关键词: 元代, 土司制度, 彝族土司, 国家认同

Abstract: The chieftain system was the organizational mode and system of local authorities adopted by the central governments of the Yuan (1279–1368), the Ming (1368–1644), the Qing (1644–1911) dynasties and the Republic of China (1912–1949) to implement their policy of “ruling the local through the local” in the border areas inhabited by minority ethnic groups. This system was first introduced in the Yuan Dynasty when the chieftains were formally integrated into the official echelons by the central government. Recognizing the central authority, or national identification, and recognizing and learning the Han culture were the prerequisites for the chieftains to obtain recognition or be officially accredited by the central government. By officially performing a role in accreditation, succession, taxation, promotion, reward, punishment, service allocation, imperial summon and education, the dynasties could strengthen the central authority and develop a sense of national identification and commitment among the chieftains. This process proved an important step for the Yi people of southwest China to enter the commonwealth of the Chinese nation.

Key words: the Yuan Dynasty, the chieftain hierarchy, chieftain system, national recognition