Abstract
In the ontological thinking of the Hani people, it is considered that human existence depends on the reciprocity generated from marriage exchange between the wife-giver and wife-taker. The exchange is seen as ensuring the nourishment and protection of the human body and soul, on account of concomitant gift giving and ritual observance. In practice, it entails affinal obligations and alliances, the flow of women and gifts and reproduction of the society. With respect to the Hani funeral, its purpose if the attainment of the personhood of the deceased, by dealing with his body and soul. Culturally speaking, only married people are provided with an ideal funeral after death, with the participation of the affinal groups. To make up for the cultural inefficiency of unmarried status, the strategy of eating together is applied in the funeral of the unmarried people.