of the wind, sun, clouds and moon. "The Shang also worshiped Shangdi, a great god who controlled both human destiny and the forces of nature." The Shang honored these gods with public festivals, for example the festivals in the spring were held by the farmers in the villages to ask for healthy crops and "another festival in the fall to thank the gods for a plentiful harvest." |