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Chinese clan applies to change surname
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2005-08-23 15:42
Gou Feng would either get embarrassed or enraged when people burst into
laughter upon hearing her name.
The Chinese character "Gou", which means "humble" in Chinese, unfortunately
has the same pronunciation as "dog."
Dogs may be considered man's best friend in the West, but in China "dog" is a
common insult.
"It was really embarrassing," Gou said. "My son even couldn't find a girl
friend because of his name."
But more than 50 villagers surnamed Gou at Tangzhuang Township in Dengfeng
city can now hold their heads high after reclaiming their original family name,
"Jing", meaning "respect."
The local public security bureau has allowed them to change the surname based
on making investigations by taking into account of historic facts.
The villagers' fate changed after they petitioned the city's public security
bureau in May to revert to their original family name.
The villagers complained that every generation should not have to suffer the
same stigma.
They said their ancestors were forced to change their family name from "Jing"
to "Gou" by Shi Jing-tang, a military commissioner who overthrew the late Tang
Dynasty (618-907) and founded the late Jin Dynasty (936-947).
To keep his nobility and uniqueness, the emperor coerced the villagers'
ancestors to avoid using the same character "Jing" and adopt "Gou."
"I had never heard of such a thing before," said Ma Huiqiang, director of the
public security bureau. "It sets a precedent in our bureau."
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