You get a family name as soon as you're born. It's important for
personal identification, and as a tribute to one's ancestors. But
who started giving out surnames? And what were they first used for?
A festival in Henan is taking people back to their
roots.
Folks from around the country, and overseas, are drawn by the
theme -- "A Common Root". The idea for the surname is credited to
Fuxi, a legendary figure of six thousand years ago. He established
a homebase in Huaiyang County, Henan Province.
The first surnames came from the mother, not the father. They
were used to acknowledge family membership, and made settling
disputes more orderly.
The three-day event will hold ceremonies, exhibitions and
performances, through Wednesday.
(CCTV November 1, 2006)
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